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Plan: Minnesota PYs 2016-2017
Combined Plan C

Section: WIOA State Plan Common Elements

Narrative: III. b. 5. B. ii.

Published
Located in:
  • III. Operational Planning Elements
    The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that support 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—

III. b. 5. B. ii. Ensure Direct and Equitable Access

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 federal WIOA AEFLA competitive application will adhere to federal and state policies to ensure direct and equitable access to providers. All federal funding for local providers (WIOA sections 225, 231, and 243) will be subject to a competitive process that will embed the 13 considerations and adhere to state and federal policies. The federal competition for funds available under WIOA sections 225 (corrections education) and 231 (grants and contracts for eligible providers) will use the same application, scoring rubric, and technical assistance materials. The application, scoring rubric, and technical assistance materials for IEL/Civics (section 243) will have additional questions to adhere to federal expectations for IEL/Civics providers. (For more information about IEL/Civics funding competitive application, please see the IEL/Civics portion of the state plan in the Title II section.) Grant announcements and application materials will be posted on the Minnesota Department of Education website in the area used to announce and promote all education grant funds in the state. The site will identify all eligible providers (aligned to the providers listed in WIOA, see below) and include a copy of the application and instructions for how to apply.

ELIGIBLE PROVIDERS An eligible local provider is an organization that has demonstrated effectiveness in providing adult education activities to eligible individuals and may include: • A local education agency; • Community-based or faith-based organization; • Volunteer literacy organization; • Institution of higher education; • Public or private nonprofit agency; • Library; • Public housing authority; • Nonprofit institution with the ability to provide adult education and literacy services; • Consortium or coalition of agencies, organizations, institutions, libraries, or authorities described above; and • A partnership between an employer and an entity described above.

APPLICATION PROMOTION AND PUBLICATION In November 2016, an announcement will be posted on the Minnesota Department of Education website requesting letters of intent from interested applicants by December 2016. The letters of intent will ask for basic identifying and contact information from the applying organization. Any organization that submits a letter of intent will receive direct announcements of the application posting and technical assistance from the Minnesota Department of Education. In February 2017, the grant competition for the 2017-18 grant year will be publicized in compliance with federal law, Minnesota statute, and Minnesota Department of Education policy in order to ensure that all eligible providers have direct and equitable access to apply and compete for grants. A fair and equitable process will be followed for the federal AEFLA grant funding that follows other federal grant procedures. The Minnesota Department of Education publishes and promotes all grant opportunities on its website. Any eligible entity (described above) can submit a proposal.