The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education seeks to fund FY2021 competitive federal funded planning grants to facilitate collaboration between correctional institutions1; community corrections; career and technical education (CTE) providers; and local area employers in planning the design or redesign of career and technical education programs2 to include both distance learning3 and transition support services that are informed by evidence-based practices in re-entry4.
To support the planning of career & technical education programs that prepare returning citizens to succeed in CORI-neutral, in-demand career pathways that offer a sustainable living wage and: (a.) can be delivered fully, or in part, via distance learning5 and (b.) include transition support services before and after release.
Competitive priority will be given to planning grant applicants that demonstrate:
strategic recruitment and cohort determination yielding at least one cohort of ten or more students who can begin the CTE program while committed and, when necessary, complete it post-release.
capacity and commitment to support distance learning and transition support services, pre and post release.
consultation with local area employers and local area MassHire workforce partners to determine labor market demand6, CORI neutrality, and entry-level wages for graduates of the CTE program.
Successful planning grant recipients must submit a final plan that demonstrates clear alignment with grant priorities and Perkins V requirements in order to be eligible for an FY2022 competitive implementation grant.
Massachusetts correctional institutions (see footnote 1), or local area providers7 that can demonstrate past performance in the design and delivery of career and technical education programs for individuals in correctional institutions.
Federal CFDA: 84.425
Approximately $80,000 in Perkins funding is available for one to eight planning grant awards ranging from approximately $5,000 to $15,000. Subject to federal appropriation, awards will be based on the quality of the programs proposed.
Approximately $200,000 will be available in FY2022 to support one or more competitive implementation grants which can be renewed for another year based on satisfactory program performance. A minimum of 5% of the program budget (direct or optional match) must be used to provide professional development in the planning (e.g., technology platform training, curriculum development) and/or implementation of distance learning.
Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding becomes available it will be distributed under the same guidelines that appear in this RFP document.
Funds must be used to support collaboration, planning, and/or research and the development of monthly deliverables (described in required information). These costs may include:
Stipends
Consultant fees and honorariums
Subscription costs for online video conferencing platforms (e.g., Zoom)
Note: The Perkins grant 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 5%, unless your calculated indirect cost rate is less than 5%, then 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.
Upon Approval – 8/31/2021
Note: Applicants that are awarded a planning grant who then move on to be awarded a competitive implementation grant in FY 2022, may be eligible for a continuation grant in FY 2023, subject to satisfactory performance in FY2022; and the appropriation of federal funds and continuance of federal authoring legislation.
Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS)
Karen DeCoster
All inquiries must be submitted by email to Karen DeCoster by December 23, 2020. All answers will be posted to the ACLS website.
Bidders' Conference: A Bidders' Conference will be held via Zoom on Thursday December 17, 2020 from 11–1. Please email Karen DeCoster for the Zoom link and password.
Proposals must be received by email by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 15, 2021.
Planning Grant Narrative Template
Note: In addition to the Planning Grant Narrative, ACLS will provide grant recipients with 4 "planning templates" to be completed and submitted each month. These templates (required deliverables) will be due based on an agreed upon schedule. Feedback and recommendations will be provided each month by a team of reviewers from ACLS and OCCTE, as follows:
Submit all required documents by email to Karen DeCoster by 5:00 p.m. on January 15, 2021.
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 for submitting in EdGrants.
1 Any building, enclosure, space or structure used for the custody, control and rehabilitation of committed offenders and of such other persons as may be placed in custody therein in accordance with law. (Massachusetts definition per MADOC's Policy, Development & Compliance Unit)
2 In accordance with the Perkins Checklist
3 a combination of actual (face-to-face) contact and contact through telephone, video, teleconference or online communication, where student and program staff can interact, and through which learner identify is verifiable. (OCTAE's 2016 NRS Implementation Guidelines)
4 E.g., Rated Practices
5 due to ongoing health and safety protocols due to COVID-19 that prevent or limit in-person instruction
6 Based on Regional Labor Market Blueprints, updated for 2020
7 Local area education or training providers (e.g., vocational HS, community college)
Last Updated: November 30, 2020
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
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