Narrative: c.

Providers serving individuals in a correctional facility are required to offer adult education and literacy activities and transition to re-entry initiatives and other post-release services with the goal of reducing recidivism. Although not required, providers who receive correctional education funding are encouraged to offer integrated education and training and develop career pathways. Integrated education and training will include more job skills training. Career pathways will include apprenticeship opportunities. In addition, programs are encouraged to use guidance and supportive services where possible and to provide education and training through cooperative efforts with providers in correctional settings. Special education, as determined through the intake process, will provide appropriate and effective instructional and testing accommodations for students who are identified as having a disability. Peer tutoring is a tutoring arrangement in which students work in pairs to help one another learn material or practice an academic task.

For programs serving criminal offenders in a correctional institution, priority shall be given to serving individuals who are likely to leave these institutions within five years of participation in the program. Eligible providers who offer classes for incarcerated adults must consult with facility staff about expected release dates of potential students to assess eligibility and to determine class locations. Programs are asked to address this requirement in their applications, and the Adult Education Section monitors compliance.

A correctional institution includes any prison; jail; reformatory; work farm; detention center; halfway house; community-based rehabilitation center; or any other similar institution designed for confinement or rehabilitation of criminal offenders. A criminal offender is any individual who is charged with or convicted of any criminal offense.

Funds will be distributed on a competitive basis that is direct and equitable through the Request for Proposal (RFP) process as described under Section 225 of WIOA for corrections education and title II subtitle C. The same grant announcement, application, and process will be used for all proposals and treated the same way in evaluation. The Arkansas Division of Workforce Services, Adult Education Section, shall use not less than 82.5 percent of the grant funds to award grants and contracts under section 231 and to carry out section 225, of which not more than 20 percent of such amount shall be available to carry out section 225.

Each eligible provider seeking federal funds must submit and meet the requirements of the grant. Allocation of the available funds is based on each eligible provider’s enrollment, performance, and demonstrated effectiveness. Funds available under section 225 (a) (1) of the WIOA will be a multi-year grant cycle. However, the ADWS-AES state office will review the performance levels of providers each year to ensure continuous improvement of outcomes.

In addition to any reports required by Adult Education, each eligible correctional institution receiving funds under this section shall annually prepare and submit a report of progress. Reports of progress shall include, but not limited to, activities carried out under this section, relative rate of recidivism, enrollment, educational gains and/or High School Equivalency outcomes, employment (sustainable wage) and employment retention (length of employment).