Department of Labor April 16, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), announces the availability of approximately $5 million in Responsible Reintegration of Youthful Offender grant funds to address the specific workforce challenges of ex-offenders and produce positive outcomes with a particular focus on employment and reduced recidivism. Projects funded under this competition will be consistent with both DOL's Youth Vision and President Bush's Faith- Based and Community Initiative. Grant funds awarded under this competition will be used to implement a program of services for ex-offenders (ages 18 to 29) under a beneficiary-choice contracting model. The beneficiary choice contracting model, to be explained more fully later, involves providing program participants with an independent choice among multiple service providers for specific services. Participants will receive case management services from the grantee, but will choose among contracted specialized service providers for more in-depth services, including soft-skills training and long-term follow up on participant outcomes. The grantee will compensate the contracted specialized service providers on a per capita basis for services provided, as well as per capita performance-based incentives. The overarching objective of these programs will be to help ex- offenders receive services and training, enter and retain employment, and avoid recidivism. Each application must provide evidence of partnerships with a network of faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs), the public workforce investment system and the criminal justice system. Strategic partnerships between business representatives from high-growth/high-demand industries and the education and training community are also encouraged. It is anticipated that individual awards will average $1,000,000 for the first year of operation to serve 225 participants per site. Supplementary Information: This solicitation provides background information on Beneficiary Choice Contracting and critical elements required of projects funded under the solicitation. It also describes the application submission requirements, the process that eligible applicants must use to apply for funds covered by this solicitation, and how grantees will be selected. This announcement consists of eight parts: Part I provides background information on Beneficiary Choice Contracting, DOL's Youth Vision, and The President's Faith-Based and Community Initiative. Part II describes the size and nature of the anticipated awards. Part III describes the qualifications of an eligible applicant. Part IV provides information on the application and submission process. Part V explains the review process and rating criteria that will be used to evaluate applications. Part VI provides award administration information. Part VII contains ETA contact information. Part VIII contains other information for applicants.