Narrative: d. 1.

WorkReady U established eight pilot programs under Section 243 of WIOA that offer Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education Programs as a result of the competitive, multi-year request for proposal process specifically for integrated literacy and civics education funds 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 integration and alignment of services that support the following literacy and English language acquisition activities:

• Civics education instruction that provides assistance to eligible students to become active and informed parents, workers, and community members; • Rights and Responsibilities of citizenship. • Integrated education and training that provides training opportunities to eligible individuals seeking workforce training for the workplace in combination with English Literacy instruction; and • Advanced English literacy instruction that provides training opportunities to eligible individuals seeking workforce training, including professionals with degrees and/or credentials from outside the United States. State-approved English Language Proficiency Standards will be utilized for literacy instruction.

WorkReady U made funds available under Section 211(a)(2)(b) for the delivery of integrated English literacy and civics education in combination with integrated education and training activities to adults seeking workforce training.

The Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education Program will engage students in purposeful use of the language. The skills provided through this funding source will assist students in obtaining citizenship, achieve basic life skills needed to enhance employment, function effectively as parents, workers, and citizens in the United States.

Each funded program under this section is designed to provide the following services:

(1) Prepare adults who are English-language learners for and place such adults in unsubsidized employment in in-demand industries and occupations that lead to economic self-sufficiency and (2) Integrate with the local workforce development system and its functions to carry out the activities of the program.

However, English language learners seeking English language proficiency and civics education but not seeking workforce training, should not be excluded or discourage from participation in the Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education program.

In the evaluation of the applications, WorkReady U considered whether an eligible provider demonstrated the need for these types of services in a designated service delivery area. Data sources could include tables from the US Census Bureau, reports from the Office of Immigration Services, documentation of prior participation in these types of services or other data.

The term “integrated English literacy and civics education” means education services provided to English language learners who are adults, including professionals with degrees and credentials in their native countries, that enables such adults to achieve competency in the English language and acquire the basic and more advanced skills needed to function effectively as parents, workers and citizens in the United States. Such services shall include instruction in literacy and English language acquisition and instruction on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and civic participation and may include workforce training.

An evidence-based approach using the framework of Integrated Education and Training, Louisiana Career Pathways, will be used for those unskilled or under-skilled adults in our state who are non-native English language learners. Programs will identify instructors from ESL and Workforce programs that will engage in the instructional model to be used.

Eligible providers demonstrated in their application for section 243 funds the manner in which services will be delivered in combination with integrated education and training activities. These integrated education and training activities can be provided directly or through collaboration with Workforce programs or other community partners.

Funded providers serving eligible individuals for whom integrated English literacy and civics education and integrated education and training are appropriate have the flexibility to co-enroll the eligible individuals in other integrated education and training programs within the local or regional workforce development area funding through sources other than section 243.

English language learners seeking English language proficiency and civics education but not seeking workforce training, should not be excluded or discourage from participation in the Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education program.

Funded providers designed programs that deliver the activities under WIOA including the integration of literacy and English-language instruction with occupational skill training, including promoting linkages with employers. Eligible providers must demonstrate their ability to prepare English-language learners for unsubsidized employment in in-demand industries and occupations that lead to economic self-sufficiency and how they will integrate the program with the local workforce development system to carry out the activities of the program.

The English Literacy and Civics Program is designed with the purpose of improving the productivity and obtaining gainful employment through the improvement of skills of non-native English learners. Working with employers throughout their community, programs will know the in-demand industries and occupations that can lead to economic self-sufficiency.