Notice of Funding Opportunity

State Agency Name: Iowa Department of Workforce Development

Funding Opportunity Title: Iowa Language Learners Job Training Program

Announcement Type: Initial

Iowa Workforce Development is requesting proposals from qualified applicants to support the Iowa Language Learners Job Training Program.

IMPORTANT DATES

• Deadline: Grant applications are due by December 2, 2022, at 11:59 a.m. Central Standard Time. Grant applications will not be accepted until October 5, 2022.
• Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) will host a webinar to provide information and an opportunity for a live Q&A on Tuesday, October 11, 2022. More information will be provided on the Future Ready Iowa website: https://www.futurereadyiowa.gov .

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Purpose

The purpose of the Iowa Language Learners Job Training Program is to develop a long-term sustained program designed to reduce barriers in language within the workplace. Applicants must be employers who are expanding an existing program or creating a new program. Programs will provide dual language instruction for current employees to increase English language proficiencies as it relates to duties, policies or procedures for work-related tasks to be performed. Employee participation in the program shall be voluntary. Language courses are encouraged to be conducted onsite at the place of employment or at consortium members’ locations. The hours of instruction per week must be included in the application. Instructors can be certified instructors with fluency in English and the primary language of the students (such as those who possess a teaching degree or certificate); have documented language proficiency credentials for non-native English speakers such as a TOEFL exam or IELTS; or have previous experience serving as an instructor in similar trainings with valid employer references.

The applicant will be required to submit a plan that details a language training program targeted toward reducing language barriers within the workplace and opportunities for participants to advance within their careers.

As a condition of receiving moneys appropriated under this funding opportunity, the subrecipient of the funds shall testify upon the request of any committee or subcommittee of the State of Iowa General Assembly regarding the expenditure of such moneys.

Funding Priorities

There are no listed priorities associated with this award.

Performance Measures

All applications must include performance measures that logically connect a project’s goal(s) with proposed activities and demonstrate an overall change in language proficiencies. Required performance measures to be addressed within the application include but are not limited to:

1. The anticipated number of new language learning programs established for employees.
2. The anticipated number of employees participating within the various programs.
3. The anticipated number of employees completing and/or exiting the various programs.
4. An anticipated measure of increase in language proficiency within the workplace as demonstrated via evaluation tools.
5. The anticipated percentage of participants that receive a pay increase or promotion due to the program participation or increase of responsibilities.
6. Current employee retention rates along with the anticipated percentage of employee retention after the program.

All projects must contain a plan for sustainability of the outcome beyond the grant period.

Program Authority

The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds are awarded to States in Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act. Governor Reynolds has allocated a portion of these funds to provide for this program.

Definitions

“Applicant”: an employer and/or employer consortium submitting applications in response to a NOFO located in Iowa.

“NOFO”: Notice of Funding Opportunity and any included attachments, exhibits, schedules, or addenda.

“Participant”: a reportable individual who has received grant-assisted services.

“Consortium”: A group of two or more employers or businesses, at least one of which must be a private employer. Existing partnerships are eligible and encouraged.

“Cohort”: a group of individuals taking part within the same learning experiences at the same time.

“Subgrantee”: a legal entity to which a subgrant is awarded and which is accountable to the grantee for the use of the funds provided.

“Employer”: To be eligible for this grant opportunity, an employer is defined as a business or entity that provides goods or services, controls and directs workers and pays W-2 wages to a minimum of 25 full-time employees. When counting employees for purposes of determining the number of employees, only full-time employees will be counted. Independent contractors and subcontractors do not count as employees.

“Full-Time Employee”: Any employee who works an average of 32 to 40 hours per week consistently.

“High Demand Occupation”: an occupation that is within the job categories of: Advanced Manufacturing Production, Installation and Maintenance, Construction & Engineering, Education, Engineering, Healthcare & Biosciences, Information Technology, Information Technology & Mathematics, Management, or Business & Financial Operations.

AWARD INFORMATION

Estimated Available Funds

The State of Iowa has identified $5,000,000 to support the Iowa Language Learners Job Training Program Grant. The source for funding will be the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Pub L. No. 117-2, Section 9901 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.

Estimated Award Amount

Grant funding awarded through IWD may vary in amounts as determined by the scope of the project. Funding decisions are made as funding is available. IWD is not obligated to provide the maximum grant amount requested and may award multiple projects. Minimum awards will be set at $5,000.

NOTE: Employers will be required to provide documentation supporting the required private spend. The grant award will be paid out on a 50/50 reimbursement match basis.

Project and Award Period

In order to request grant funds, successful applicants must provide proof in the application that private match funds are readily available. Projects must be completed, and all grant funds utilized, within an 18-month time period, and any unexpended funds must be returned to IWD thereafter. No costs incurred prior to 12/01/2022 or after 10/31/2024 are eligible. The business may decide to operate multiple cohorts within this period; however, each cohort will only be eligible for funding up to 32 weeks.

Awardees must provide a detailed report of the progress of the project and the use of funds every quarter, beginning from the date the Memorandum of Understanding between the applicant and the State is fully executed.

Use of Funds

As a condition of receiving the funds appropriated under this request for proposal (RFP), the subrecipient shall testify upon the request of any committee or subcommittee of the State of Iowa General Assembly regarding the expenditures of such funds.

All funds requested through the Budget Narrative and Budget Summary Form should provide justification for the costs and the majority of the funds requested should closely match the program priorities.

Grant funds provided may be used on:

• Program supplies such as computers, software, or headsets
• Instructor wages for up to four hours per week, up to 32 weeks
• Curriculum such as textbooks, workbooks, and curriculum software
• Transportation expenses (only if program occurs offsite of the workplace)
• Grant administration expenses up to 5% or total awarded funds

Ineligible uses of reimbursement funds include, but are not limited to:

• Capital expenditures
• Food, gift vouchers and/or conference travel expenses
• Employee wages
• Fringe benefit expenses

Employee wages are not an eligible reimbursement expense; however, employers that pay their employees for their time spent in the language program may submit proof of wage payments. These wage payments can be considered towards the 50% employer match for the program (up to four (4) hours per week per participant.)

Funds are administered as reimbursement only and no advance payment options are available.

Language courses are encouraged to be conducted onsite at the place of employment or at consortium members’ locations. To ensure transportation is not a barrier to employees, if the language course is unable to be conducted onsite the employer is responsible for including a transportation plan with their application designed to reduce barriers for the employee.

In addition to English language instruction, employers may also provide support to English speakers to learn another language to better communicate with staff or as an aid to recruitment and retention of staff.

Type of Award

Awards will be awarded to employers who are expanding an existing program or creating a new program. Applicants will be evaluated based on the employer business size compared to the size of workforce not proficient in the English language when awarding funds. There is no maximum amount for this award.

• Small businesses: (minimum of 25 but fewer than 75 full-time employees)
• Medium sized businesses: (75 to 249 full-time employees)
• Large businesses: (250 or more full-time employees)

Cost Sharing or Matching Funds

This is a 50/50 cost sharing agreement in which ARP SLFRF funds will be utilized to cover 50% of the proposed project costs and the remaining 50% will be funded by private investment. Applicants must provide proof of the existence of the required private investment. Acceptable proof must be a certified statement from an FDIC – insured financial institution holding the funds. In the absence of a statement from a financial institution, an affidavit from a certified public accountant can be used to certify the existence of the required private investment. Awardees will submit reimbursement requests on a quarterly basis providing appropriate documentation of incurred expenses related to the program. Approved eligible expenses will be reimbursed at 50% of the total eligible expenditures. Wages paid to program participants for class hours are not an eligible reimbursement expense, however wages paid for class hours may be submitted as the 50% private investment.

Reporting Requirements

Successful applicants will be required to submit a Quarterly Narrative Progress Report each quarter, and a final report to IWD on specific grant activities funded with this award.

The report will summarize project activity outputs, performance outcomes and other deliverables and key performance indicators of the project, including but not limited to:

1. Demographic information of participants.
2. Total number of participant enrollment.
3. Number of new additional language learning programs established for employees.
4. Total number of participants actively enrolled within various programs.
5. Total number of participants completing training.
6. Total number of participants exiting the program without completing training.
7. Total number of participants completing training and attaining an industry-recognized credential.
8. Measure of language proficiency increase within the workplace as demonstrated via evaluation tools created by the applicant.
9. Percentage of participants that receive a pay increase or promotion due to program participation or increase of responsibilities.
10. Percentage of employees not enrolled in this program that receive a pay increase or promotion.
11. Percentage of employee retention from before and after the program.

This report will also require a summary of lessons learned and an ongoing plan for sustainability. Successful applicants will also be required to provide measurement tools and metrics used to determine the success of the program.

Quarterly Financial Reports must include invoices, receipts, expenditures, as well as any clarifying statements to document how the funds were spent and certify the funds were used in accordance with the grant application and grant program. The report must include, but is not necessarily limited to:

1. Date funds received.
2. Amount of funds received.
3. Amount of funds provided by the employer.
4. Expenditures that account for how private and public funds were expended.
5. Number of participants that entered the program and completed the program.
6. Wage information both prior to entering the program and upon completion.

Financial Quarterly Reports will not be processed until after the Quarterly Narrative Progress Reports requirements are satisfied. All final documentation for reimbursement and reports issues no later than December 15, 2024.

The Subrecipient, as a non-federal entity carrying out a federal award on behalf of the State of Iowa, shall be considered a subrecipient as defined in the Uniform Guidance (2CFR Part 200) and is subject to the policy requirements placed upon subrecipients by regulations including, but not limited to, the Uniform Guidance and 31 CFR 35.

Retain all records relating to project cost, including supporting documents through December 31, 2032, and to make such records and documents available to Iowa Department of Workforce Development personnel upon request for audit.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

The executed grant agreement will specify conditions for payment and payment schedule. Reimbursements will be made only after all quarterly reporting documents have been submitted and requirements are satisfied.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants include businesses, non-profits and consortiums of employers in good standing with the State of Iowa. Applicants must plan to operate this program onsite at the location of employment or a consortium members’ location and pay participants for wages earned while participating within the program.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to cultivate partnerships where appropriate. Grantees must comply with all applicable provisions of State and federal laws pertaining to nondiscrimination, sexual harassment, and equal employment opportunity.

All non-federal entities that spend $750,000 or more in federal awards during the entity's fiscal year, including ARPA funds, must have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year compliant with 2 CFR 200 Subpart F . This audit must cover the compliance of the entity with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award, as well as the fair presentation of the entity’s financial statements, pursuant to the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR part 200).​