Located in:
- III. Operational Planning Elements
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that supports 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—
- 5. Distribution of Funds for Core Programs
Describe 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. 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 Adult Education Section will ensure that all eligible providers are given direct and equitable access to compete for Title II, AEFLA sections 225 (Correctional/Institutional), 231 (Direct and Equitable), and 243 (Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education) federal funds. The same grant announcement, application, and process will be used for all eligible providers and each proposal will be treated the same way in evaluation.
The Request for Proposal (RFP) announcement will be placed in the statewide newspaper for three consecutive days and on the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration’s website as required by the state’s Procurement process. In addition, the announcement will be placed on the Adult Education Section’s website. Prior to the announcement of an RFP, the Adult Education Section state staff will be provided training on the RFP process by the Adult Education Senior Management Team, which includes the State Director to ensure internal control and standardization. Once the RFP has been publicly announced, no staff member may discuss with any applicant anything regarding the RFP application or process. Any inquiries will need to be e-mailed to adulted@arkansas.gov. On a bi-weekly basis the date, name of person, question, and response will be placed on the website in a cumulative RFP Questions and Answers spreadsheet. This ensures that all eligible applicant has a direct and equitable access to the questions.
All applicants that have shown and met the demonstrated effectiveness requirement will also be evaluated using the 13 Statutory Considerations as found in the law at 231 (e)(1-13). In addition to the RFP application, eligible providers will have a rubric that shows how applications will be evaluated.
A formula method will be used to determine the amount of funding and takes into consideration the literacy rate and the core indicators of performance as outlined in Title II of the WIOA law. The state will identify, assess, and award grants using the RFP process of providers who have demonstrated effectiveness in providing adult education activities to eligible individuals. An eligible individual is an individual who has attained 16 years of age; who is not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under State law; and who is basic skills deficient; does not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and has not achieved an equivalent level of education; or is an English language learner.
In addition, other factors that will be considered is the ability of the eligible providers to meet the literacy needs in the area may include, but not limited to, the ability to comply with WIOA and state expectations, the ability to provide services to special populations such as an individual with barriers to employment as defined in WIOA Section 3 (24), past performance of the entity in providing literacy instruction and meeting programmatic goals, overall program management, timely submission of financial and quarterly reports to the state office, and the overall qualification and expertise of the providers’ personnel. Again, the list of criteria used to evaluate demonstrated effectiveness and the scoring rubric has been made available as part of the RFP process. At the end of two years, the state will reevaluate the providers to determine whether to conduct a new Request for Proposal competition or not.
Currently, the adult education providers in the state are divided into five regions and include the Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Northwest, and Central Regions. Although there may be multiple providers within an area, the state has reconfigured all 75 counties to better align with the 10 Workforce Development Boards (WDB). The purpose of restructuring the state is to help align service delivery under WIOA and enhance the coordination and support of the overall economic development of the State.
Adult education/literacy providers are housed under a local education agency such as a school districts, community colleges, institutions of higher education, and literacy organizations. Other eligible providers have been and will continue to be considered using a direct and equitable process. Funding is awarded to local adult education/literacy providers through a competitive grant process based on literacy rate and the core indicators of performance as outlined in Title II of the WIOA law. Applications are competitive, open, and available to all eligible applicants. Grants/contracts are awarded for one year, with two one-year renewals based on performance and available funding.
No less than 95% of federal funds shall be expended for carrying out adult education and literacy activities; and the remaining amount, not to exceed 5%, shall be used for planning, administration (including carrying out the requirements of section 116), professional development, and the activities described in WIOA paragraphs (3) and (5) of section 232.