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WEP Literacy Zone RFP Questions

Question # 1.  Since this project is funded with WEP monies, are applicants required to have any referral agreements signed with the local county Social Service Department, or is the LSSD inclusion in the partner matrix with associated letter of commitment required and therefore sufficient.

Applicants should have a substantive letter of intent from all partners in the partner matrix, including the LSSD.

Question #2.  Why are Community Based Organizations not eligible to apply for a WEP grant? It would appear that CBOs are well suited to provide the services that the goal of WEP is trying to meet; that is “to provide instructional programs in adult literacy below the post-secondary level and support services, such as educational counseling and guidance".

Under WEP legislation, only school districts and BOCES are eligible to receive WEP funding.

 Question #3.  Are districts without SINI or SURR schools ineligible to apply?

Districts without SINI or SURR schools are eligible to apply.  However, if a SURR or SINI school is located in the proposed Literacy Zone, it must be included in the proposed plan.

Question #4.  The 'program services' section of the RFP states that in order to be eligible you must provide age-appropriate education to prepare children for success in school and life experiences.  However, it also states that funds may only be used for adult education purposes.  Is this a mandate that all components of family literacy services are provided in-kind by a partner? 

These funds cannot be used to support instructional programs for children and youth under age sixteen.  However, they can be used for family literacy which integrates adult literacy training for parents; interactive literacy activities between parents and children; and training for parents regarding how to be the primary teacher for their children and full partners in the education of their children.

Question #5.  Do all providers have to have offices in the targeted zip code or is that zip code is part of the area they serve is it OK to include them as providers?

Providers do not have to have offices in the targeted Literacy Zone, but there must be concrete proof of service delivery in the Literacy Zone, as described in the partner matrix and letters of intent.

Question #6.  There appears to be discrepancy between the preplanning calendar time frame. On page 3 of the application portion it refers to a calendar of 3 months but the rubric asks for a 6 month planning calendar. Which is it?

Please provide a calendar of 3 months.

Question #7.  The rubric is cut off on the side when it is printed. Can you put out one that landscape?

Applicants should be able to reformat the printer using the landscape setting or copy and paste into word, then print.

Question #8.  Can adult students served under other federal/state funding streams also be counted under Literacy Zone/WEP funding?

Students served with WEP funds and any Employment Preparation Education (EPE) state aid that is generated through WEP must be clearly identified in the budget as well as proposed performance targets.  Students from other funding streams may be included in the description of overall services in the Literacy Zone and in the partners’ matrix.

Question #9.  Can a CBO or a Public Housing Authority be the lead agent?

No.  The legislation is clear that only a school district or BOCES may be the lead agent.

Question #10.  Can a CBO or a Public Housing Authority be the lead agent with the School District or BOCES as part of the consortium?

No.  The legislation is clear that only a school district or BOCES may be the lead agent.

Question #11.  Please list all eligible organizations who can apply for this grant as the lead fiscal agent?

The legislation is clear that only a school district or BOCES may be the lead agent.

Question #12.  Please list organizations not eligible to act as lead fiscal agent, but be a part of the consortium.

The legislation is clear that only a school district or BOCES may be the lead agent.  The legislation does not limit other partners in the consortium.  The application must follow the sub-contracting and consortium requirements set forth in the request for proposals.

Question #13.  Should we include letters of support from interested community stakeholders who are not included on the Partner Matrix?

You may.

Question #14.  Could you please define what you consider to be public assistance?

Any recipient of state or federal public assistance or a recipient whose family income is up to 200% poverty.

Question #15.  Under this RFP, what qualifies someone to be a public assistance recipient?

Any recipient of state or federal public assistance or a recipient whose family income is up to 200% poverty.

Question #16.  Is there a threshold amount for public assistance?

Family income of up to 200% the level of poverty.

Question #17.  Do all clients served under the WEP Literacy Zone initiative need to be public assistance recipients?

No, so long as public assistance recipients are served, and students are out-of-school and do not have a high school diploma or the equivalent.

Question #18.  I understand that several communities have Literacy Zones that are already established. Will these applicants be competing with new applications in the current funding cycle?

Currently funded Literacy Zone communities may apply for a separate Literacy Zone that does not geographically overlap with the currently funded Literacy Zone and does not duplicate the use of federal funding already awarded.

Question #19.  Were awards made for the first Literacy Zone round and if so, is a list of recipients available?

A list of currently funded Literacy Zones is available upon request from the Office of Adult Education and Workforce Development.  Please call Marisa Boomhower at 518-474-8940.