FY2020: Adult Education: Distance Learning Instructional Hub

Fund Code: 669

Purpose:

The purpose of this continuation grant program is to establish and support a Distance Learning (DL) Instructional Hub in order to increase access to and the intensity of educational services for eligible adult learners and strengthen their technology skills in preparation for college and careers.

Priorities:

The priority is to support a DL Instructional Hub that:

1. provides online instruction through collaboration and implementation of DL services with Community Adult Learning Centers (CALCs);

2. provides online instruction and implementation of DL services to students in participating CALCs based on best practices derived from the most rigorous, scientifically valid research available and effective educational practice;

3. increases access to services for individuals on a CALC waitlist;

4. maintains a minimum of 14 Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) that articulate the roles and responsibilities of the participating Hub and CALCs to jointly support DL services to students;

5. serves and maintains an enrollment of 100 active students monthly;

6. helps students become college and career ready in order to reach one or more next steps, including transitioning into post-secondary education, becoming job ready, obtaining employment, and accessing occupational training;

7. engages in data-based continuous improvement planning to enhance the quality of services provided and meet performance outcomes; and

8. maintains alignment with the Local Plan Packages in the Workforce Development areas where collaborating CALCs are located.

Eligibility:

FY2020 is the first continuation year of the funding cycle. The recipient awarded funding in the FY2019 open and competitive funding process is eligible to apply.

Funding Type:

Federal CFDA: 84.002

Funding:

Table 1

Funding is contingent upon satisfactory performance, the appropriation of state and federal funds, and the continuance of federal authorizing legislation. All dollar amounts listed in Table 1 are estimated/approximate and are subject to change.

Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding is to become available it will be distributed under the same guideline as listed in the initial RFP document.

Fund Use:

Funds must be used to operate a DL Instructional Hub program that provides adult education DL instruction and related services in both of the following categories:

• Adult education at GLE 6.0 through skills expected of a high school student, and/or
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services, SPL 2.0 and higher.

Funds must be used in accordance with the FY20-22 Massachusetts Policies for Effective Adult Education in Community Adult Learning Centers and Correctional Institutions.

Not less than 95 percent of funds must be spent on adult education direct services and literacy activities; not more than 5 percent may be spent on administrative costs (related to planning, administration, (including carrying out performance accountability requirements), professional development, providing adult education and literacy services in alignment with local workforce plans, carrying out one-stop partner responsibilities, and state approved indirect costs charged to the grant.

Programs may negotiate a higher administrative cost percentage by submitting a written request and rationale with application. The state will not grant administrative cost requests that exceed 25% of grant funds (state requirement).

The Adult Education Services is a restricted rate program that is subject to a statutory "supplement not supplant" restriction. Grantees are required to use a restricted indirect cost rate of 8%, unless your calculated indirect cost rate is less than 8%, than you must use the lower rate for your budget. If you have an approved negotiated federal indirect cost rate, it must be submitted to DESE. If you do not have an approved indirect cost rate agreement, you must apply annually to DESE for an approved indirect cost rate. The indirect cost rate is calculated using costs specified in the grantee's indirect cost plan. Those specified costs may not be charged as direct costs to the grant or to any other grant under any circumstances.

Project Duration:

Upon Approval (no earlier than 9/1/2019) through 8/31/2020

Program Unit:

Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS)

Contact:

Joan LeMarbre

Phone Number:

(781) 338-3842

Date Due:

Friday, June 7, 2019 by 3:00 p.m.

Applicants who are state agencies (i.e., state and community colleges, County Houses of Correction) require an ISA process to issue these funds. The ISA process can take 4 – 6 weeks as it flows through DESE as well as other state financial offices before it is final. To avoid disruptions in spending, Applicants who require an ISA should expect to submit their grant by May 17, 2019 to avoid delays in receiving funds.

Required Forms:

These required forms must be submitted online through EdGrants.

Part I — General — Program Unit Signature Page — (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants)

 

Detailed, line item budget narrative (designed by applicant)

 

Detailed, line item match narrative (designed by applicant)

Schedule B — Cost Sharing or Matching Schedule

Part III — Required Program Information

FY2020 Fund Code 669 Statement of Assurances

General Education Protection Act (GEPA) form

ISA Budget / EdGrants Budget Crosswalk (only for entities who require ISAs).

Additional Information:

Letter from AE Director

Negotiation Admin Cost Form (if needed)

This information is intended for state entities who require ISAs as part of their grant award process. Not intended for Private or Community Based Organizations.

ISA process timeline

MA Expenditure Classification Handbook

 

MA Comptroller's Office Fringe Information

ISA and EdGrants Amendment Requirements

Submission Instructions:

Submit all required grant materials through EdGrants.

In EdGrants, applicants are required to create and name the project. Please use the following naming convention for your "Applicant Project Name" in EdGrants:

FY20 FC669 DL Instructional Hub (Applicant Name)

All items listed under the required forms section of this RFP should be uploaded / attached in the Attachments List formlet of the Application Submission in EdGrants. This includes a signed / scanned PDF of Part I / Coversheet with CEO/Superintendent/Executive Director signature. The final budget the applicant is requesting will be entered directly into EdGrants as part of the application submission process.

For Guidance Documents regarding EdGrants, visit EdGrants: User Guides and Information.

Please note: It is up to the applicant to determine who they want to add as EdGrants Front Office users in order to submit grant application as well as payment request information. Please review the EdGrants: User Security Controls to make informed decisions regarding assigning your district level users.

Last Updated: May 14, 2019