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
Current Narrative:
LCTCS requires all eligible providers for sections 225, 231, and/or 243 to use the same application process. This ensures that all applications are evaluated using the same rubric and scoring criteria. LCTCS ensures that all eligible providers have direct and equitable access to apply for grants or contracts.
LCTCS will hold a full and open competition consistent with the standards of Subpart C, CFR 200.319. All eligible providers will be allowed direct and equitable access to apply and compete for grants or contracts. LCTCS will adhere to all State and Louisiana WIOA Combined Plan laws in regards to awarding grant funds and the expenditure of public funds. The following steps will be utilized to ensure direct and equitable access: • An announcement of the availability of federal funds, under the support of Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, will be disseminated in various methods including but not limited to a minimum of two newspaper outlets that provide state, local and regional news coverage, the LCTCS website, and social media outlets in order to provide the widest possible state coverage. • An announcement of the availability of funds will be sent to all existing adult education providers. • The same grant and application process will be used for all eligible providers in the state. • Standard criteria for evaluation of local proposals will be used for all eligible providers. • Technical assistance will be provided to assist with dissemination of information to all eligible providers interested in applying. Technical assistance opportunities will be included in announcements and the Request for Proposal. • The announcement will contain information such as: o Type of grants available. o Contact person to obtain RFP guidelines. o Timeline with grant application due date. o Other pertinent items. o Any information required by state law in regard to the awarding of contracts and the expenditure of public funds.
LCTCS will use the following process to distribute funds to approved applicants: 1) Not less than 82.5 percent of the grant funds to award grants and contracts under section 231 and to carry out section 225, Programs for Corrections Education and Other Institutionalized Individuals, of which not more than 20 percent of such amount shall be available to carry out section 225; 2) Shall not use more than 12.5 percent of the grant funds to carry out state leadership activities under section 223; and 3) Shall not use more than 5 percent of the grant funds for administrative expenses of the eligible agency. Federal funds may be used to increase the level of nonfederal funds that would be available in the absence of federal funds, and, in no case, replace those nonfederal funds. Federal funds must not be used for the purpose of supplanting, only for supplementing. See Title II - Adult Education and Literacy Programs (b) Local Activities for additional details regarding the processes for the request for application process.