Located in:
- III. Operational Planning ElementsThe 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 PoliciesThe 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 ProgramsDescribe 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. 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 Arkansas Department of Career Education, Adult Education Division will use the same grant announcement and application process for all eligible providers in the state. In addition, all eligible providers will have direct and equitable access to apply and compete for grants or contracts and will be treated the same in evaluation. The Request For Proposal (RFP) applications will be shared in the form of a classified advertisement in the statewide newspaper, The Arkansas Democrat Gazette, an announcement on the Department of Finance and Administration and Department of Career Education’s websites, and the use of other means of available communication in order to ensure that all perspective eligible providers will have access to the same standardized information. Any noncurrent provider inquiring about adult education and literacy grants through the state office prior to the grant official announcement will be added to the e-mail distribution list of current adult education providers. Once the RFP grant announcement has been officially posted on the website and in the public newspaper, the state office will send notification out to all potential eligible providers on the state’s e-mail distribution list. The grant application procedures will be the same for all eligible providers.