Located in:
- III. Operational Planning Elements
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that supports the State’s strategy and the system-wide vision described in Section II(c) above. Unless otherwise noted, all Operational Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs. This section must include—
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include a description of the State operating systems and policies that will support the implementation of the State strategy described in section II Strategic Elements. This includes—
- 5. Distribution of Funds for Core Programs
Describe the methods and factors the State will use in distributing funds under the core programs in accordance with the provisions authorizing such distributions.
- 5. Distribution of Funds for Core Programs
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
III. b. 5. B. ii. Describe how the eligible agency will ensure direct and equitable access to all eligible providers to apply and compete for funds and how the eligible agency will ensure that it is using the same grant or contract announcement and application procedure for all eligible providers
Current Narrative:
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) Office of Adult Education Initiatives (AEI) will ensure direct and equitable access to grants and contracts and will use the same grant or contract process for all eligible providers in the state. All applicants follow a detailed request for applications (RFA), and each application is evaluated by a team of trained reviewers and AEI staff.
In order to provide adult education and family literacy services, AEI will work with core partners and Combined State Plan partners to communicate any funding opportunities. The announcement will also be placed on the CDE web site.
The entire RFA and related documents will be posted on the CDE website in a format that allows local providers to download and print them.
Description of Steps to Ensure Direct and Equitable Access:
- AEI will accept applications from all eligible providers.
- In order to assure equitable access, all applicants will receive identical requests for applications, have the same amount of time to prepare and submit said applications, and be evaluated using the same criteria and process.
- Eligible providers will submit applications directly to the CDE Office of Competitive Grants, and funded providers will receive payments directly from the CDE as approved.
Some eligible providers may choose to be subcontractors, in which case the subcontractor’s proposal must be incorporated into the eligible provider’s proposal. Subcontractors are subject to the same process described in detail above, as well as instituting and maintaining procedures to meet all accountability, intensity, duration, and continuous improvement factors for providing services to adult learners.