Narrative:

The Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) receives Title II funding from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Career, Technical & Adult Education (OCTAE), and grants these funds out to eligible providers through a competitive grant process, per WIOA Section 231(a). Wisconsin’s eligible institutions, colleges and community-based organizations ensure equal opportunities to participate for all eligible students, teachers, and other program beneficiaries in any project and/or activity carried out under the applicable program, such as adult basic education, and promotes the ability of such students, teachers, and beneficiaries to meet high standards.

COMPETITION EQUITY

WTCS holds an open competition and requires local providers to provide assurances that they will fully implement the requirements and activities authorized under section 427 of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA).  WTCS ensures that all grant competition announcements, information and training is available to potential providers/grantees in an open, transparent and equitable manner. The funds are made available through a competitive application process, and the grant announcements will are disseminated to current providers and the public utilizing the same time, date and format of announcement. The grant opportunities are typically posted on the agency’s website, shared through regional media, and posted on the state's VendorNet informational website. All eligible providers have equitable opportunity to pose questions and receive answers in a public forum that is shared with the general public. All grantee applications are evaluated using the same scoring criteria which aligns with the directions contained in this Plan and the 13 considerations required by federal WIOA legislation. Additionally, statewide geographical distribution of funds is utilized to ensure that all Wisconsin citizens can access local adult education and literacy programming, with providers asked to ensure that services are offered, when possible, at varying times and days and through alternative delivery methods including distance delivery.  These grants will be awarded on a four-year basis, with updated applications due each year.

The competition review panel is composed of individuals selected for their experience in the fields of adult and postsecondary education, training and workforce development. This panel is trained by the WTCS Grants Management team prior to the review and scoring of applications, which are based on the criteria in the Applications Scoring Rubric. Applications are first reviewed to determine if the applicant meets the definition of “eligible provider of demonstrated effectiveness”. If they do not meet this standard, the application is not to be scored. Additionally, as required under WIOA, representatives from each of Wisconsin’s local Workforce Development Boards (WDB) have the opportunity to review the applications to encourage consistency and alignment with the strategic goals and objectives in Wisconsin’s WIOA local plans. The WDB submits comments with WTCS, which are also considered in the application review process.

WTCS ensures equitable access to, and participation in, all projects and activities as required under WIOA, Perkins and other federal education funds. Providers and programs utilizing these funds identify and address the needs of students, faculty and other program beneficiaries to overcome barriers to programming and participation, including but not limited to barriers of gender, race, color, national origin, disability, and age. WTCS provides various learning and professional development opportunities to WTCS employees as well as providers, which includes providing accommodations for individuals with disabilities. WTCS ensures that all education and training providers give equal and equitable access to all programs, projects and activities through ongoing monitoring and technical assistance processes and follows the laws under the Equal Opportunity Hiring Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.