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OSSE AEFLA Grant and Workforce Investment Council (WIC) Career Pathways Grant Request for Applications (RFA)


Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Purpose of AEFLA and WIC Funding

OSSE, in partnership with the WIC, will fund eligible providers to offer programs and services that:

  1. Assist adults in becoming literate and in obtaining the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and economic self-sufficiency;
  2. Assist adults who are parents or family members in obtaining the education and skills that – (A) are necessary to become full partners in the educational development of their children; and that (B) lead to sustainable improvements in the economic opportunities for their family;
  3. Assist adults in attaining a secondary school diploma and in the transition to employment, postsecondary education and training through career pathways; and
  4. Assist immigrants and other individuals who are English language learners in (A) improving their – (i) reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension skills in English; and (ii) mathematics skills; and in (B) acquiring an understanding of the American system of government, individual freedom, and the responsibilities of citizenship.

Additionally, OSSE and WIC funding will be used to facilitate the support services that:

  • Align with the skills needs of industries within the District of Columbia and the regional economy;
  • Prepare District residents to be successful in a full range of secondary or postsecondary education options, including apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities;
  • Include the development of an Individual Career Pathways Transition Plan that specifies the student’s educational functioning level, learning needs, career interests, goals and plans for achieving economic self-sufficiency, indicates links to other resources and education and/or training towards the next steps on a student’s career pathway, and ensures seamless transitions from program to program (i.e. ABE/ELA to ASE or ASE to Postsecondary education, training, and/or employment);
  • Include counseling to support District residents progressing along their Individual Career Pathways Transition Plan and in achieving their education and career goals;
  • Provide integrated education and training that includes adult education and literacy activities concurrently and contextually with workforce preparation activities and workforce training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster;
  • Organize education, training and other services to meet the particular needs of District residents in a manner that accelerates their educational and career advancement to the extent practicable;
  • Enables District residents to attain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and at least one recognized postsecondary credential; and
  • Helps District residents enter or advance within a specific occupation or occupational cluster.

Only consortia and coalitions comprised of three of more entities, listed under “Eligible Providers” may apply for the WIC funding. One or more employers must be a member of the consortium or coalition. An individual entity will not be considered for WIC funding nor funded. Please see the WIC Funding Considerations in Section III: Grant Requirements.

Available Funding

Approximately $4,300,000 will be awarded in response to this RFA (this includes approximately $1.1 million in Federal funds, $2.2 million in Local funds, and just under $1 million in WIC funding).  It is expected that this funding will be awarded to six to ten applicants with a minimum grant award of $250,000 per year and a maximum potential grant award of up to $1,000,000 per year.  

Grant awards will be for one year (July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018).  Eligible providers of demonstrated effectiveness may also receive continuation funding for up two years (July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 and July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020). To determine if an applicant is an organization of demonstrated effectiveness, all applicants will be required to provide evidence of their ability to improve the skills of adults with low level literacy skills and/or English language learners.  

An independent panel of reviewers, composed of neutral, qualified, and professional individuals selected for their experience in the fields of adult and postsecondary education, training, and workforce development, will review and score the applications based on the funding criteria in Section VI and VII.


Related Content: Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) Grant Competitions, Matching Funds, and Re-Grants