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Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2018

Community Adult Learning Centers (Competitive)
Fund Code: 345

Purpose:	The purpose of this competitive grant program is to establish free access for eligible undereducated adults, age 16 and older, to highly effective adult basic education services in the Dudley Square area of Roxbury and/or to offer highly effective English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services to limited English proficient adults, preferably within or close to the South End area of Roxbury. These services must be delivered within the Boston Workforce Development region.
Priorities:	This RFP offers two options: The first option, Option One, is to deliver ABE services and the second option, Option Two is to deliver ESOL services. Option One: provide eligible adult participants with a continuum of high quality instructional and support services below the postsecondary level, from basic literacy through the skill level expected of a high school graduate; provide a highly qualified staff who (a) have mastery of the content they teach, (b) are prepared to employ effective teaching methods based on research and evidence based practice, and (c) are prepared to implement ABE instruction in mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA) aligned to the College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education (CCRSAE) CCRSAE. ABE curriculum and instruction must reflect the instructional shifts and align at all levels with the CCRSAE levels A through D-E; provide services of sufficient intensity and duration to effectively assist adults to develop the academic and other college and career-readiness skills needed to successfully transition to post-secondary education or training and stable employment that provides a family-sustaining wage; provide instructional, advising, and other support services based on students' needs and strengths with regard to college and career readiness; and demonstrate capacity to contribute to a system of education and workforce services that supports career pathway development aligned with regional employment needs while providing adults with guidance and support to advance within those pathways. Option Two deliver English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services; and provide services of sufficient intensity and duration to effectively assist adults to develop the academic and other college and career-readiness skills needed to successfully transition to post-secondary education or training and stable employment that provides a family-sustaining wage; provide instructional, advising, and other support services based on students' needs and strengths with regard to college and career readiness; and demonstrate capacity to contribute to a system of education and workforce services that supports career pathway development aligned with regional employment needs while providing adults with guidance and support to advance within those pathways.
Eligibility:	Eligible applicants may apply for both Options One and Two or one of the options. Option One Eligible applicants for Option One are current recipients of ACLS-funded Community Adult Learning Centers grants (Fund Codes 340 or 345) currently delivering a sequence or part of a sequence of ABE services (GLE 0-11.9 ) in Roxbury preferably within or close to the Dudley Square area of Roxbury. Option Two Eligible applicants for Option Two are current recipients of ACLS-funded Community Adult Learning Centers grants (Fund Codes 340 or 345) currently delivering a sequence or part of a sequence of ESOL services preferably within or close to the South End area of Roxbury.
Funding Type:	State
Funding:	Approximately $167,953 is set aside for Option One (ABE) Approximately $75,000 is set aside for Option Two (ESOL)
Fund Use:	Option One Funds may be used with Option One to deliver ABE services in the Dudley Square area of Roxbury designed in accordance with the FY 2015 Massachusetts Guidelines for Effective Adult Basic Education): Adult education and literacy services, including Adult Basic Education/literacy, pre-adult secondary education, and adult secondary education including preparation for the HiSET, the GED and/or an adult diploma; Eligible students are individuals who: have attained 16 years of age, and are not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under state law, and who either: lack sufficient mastery of basic educational skills to enable the individuals to function effectively in society, or do not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and have not achieved an equivalent level of education. Option One Space: The Department will support a percentage of the cost of the space used for the Community Adult Learning Center grant activities. Cost must be proportionate to the Department-funded grant program's usage of the space. The proportion charged to the grant must be fully documented. Contact Dennis Donovan at dennis_donovan@rcab.org for details regarding the rental costs for the classroom space at 117 Mt Pleasant Ave, Roxbury. Option One Student Transportation: Funds may cover a portion of student transportation to and from the instructional services. Public transportation is an allowable cost. Documentation regarding the use of transportation funds is required. Direct cash payments to students are not an allowable expenditure. Option Two Funds may be used with Option Two to deliver ESOL services preferably in the South End area of Roxbury designed in accordance with the FY 2015 Massachusetts Guidelines for Effective Adult Basic Education): English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services, including pre-literacy ESOL Eligible students are individuals who: have attained 16 years of age, and are not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under state law: The following applies for both Option One and Option Two Not less than 75 percent of funds must be spent on adult basic education direct services; not more than 25 percent may be spent on administrative costs, including indirect costs. Agencies with an approved federal indirect cost rate shall not receive more than an 8% indirect rate for adult education programs. Agencies with an ESE-approved indirect cost rate (IDC) shall not receive more than a 5% indirect rate for adult education programs. The total of direct and indirect costs may not exceed the total grant award. In lieu of charging for indirect costs, grantees that provide an appropriate and detailed allocation of agency wide costs to their grant programs may receive DESE approval to include them as direct costs. Option Two Space: The Department will support a percentage of the cost of the space used for the Community Adult Learning Center grant activities. Cost must be proportionate to the Department-funded grant program's usage of the space. The proportion charged to the grant must be fully documented. Option Two Student Transportation: Funds may cover a portion of student transportation to and from the instructional services. Public transportation is an allowable cost. Documentation regarding the use of transportation funds is required. Direct cash payments to students are not an allowable expenditure.
Funding Type:	State Funding
Project Duration:	Upon approval through 6/30/18 (state-funded - Fund Code: 345); not renewable.
Program Unit:	Adult and Community Learning Services
Contact:	All inquiries must be submitted in writing to ABERFP@doe.mass.edu; all answers will be posted to the Adult and Community Services webpage. Suzanne Speciale
Phone Number:	(781) 338-6351
Date Due:	Friday June 16, 2017 Proposals must be received at the Department by 3:00 p.m. on the date due.
Intent to Bid:	Submit an e-mail notice of Intent to Bid to Barbara Pope by Friday June 2, 2017. Although Intent to Bid notice is not required, applicants are encouraged to send a notice of intent to bid for one or both options.
Additional Information:	College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education No match is required for Option One. No match is required for Option Two. Letter from ABE Administrator Budget Narrative Sample
Subject to Appropriation:	The appropriation listed here is subject to change. DESE will inform the applicant as soon as possible if the grant award changes.
Required Forms:	Part I - General - Program Unit Signature Page - (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants) Part II - Budget Documents: Budget Pages Budget Narrative No match is required No Schedule B is required Part III - Required Narrative Responses aligned with selected Options (Option One, Option Two or both options) FY 2018 Statement of Assurances for Adult Basic Education Instructional Grants SMARTT Administrative Cost Worksheet Worksheet showing costs do not exceed the 25% cap - (submit hard copy signed in blue ink by ABE Director) Appendix A. Completed Director and Teaching Qualifications Form, and current job descriptions for all key staff positions. Include minimum required qualifications. Appendix B. Copy of the agency's latest completed audit report. Statement of Assurances
Submission Instructions:	Submit three (3) sets of the application each with the original signature in blue ink of the Superintendent/Executive Director/President. Mail to: Barbara Pope, Office Coordinator Adult and Community Learning Services Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 75 Pleasant Street 3rdFloor Malden, MA 02148-4906 Awarded Recipients: Upon award, recipients will be required to enter the approved budget and Part I in EdGrants. Once selected, recipients will be contacted with further instructions on the process.