Notice of Funding Opportunity
State Agency Name: Iowa Workforce Development
Funding Opportunity Title: Coronavirus Relief Fund Earn and Learn Grant
Announcement Type: Initial
CFDA Number (if applicable): Not applicable
Awardees: Notice of Intent to Award Information
Important Dates
- Deadline: Applications for the funds are due by Tuesday, October 27, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time.
- Application Notification: A Notice of Intent to Award will be posted on the Future Ready Iowa website: https://www.futurereadyiowa.gov/earn-learn-grants
Program Description
1. Purpose
The purpose of the Coronavirus Relief Fund Earn and Learn Grant Awards is to:
- Support the creation and expansion of short-term “earn and learn” training programs resulting in industry-recognized credentials by providing grants for the purchase of equipment, tools, simulators, related training instruction materials, updated curriculum, tuition, books, wrap-around services to support participants during the grant period (internet access, childcare, transportation, stipends etc.), or other necessary items to provide for on-line learning as well as hands-on learning when necessary and safe.
- Expand opportunities for Iowans whose employment has been affected or eliminated because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Eligible applicants for the Earn and Learn Grant Awards include non-profits, adult-training providers including but not limited to post-secondary education institutions and unions, and small businesses with less than 50 employees. Applicants, organizations, programs or other entities that have previously received Coronavirus relief funding via the Coronavirus Relief Fund including the Employer Innovation Fund or either of the Registered Apprenticeship Incentive Funds, are not eligible to apply for this program. This fund will award competitive grants to support local initiatives that accelerate the creation and expansion of short-term “earn and learn” training programs resulting in industry-recognized credentials for Iowans whose employment has been affected or eliminated by the pandemic. Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) is seeking applicants that meet the applicant criteria and can work in an expedited fashion to expend the funds by December 31, 2020 and begin new or enhanced programs that provide training opportunities in early 2021, but not later than February 28, 2021.
First Amendment to this Notice of Funding effective 10/21/2020:
1. Eligible applicants shall now include Iowa secondary schools and high schools, to the extent that they meet all other eligibility factors.
a. Applicant entities and programs must impact participants whose employment has been affected or eliminated because of the Coronavirus pandemic as contemplated by the federal CARES Act.
b. Registered apprenticeship programs that have been impacted or eliminated due to the COVID-19 pandemic shall be deemed employment for the purposes of consideration under this Notice.
2. Entities that have received previous awards under the Coronavirus Relief Fund are eligible to apply for the Earn and Learn Grant, but in no case shall cumulative awards exceed $250,000.
3. An award under a previous Coronavirus Relief Fund grant does not guarantee an award under the Earn and Learn Grant.
The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity is to solicit applications that will enable IWD to award funding to support the goals of the Coronavirus Relief Fund Earn and Learn Grants and Future Ready Iowa to accelerate Iowa’s recovery from the pandemic.
2. Program Funding Requirements
IWD seeks to prioritize the investment of resources in the following areas:
- Creation or expansion of “earn and learn” training programs within Iowa including non-profit organizations, adult-training providers including but not limited to post-secondary education institutions and unions, and small businesses with less than 50 employees. Priority will be given to programs resulting in an industry-recognized credential related to high-demand jobs.
- Recruitment and enrollment of Iowans whose jobs have been affected by or eliminated because of the coronavirus pandemic.
- Participants must be enrolled in the training program by February 28, 2021.
3. Performance Measures
All applications must include performance measures that logically connect a project’s goal(s) with proposed activities. Performance measures should include whether the expected results were achieved.
4. Program Authority
IWD’s authority to award the grants may found in the CARES Act as delegated by Governor Kim Reynolds pursuant to her authority under the same Act. The framework for the receipt and evaluation of the grants is as provided under the Future Ready Iowa Act.
5. Definitions
Earn and Learn program: A training program that is an employer-driven model, combining on-the-job learning with related classroom instruction that results in an industry-recognized credential and allows the participant to earn a paycheck beginning and throughout the training period
High-demand job: For purposes of this funding opportunity, a job identified by the workforce development board or a community college pursuant to Iowa Code §84A.1B, subsection 13A, or a job linked to locally identified high demand jobs as demonstrated by statewide or regional data.
Outcome: A type of performance measure that indicates progress toward achieving the intended result of a program and usually represents a change in the situation of beneficiaries of a service, such as completing a training program or securing employment upon completion of training provided.
Post-secondary education institution: An institution under the control of the state board of regents, a community college established under Iowa Code chapter 260C, or an accredited private institution as defined in Iowa Code section 261.9, subsection 1.
Union: An organization formed to negotiate with employers, on behalf of workers collectively, about job-related issues such as salary, benefits, hours, and working conditions.
Small Business: Less than 50 employees.
Participant: A reportable individual who has received grant-assisted services.
Award Information
- Estimated Available Funds
Governor Kim Reynolds has designated approximately $4 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund that Iowa received under the CARES Act. The source of funding is the federal CARES Act. No matching funds are required for this grant program. Applicants, organizations, programs or other entities that have previously received Coronavirus relief funding via the Coronavirus Relief Fund including the Employer Innovation Fund or either of the Registered Apprenticeship Incentive Funds, are not eligible to apply for this program.
- Estimated Award Amount
IWD anticipates awarding grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000. Grant awards may vary in amount as determined by the scope of the project and the availability of funding (based on number of applications received). Funding decisions are made as funding is available and IWD is not obligated to provide any requested amount or the maximum grant amount. The intent is to fund as many programs as possible, throughout the state, and funds will be awarded accordingly. A maximum amount of 10% of the award may be used for administrative expenses of operating the program. Administrative costs include, but are not limited to, office supplies, marketing and outreach, personnel salary and benefit costs, travel expenses, etc.
- Project and Award Period
Pursuant to the CARES Act, funds received as part of this program must be entirely expended by the applicant by December 31, 2020, with services provided and participants enrolled no later than February 28, 2021. Any funds that are not expended by December 31, 2020 must be returned to Iowa Workforce Development no later than January 5, 2021.
Award recipients must provide a detailed report of the use of funds with accompanying documentation supporting the use of funds by December 30, 2020. A final project report will be due by March 15, 2021.
- Type of Award
IWD will award cash funds to successful applicants to carry out planned proposals once a completed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is signed by the applicant and IWD. Funds must be requested by successful applicants no later than December 1, 2020 and expended by December 31, 2020. Any funds not requested by December 1, 2020 will not be provided.
- Use of Funds
The Coronavirus Relief Fund Earn and Learn Grant can be used for the purchase of equipment, tools, simulators, related training instruction materials, updated curriculum, tuition, books, wrap-around services to support participants during the grant period (internet access, childcare, transportation, stipends etc.), or other necessary items to provide for on-line learning as well as hands-on learning when necessary and safe. A maximum amount of 10% of the award may be used for administrative expenses of operating the program. Administrative costs include, but are not limited to, office supplies, marketing and outreach, personnel salary and benefit costs, travel expenses, etc.
- Reporting Requirements
Successful applicants will be required to submit vouchers, receipts, expenditures and reports to document how the funds were spent and certify the funds were used in accordance with the grant application and grant program. All grantees must provide a detailed report of the use of funds by December, 30, 2020, to the Director of Iowa Workforce Development. A final project report is due by March 15, 2021 and must include, but is not necessarily limited to:
- Date funds received;
- Amount of funds received;
- The numbers of individuals, agencies and businesses and others who received the funds including amounts received;
- A description of entities or individuals the monies were paid to, along with description of services or items received for each payment along with accompanying receipts as proof of payment;
- A description of the activities paid for by the funds, the dates of distribution, along with amounts disbursed for each activity, and the number of participants served;
- The persistence and/or completion rate for individuals supported by the award, including specific credentials earned;
- Employment and wage outcomes after completion; and
- Lessons learned and future recommendations.
- Payment Schedule
The executed grant agreement will specify conditions for payment and payment schedule.
Eligibility Information
- Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, adult-training providers including but not limited to post-secondary education institutions and unions, and small businesses with less than 50 employees that are in good standing with the State of Iowa. Applicants, organizations, programs or other entities that have previously received Coronavirus relief funding via the Coronavirus Relief Fund including the Employer Innovation Fund or either of the Registered Apprenticeship Incentive Funds, are not eligible to apply for this program. Applicants must reside in or have their primary place of business in Iowa or hire and employ Iowans within the state. IWD encourages applicants to cultivate partnerships to enhance project activities and outcomes. Grantees must comply with all applicable provisions of state and federal laws pertaining to nondiscrimination, sexual harassment, and equal employment opportunity.
First Amendment to this Notice of Funding effective 10/21/2020:
1. Eligible applicants shall now include Iowa secondary schools and high schools, to the extent that they meet all other eligibility factors.
a. Applicant entities and programs must impact participants whose employment has been affected or eliminated because of the Coronavirus pandemic as contemplated by the federal CARES Act.
b. Registered apprenticeship programs that have been impacted or eliminated due to the COVID-19 pandemic shall be deemed employment for the purposes of consideration under this Notice.
2. Entities that have received previous awards under the Coronavirus Relief Fund are eligible to apply for the Earn and Learn Grant, but in no case shall cumulative awards exceed $250,000.
3. An award under a previous Coronavirus Relief Fund grant does not guarantee an award under the Earn and Learn Grant.
- Additional Consideration
Additional consideration will be given to organizations that demonstrate the administrative capacity and a history of successfully implementing innovative projects. Additional consideration will also be given to organizations and projects in local workforce areas and regions throughout the State of Iowa that document how the project will impact workforce, education and economic development.
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