FY2023: Adult Education Services — Capacity Building (Targeted)

Fund Code: 345

Purpose:

The purpose of this targeted grant is to provide capacity building resources for programs currently funded to provide ABE, ESOL, ADP and other related adult education services to adult learners beginning in FY24. Applicants who have been awarded an FY24 grant for these services are also eligible to apply.

Priorities:

Priorities for this grant include, but are not limited to:

• Creating and implementing strategies to prioritize and intentionally serve students traditionally underrepresented in adult education, including those who are first in their family to go to college, students of color, English language learners, students with disabilities, low-income students.
• Creating thoughtful academic pathways focused to meet industry areas identified in the FY22-FY25 WIOA 4-Year Local Plans of the 16 Massachusetts workforce regions.
• Creating widespread and supportive college-going culture, particularly among student populations underrepresented in higher education.
• Creating redesigned schedules that allow program participants to onboard to adult education programs, pursue foundational skill development, digital literacy skills, and access academic supports.
• Building out academic and career advising and activities to foster participation in postsecondary, training and career goal attainment.
• Building out career activities which allow students to relate adult education curriculum to potential careers.
• Supporting professional development opportunities for faculty and staff to ensure equitable access in programs and develop strong digital literacy and foundational skills development throughout all levels of instruction.

Eligibility:

Each grant recipient with awarded grant funds beginning in FY24 listed below is eligible for up $100,000 :

1. Bridge Over Troubled Waters
2. Catholic Charities Lynn
3. Framingham Public Schools Worcester
4. Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, Inc.
5. Springfield Public Schools
6. Essex County Sheriff's Dept.

Funding Type:

State

Funding:

Approximately $600,000 is available through this FY23 grant.

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.

Fund Use:

Targeted funds from the state will be used to support adult education services Allowable funding expenses may include but are not limited to:

• Program administration and coordination.
• Curricular development.
• Engagement with MassHire boards and industry.
• Providing work-based learning opportunities for students.
• Professional development.
• Instructional-related supplies and materials.
• High quality college and career advising development embedded program design.
• Technology including software and hardware.

Project Duration:

Upon Approval* – 06/30/2023

* Grant start date cannot be prior to DESE receiving a substantially approvable Application Submission as directed in this RFP's Submission Instructions. Goods and Services cannot be procured prior to Grants receiving and approving an application submission. Funds cannot exceed the project duration end date.

Program Unit:

Adult and Community Learning Services

Contact:

Wyvonne Stevens-Carter

Phone Number:

(781) 338-3835

Date Due:

Friday, March 10, 2023

Required Forms:

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

• Part II — Budget — Entered directly in EdGrants

• Part III — Narrative Responses

Submission Instructions:

Submit all required grant materials through EdGrants.

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

• FY23 345 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 Superintendent/CEO/Owner's 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, Information and Trainings.

Please note: It is up to the district 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: February 22, 2023