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Our district is very interested in pursuing this grant but I am wondering if we should write it as a district ourselves as we did our current Bridges grant or if we would be better off partnering with other districts. 

The Workforce Development Council Snohomish County encourages collaboration between local districts, particularly as it makes sense given the populations to be served, geographic considerations, and to gain efficiencies.  Note that services may be provided in alternative environments or in mainstream program offerings.  Ultimately, the WDCSC seeks to deliver services to all qualifying youth in all districts in Snohomish County.

If more than one agency/service provider would like to provide services to youth utilizing this funding, the partners must form a consortium and choose one lead agency to be the primary contact for the WDC.  The WDC will enter into contracts with each agency/service provider individually for the portion of services they intend to provide within the consortium.   Certificates of Support must be provided for each district being served.   

Any idea if there is a predisposition to offer grants to more than one client district?

A committee of Board Members reviewing aspects of current Youth programs recommended that all youth programs feature entry points for youth in all areas of Snohomish County and options for internships or work experiences or apprenticeships.  The Board has expressed interest in seeing expanded services to all qualified In School youth in Snohomish County, however, we do understand that the dollars available will not currently enable services in every district.  As funding increases it is certainly the intention to see services to qualified In School youth to all Snohomish County districts.

We would like to provide services to both in school and out of school youth as a part of our program.  Can we submit one Proposal for both?

No, the RFPs are separate and demand separate submissions.  A submission for In and Out of School youth in the same proposal will not be considered responsive.

Can we submit a "multi-tiered" proposal with several options - i.e. maintaining program at the same size, or growing the program to include more students?

The WDCSC encourages creativity and innovation within the guidelines provided in the RFP and local policy.  However, a proposal with options would not be as competitive as a proposal that offers one well-considered and planned approach with a thoughtful implementation schedule.

What if we can’t make a scheduled presentation?

The presentations are scheduled around the Board members schedules.  Bidders should be aware that we may not be able to accommodate specific requests, although a request can be made to Amy Persell.

What if kids in school are over 18 at point of enrollment?

Use both the Older and Younger Youth sheets in the workbook in that case.

AmeriCorps member match cannot come from WIA funds in any circumstance?

Correct, you must leverage funds from another source to support a member.

Do you have to have an AmeriCorps member?

No, up to the design of your proposal.

Will there be additional tracking for AmeriCorps members working with WIA youth?

Yes, WIA site AmeriCorps members will be trained in a tracking system that is supplemental to the AmeriCorps monthly reports used by all members.

Can you fund an AmeriCorps member out of your WIA contract if you indicate in-kind services that offset the cost?

No, not at this time.

Is it true that new locations must be certified as a WorkSource Center within 3 months?

Yes.

There seems to be two Federal core indicators in the RFP, is that correct?

The old regulations are still in place therefore you will be measured on all the current measures.

Do all new staff need SKIES training?

Is there a decision on the appraisal tool? Will CASAS become the mandatory test?

.All out-of-school youth must be assessed for basic skills using the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS).

Most out of school youth are in GED programs. Does the youth council know its culminating project recommendations are not applicable?

Yes, even though they are not completing actually culminating projects, the spirit of the projects can still be considered in your proposal.  There may be other similar projects that a contractor can engage youth in.

Our goals are not short term goals. How can we accomplish those if you are rotating kids in and out as noted in the In School Youth proposal? For example, if enrolled as a sophomore, won’t get to goal of graduation until 3 years later. What about long term goals?

The overall design is to serve more youth in schools as the WDCSC Board would eventually like to see a WIA presence in all Snohomish County districts.  In order to serve more youth at a time when resource allocations for the future are unknown it is imperative to implement a model that allows In School providers to serve more youth.  The model in the RFP asks for bidders to implement a proactive approach which identifies students at risk of dropping out and offers timely interventions, provides for mentors or coaches for identified students, offer retrieval and reentry activities and alternative educational programming.  The mentor or coaching model allows for more students to be served by rotating students in and out of the program and/or providing differing levels of services based on their risk factors and/or current issues.  The WDCSC is seeking to procure designs that recognize that some youth require longer term services balanced with those who need only short term intervention.   Youth who are enrolled earlier in their High School career must be touched until graduation as per policy.  Bidders are strongly encouraged to consider enrollment of youth at all grades, however, should a bidder choose to focus on juniors and senior that would be acceptable too.  This model demands that some youth have intensive longer term interactions while other youth may need a short “burst” of interaction balanced with more minimal interactions in the remainder of their time in the program.  Total to be served will be a consideration in rating so bidders are encouraged to carefully consider their potential enrollment population and the grades they choose to focus on.

For the summer youth employment program, will we need to do a dual enrollment?

There will be a separate code for the recovery act (summer youth employment), but we are hoping one enrollment. If you have a youth who is enrolled in summer youth they might have been entered into a separate streamlined enrollment therefore when you enroll in regular WIA funding streams there may be additional paperwork/processing that needs to be completed.

Will there be one measure for in and out of school competitive staff salaries?

This is more of a concern from our Board members is ensuring that contractor staff are paid equitable salaries for other in the industry.  There is no measure, rather contractors should show how compensation is fair and at the industry standard.

Can we get an updated list of youth providers from the WDC?

We are willing to update forms. Your input is encouraged.  Please send comments to Lenny Simpson and we will move forward.