Narrative: c.

From funds made available under Section 222(a)(1), LCTCS, WorkReady U conducted a full and open competition specifically for Corrections Education funding (Section 225) that was consistent with the standards of Subpart C, CFR 200.319. All activities funded under WIOA are authorized, approved and administered by the LCTCS, WorkReady U. Applicants had to establish that Section 225 funds would be utilized to serve criminal offenders in a correctional institution as defined in WIOA: any prison; jail; reformatory; work farm; detention center; halfway house, community-based rehabilitation center or any other similar institution designed for the confinement or rehabilitation of criminal offenders.

WorkReady U ensured that all eligible providers had direct and equitable access to apply and compete for grants. See Title I, Common Elements, (III.b.5.B.ii) Direct and Equitable Access. The grant competition was publicized through a variety of print and electronic media throughout the state. Information was shared through the LCTCS communications office via posting on the LCTCS website, social media outlets and other means of available communication.

LCTCS used the same application process for all eligible providers for sections 225, 231, and/or 243. This ensured that all applications were evaluated using the same rubric and scoring criteria.

As required in Section 427 of GEPA, each applicant provided a description of the agency’s process to ensure equitable access to and participation in, the WIOA Title II adult education program for students, teachers, and other program beneficiaries with special needs. LCTCS has approved state policies that provide for equal opportunity for all qualified persons without regard to disability in the recruitment of, admission to, accessibility to, participation in, treatment in or employment in the programs and activities operated and sponsored by the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. LCTCS approved state policies are mandates for the LCTCS state office and all programs and activities funded by LCTCS, inclusive of WIOA Title II grantees. LCTCS/WRU will monitor local program compliance for Section 427 of GEPA.

The review of proposals included rating responses to the 13 considerations in Title II of WIOA, in addition to the description of how programs will design academic programs to support the following services/activities:

(1) Adult education and literacy activities. See VI.b — Local Activities, Federal Definitions and Allowable Services/Activities.

(2) Special education. Funded programs will comply with Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and partner with mandatory partners such as Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, Vocational Rehabilitation and secondary partners, such as Louisiana Department of Education to eliminate barriers to education and/or employment.

(3) Secondary school credit. Title II resides under the jurisdiction of LCTCS while secondary school credit falls under the jurisdiction of the Louisiana Department of Education. LCTCS will partner with the Louisiana Department of Education and the Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ) to ensure that all eligible students receive Title II educational services. Funded programs will provide instructional services/activities that will prepare students to earn a high school equivalency credential.

(4) Integrated education and training;

(5) Career pathways:

(6) Concurrent enrollment. See VI.b — Local Activities, Federal Definitions and Allowable Services/Activities

(7) Peer tutoring. Funded programs will provide training for specified offenders to serve as peer tutors in adult education and CTE classes.

(8) Transition to re-entry initiatives and other post-release services with the goal of reducing recidivism. Allowable activities to assist with reducing recidivism may include: (a) providing educational counseling and/or case management; (b) developing plans for post-release education program participation; (c) assisting students in identifying and applying for participation in post-release programs; and/or (d) performing direct outreach to community-based program providers on behalf of re-entering students. Funds may not be used for cost for participation in post-release programs or services.

LCTCS will not use less than 82.5 percent of the grant funds to award grants and contacts 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.

As a result of the evaluation process, there were six successful applicants under Section 225 that were funded to provide Corrections Education and other Education of Institutionalized Individuals as a result of the competitive, multi-year request for proposal using the process described in the Common Elements: Distribution of Funds; Title II. Through the RFP procurement process, the successful applicants demonstrated the ability to provide services that support correctional education activities as defined in WIOA.

Programs that do not meet established minimum standards in the first year will be expected to demonstrate and document substantial improvement toward meeting those standards. Using the approved statewide data management system, monitoring results, and other documentation, WRU will determine and apply requirements for program improvement in the subsequent grant cycles. Minimum standards will be determined initially based on data collected during the first year and will be raised with each new grant cycle. Programs that do not demonstrate and document substantial improvements during each year of the multi-year grant cycle may not be eligible to receive funding in subsequent years of the cycle.

Each eligible provider that receives funds provided under section 225 to carry out a program for criminal offenders within a correctional institution shall give priority to serving individuals who are likely to leave the correctional institution within five (5) years of participation in the program.