Narrative: III. b. 5. B. i.

Missouri will award competitive multiyear grants and contracts to eligible providers within the state to enable the eligible providers to develop, implement and improve adult education and literacy activities. Applications will be competitive, open, and available to all eligible applicants. Grants and contracts are awarded for one year, with two one-year renewals based on performance and available funding.

Each eligible provider receiving a grant or contract will use the funding to establish or operate programs that provide adult education and literacy activities, including programs that provide such activities concurrently.

In conducting the competitive grant process, Missouri will ensure that:

1. all eligible providers have direct and equitable access to apply and compete for grants or contracts;

2. the same grant or contract announcement and application processes will be used for all eligible providers in the state; and

3. in awarding grants or contracts to eligible providers for adult education and literacy activities, funds will only be used for the purpose of supporting or providing programs, services or activities for eligible individuals as defined in WIOA. Missouri may use such funds for services or activities related to family literacy activities. Prior to providing family literacy activities for individuals who are not eligible individuals, an eligible provider shall attempt to coordinate with programs and services that do not receive funding under this title.

In Missouri, the distribution of funds is based on the applications received and the ranking of those applications. When local applicants submit their applications, they are to write to the need in their area, justifying the funds requested and the number of students proposed to be served. A portion of the score and ranking is based on this. Ranking is determined by score, which includes prior performance, number of students proposed to be served, need of the area, budget, proposed program operations (including writing to 13 considerations), alignment with workforce, etc. The applications that the state office receives do not provide coverage to the entire state; therefore, there is not a need to establish a formula by county. There is an online, MoLearns, program to cover those areas of the state not covered by a face-to-face local program.

In awarding grants or contracts for adult education and literacy activities to eligible providers, Missouri will consider the following:

1. The degree to which the eligible provider would be responsive to –

a. regional needs as identified in the local workforce development plan; and

b. serving individuals in the community who were identified in such plan as most in need of adult education and literacy activities, including individuals who have low levels of literacy skills or are English language learners.

2. The ability of the eligible provider to serve eligible individuals with disabilities, including eligible individuals with learning disabilities;

3. The past effectiveness of the eligible provider in improving the literacy of eligible individuals, especially those individuals who have low levels of literacy and the degree to which those improvements contribute to meeting the state’s adjusted levels of performance for the primary performance indicators;

4. The extent to which the eligible provider demonstrates alignment between proposed activities and services and the strategy and goals of the local plan under section 108 of the Act, as well as the activities and services of the one-stop partners;

5. Whether the eligible provider’s program—

a. is of sufficient intensity and quality, and based on the most rigorous research available so that participants achieve substantial learning gains; and

b. uses instructional practices that include the essential components of reading instruction;

6. Whether the eligible provider’s activities, including whether reading, writing, speaking, mathematics, and English language acquisition instruction delivered by the eligible provider, are based on the best practices derived from the most rigorous research available, including scientifically valid research and effective educational practice;

7. Whether the eligible provider’s activities effectively use technology, services and delivery systems, including distance education, in a manner sufficient to increase the amount and quality of learning, and how such technology, services, and systems lead to improved performance;

8. Whether the eligible provider’s activities provide learning in context, including through integrated education and training, so that an individual acquires the skills needed to transition to and complete postsecondary education and training programs, obtain and advance in employment leading to economic self-sufficiency, and to exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship;

9. Whether the eligible provider’s activities are delivered by instructors, counselors and administrators who meet any minimum qualifications established by the state, where applicable, and who have access to high-quality professional development, including through electronic means;

10. Whether the eligible provider coordinates with other available education, training and social service resources in the community in the development of career pathways, such as by establishing strong links with elementary schools and secondary schools; postsecondary educational institutions; institutions of higher education; local WDBs; one-stop centers; job training programs and social service agencies; business; industry; labor organizations; community-based organizations; nonprofit organizations; and intermediaries;

11. Whether the eligible provider’s activities offer the flexible schedules and coordination with federal, state, and local support services, such as child care, transportation, mental health services, and career planning, that are necessary to enable individuals, including individuals with disabilities or other special needs, to attend and complete programs;

12. Whether the eligible provider will enter data and use reports from LACES (student management information system) and monitors program performance; and

13. Whether the local area in which the eligible provider is located has a demonstrated need for additional English language acquisition programs and civics education programs.

Missouri will within its grant or contract competition, establish a process that provides for the submission of all applications for funds under Adult Education Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) to the appropriate local WDBs.

The process will include:

1. submission of the applications to the appropriate local WDB for its review for consistency with the local plan within the appropriate timeframe; and

2. an opportunity for the local WDB to make recommendations to the state agency to promote alignment with the local plan.

Missouri will consider the results of the review by the local WDB in determining the extent to which the application addresses the required considerations mentioned previously.

Each eligible provider seeking a grant or contract must submit an application to the state agency containing the information and assurances listed below, including:

1. a description of how funds awarded under this title will be spent consistent with the requirements of title II of AEFLA;

2. a description of any cooperative arrangements the eligible provider has with other agencies, institutions, or organizations for the delivery of adult education and literacy activities;

3. a description of how the eligible provider will provide services in alignment with the local workforce development plan, including how such provider will promote concurrent enrollment in programs and activities under title I, as appropriate;

4. a description of how the eligible provider will meet the state-adjusted levels of performance for the primary indicators of performance;

5. a description of how the eligible provider will fulfill, as appropriate, required one-stop partner responsibilities to—

a. provide access through the one-stop delivery system to adult education and literacy activities;

b. in accordance with the methods agreed upon by the local WDB and described in the memorandum of understanding, a portion of the funds made available under the Act may be used to maintain the one-stop delivery system, including payment of the infrastructure costs for the one-stop centers, where appropriate;

c. enter into a local memorandum of understanding with the Local Board, relating to the operations of the one-stop system;

d. participate in the operation of the one-stop system consistent with the terms of the memorandum of understanding, and the requirements of the Act; and

e. willingness to provide representation to the local WDB if asked by the state agency (only 14 WDBs in Missouri; approximately 30 local adult education programs; not every program will be represented on the local WDB);

6. a description of how the eligible provider will provide services in a manner that meets the needs of eligible individuals;

7. information that addresses the 13 considerations; and

8. documentation of the activities required for local board review.

An organization that has demonstrated effectiveness in providing adult education and literacy activities is eligible to apply for a grant or contract. These organizations may include, but are not limited to:

-a local educational agency;

-a community-based organization or faith-based organization;

-a volunteer literacy organization;

-an institution of higher education;

-a public or private nonprofit agency;

-a library;

-a public housing authority;

-a nonprofit institution that is not described above and has the ability to provide adult education and literacy activities to eligible individuals;

-a consortium or coalition of the agencies, organizations, institutions, libraries, or authorities described above; and

-a partnership between an employer and an entity described above.

An eligible provider must demonstrate past effectiveness by providing past performance data that includes improving the skills of eligible individuals, particularly eligible individuals who have low levels of literacy, in the content domains of reading, writing, mathematics, English language acquisition, and other subject areas relevant to the services contained in the state’s application for funds.

An eligible provider must also provide information regarding its outcomes for participants related to employment, attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and transition to postsecondary education and training.

There are two ways in which an eligible provider may meet the requirements of this section:

1. The state agency will take into account the past performance of the provider that has been previously funded under title II of WIOA including performance data required under Section 116 of the Act to demonstrate past effectiveness.

2. An eligible provider that has not been previously funded under Title II of the Act must provide performance data to demonstrate its past effectiveness in serving basic skills deficient eligible individuals, including evidence of its success in achieving outcomes listed previously in this section.

Timeline: The January - July 2020 timeline below is an estimate and subject to change.

•     Early January - Invitation for Bid announcement in paper and website

•     Late January - pre-bid conference

•     Feb - March - technical assistance provided to potential bidders

•     Late March - bids due

•     April - appropriate panel of evaluators evaluate and score bids

•     April - rank ordered slate based on applicant scores will be developed

•     May - make awards

•     July 1, 2020 - AEFLA grants and/or contracts begin grant/contract cycle