Florida Department Of Education

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Request for Application (RFA Discretionary)

Bureau / Office

Division of Workforce Education

Program Name

Adult Education and Family Literacy – State Leadership, English Literacy / Civics Education, Regional Training Councils, Regions I, II, III, IV and V - Non-Competitive

Specific Funding Authority (ies)

Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA)

State Grant Programs Title II of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA)

CFDA #84.002, Web site: https://www.cfda.gov/index?cck=1&au=&ck

Funding Purpose/Priorities

Regional Training Councils will work in conjunction with the Florida Department of Education and the literacy providers to provide services and achieve the following:

1. Professional development activities that are aligned with the Adult Education Strategic Plan for Professional Development and include ongoing and intensive strands in the areas of English for Speakers of Other Languages and Civics Education.

2. Collaboration and coordination implementing virtual staff development and distance learning activities.

3. Assessing the needs of educators and administrators serving English for Speakers of Other Languages students.

4. Support, development, and coordination of regional trainers for professional development activities.

5. Provide travel assistance to English for Speakers of Other Languages practitioners attending regional staff development activities.

6. Integration of English literacy instruction and rights and responsibilities of citizenship and civic participation, occupational skills training, and promoting linkages with industry.

7. Additional training is allowable, however, the following training must be provided:

At least one regional training in each of the following areas —

· Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) Implementation: Assessing and Reporting Student Outcomes

· Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) Implementation: Beyond Implementation

· Test Selection

Type of Award

Discretionary/Continuation

Total Funding Amount

$125,000 total – see Funding Matrix in Attachments section for individual agency allocations.

The review committee and/or the Commissioner may recommend an amount greater or less than the amount requested in the proposal.

Budget Period

July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010

For Federal programs, the project effective date will be the date that the application is received within Florida Department of Education (FDOE) meeting conditions for acceptance, or the date of receipt of the Federal Award Notification, whichever is later.

If the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act is extended for an additional year, approved projects that have met all requirements for accountability, reporting and performance will be extended for one year provided the extended Act permits such. A new or reauthorized Act may have different requirements.

Program Performance Period

Same as Budget Period, see above.

Target Population

Educators and service providers providing direct English Literacy / Civics Education instructional and program services to qualified individuals who must be 16 years of age or older, beyond compulsory school age, not have a secondary school diploma, are not enrolled in a secondary school, and who may also be limited in English proficiency

and qualifying adult learners.

AEFLA, Section 203, (10) INDIVIDUAL OF LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY. – the term “individual of limited English proficiency” means an adult or out-of school youth who has limited ability in speaking, reading, writing, or understanding the English language, and –

(A) whose native language is language other than English; or

(B) who lives in a family or community environment where a language other than English is the dominant language.

Eligible Applicant(s)

See Funding Matrix in Attachments section of this RFA.

Application Due Date

June 30, 2009

The due date refers to the date of receipt in Grants Management. For Federal programs, the project effective date will be the date that the application is received within DOE meeting conditions for acceptance, or the date of receipt of the Federal Award Notification, whichever is later.

Contact Persons

· Director Contact: Zelda Rogers, 850.245.9906,

· Project Management Contact: Ila Waite-Burns, 850.245.9066,

· Grants Management Contact: Debbie Bradford, 850.245.0746,

Assurances

The Department of Education has developed and implemented a document entitled, General Terms, Assurances and Conditions for Participation in Federal and State Programs, to comply with:

· 34 CFR 76.301 of the Education Department General Administration Regulations (EDGAR) which requires local educational agencies to submit a common assurance for participation in federal programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education;

· applicable regulations of other Federal agencies; and

· State regulations and laws pertaining to the expenditure of state funds.

In order to receive funding, applicants must have on file with the Department of Education, Office of the Comptroller, a signed statement by the agency head certifying applicant adherence to these General Assurances for Participation in State or Federal Programs. The complete text may be found at http://fldoe.org/comptroller/doc/gbsectiond.doc.

School Districts, Community Colleges, Universities and State Agencies

The certification of adherence filed with the Department of Education Comptroller’s Office shall remain in effect indefinitely unless a change occurs in federal or state law, or there are other changes in circumstances affecting a term, assurance, or condition; and does not need to be resubmitted with this application.

Private Colleges, Community-based Organizations, and Other Agencies

In order to complete requirements for funding, applicants must submit the certification page signed by the agency head certifying applicant adherence to the general terms, assurances, and conditions. Please note that private colleges, community-based organizations, and other non-public agencies must also submit copies of the organization’s current budget, a list of its board of directors, and if available, a copy of its most recent annual audit report prepared by an independent certified public accountant licensed in this state. These items must be submitted prior to the issuance of a project award.

Funding Method

Reimbursement with Performance - Payment made upon submission of documented allowable expenditures, plus documentation of completion of specified performance objectives.

All applicants are advised that grantees will be funded according to the projected outcomes in their applications. In the event that performances do not meet projected goals and result in overpayment, the overpayment must be returned to the Florida Department of Education by August 20, 2010, along with the final DOE 499 form. Monitoring and performance reports will assist grantees in achieving their performance goals and avoiding overpayment.

Funded recipients will receive their allocation (to be determined by the Florida Department of Education) and will be specified on the Project Award Notification, DOE 200.

Fiscal Requirements

Supporting documentation for expenditures is required for all funding methods. Examples of such documentation include: invoices with check numbers verifying payment, and/or bank statements; all or any of which must be available upon request.

Failure to submit fiscal reports in the timeframes stipulated renders the project out of compliance and may result in early termination and ineligibility for future funding.

All private non-profit applicants (including CBOs, FBOs, and other private non-profit entities) that prior to submission of invoice for payments, recipients of DOE grants are required to attend fiscal management training.

Records Retention

It is the responsibility of the fiscal agency to retain records for financial transactions and supporting documentation for auditing purposes. If records are requested by the Florida Department of Education or the State of Florida Division of Financial Services, all records must be provided. Records should be maintained for five years from the last day of the program or longer if there is an ongoing investigation or audit.

Administrative Provisions, Funding Shall Supplement Not Supplant

According to AEFLA, Section 241 (a) -- Funds made available for adult education and literacy activities under this subtitle shall supplement and not supplant other state or local public funds expended for adult education and literacy activities.

Non-duplication of Effort

According to AEFLA, Section 221 (3) -- It is the responsibility of the eligible agency to coordinate and ensure non-duplication with other federal and state education, training, corrections, public housing, and social service programs.

Local Administrative Cost Limits

In accordance with AEFLA, Section 233 (a-b):

(a) In General.-- Subject to subsection (b), of the amount that is made available under this subtitle to an eligible provider –

(1) not less than 95 percent shall be expended for carrying out adult education and literacy activities; and

(2) the remaining amount, not to exceed five percent, shall be used for planning, administration, personnel development, and interagency coordination.

(b) Special Rule. -- In cases where the cost limits described in subsection (a) are too restrictive to allow for adequate planning, administration, personnel development, and interagency coordination, the eligible provider shall negotiate with the eligible agency in order to determine an adequate level of funds to be used for noninstructional purposes.

Positions such as project coordinator, accountant, clerical staff, or other positions not directly involved in instructional activities of students are considered administrative. Travel, equipment, and supplies for administrators are also considered administrative costs unless used for the purpose of providing personnel development directly related to Adult Education and Family Literacy students. Indirect costs are considered administrative costs and applicable to Local Education Agencies ONLY.

Amendment Procedures

Project amendments may be proposed by the project recipient or by the DOE Program Manager. Amendments will be approved according to the procedures described in the Green Book. Award recipients shall obtain prior approval through a formal amendment process and submission of the DOE 150 and 151 forms available in the Green Book and on the Division of Workforce Education Grants website at: http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/dwdgrants/default.asp

Requirements for CBOs, FBOs and other Private Not-for-Profit Organizations

· List of current Board of Directors and Articles of Incorporation

· Copy of current operating budget

· Copy of current audit report – if available

· Copy of Chart of Accounts

· General Terms, Assurances and Conditions for Participation in Federal and State Programs

· Proof of eligibility to operate a business in Florida (signed document from Florida Secretary of State)

Grants Fiscal Management Training Requirement

Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs), and other private not-for-profit organizations that are recipients or sub-recipients of DOE grants are required to participate, annually, in Grants Fiscal Management Training offered by the DOE. Failure to obtain the training can have a negative impact on the ability of the Florida Department of Education to provide future funding to the organization.

Invoicing Procedures

ALL agencies that are not paid through the Florida Department of Education, Federal Cash Advance On-line System, and are paid by Reimbursement of Expenditures or Reimbursement with Performance must invoice for reimbursement. See instructions on the Project Award Notification, DOE 200, to determine reimbursement requirements for awarded project(s).

The status of the agency’s invoice for payment is available through the Department of Education’s online grants management system at: http://gms.fldoe.org/gms/gms_home/home.jsp.

FORMS REQUIRED FOR EACH INVOICE /
The following forms are required for agencies that invoice. They provide accountability for financial expenditures based on performance deliverables. Each time an invoice is submitted, all appropriate forms and backup documentation must be included in the invoice request for payment. /
Form / Supporting Documentation
Must accompany forms /
Performance-Based Project Deliverables Form / Performance-Based Project Deliverables Form – Also, return with application
This form is available in the Attachments section of this RFA.
Workforce Leadership Invoice Form / Workforce Leadership Invoice Form - Return with each invoice
This form is available in the Attachments section of this RFA and is also be available at: http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/dwdgrants/default.asp / · Documentation of activities listed on the Performance-Based Project Deliverables Form
DOE 300 / For Non-Governmental Recipients Only, Detail of Salary Expenditures
Form available at: Green Book
http://fldoe.org/comptroller/gbook.asp / · Payroll register
· Timesheets
DOE 301 / Detail of Monthly Transactions
Form available at: Green Book / · A copy of all invoices/receipts must be attached to support this request.
· All invoices and receipts must include a legible itemized description of purchases.
DOE 499 / (Adult Education) -- Interim and Final
Form available at: Green Book

Submit invoices and all supporting documentation to:

Office of Grants Management

Florida Department of Education

325 West Gaines Street, Room 325, Unit B

Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400

Attention: Sue Wilkinson

Reporting Outcomes

Submission of invoices and Quarterly Reports as listed and approved on the Invoice Schedule Form, that align with information also submitted and approved on the Performance-Based Project Deliverables Form. The invoices and the required documentation for deliverables will provide the program manager with the necessary information to determine whether the recipient is meeting the approved performance measures for the project.

Compliance Monitoring

The state will evaluate the effectiveness of project activities based on established and approved performance goals. Department staff monitors recipients’ compliance with program and fiscal requirements according to applicable federal and state laws and regulations specified by: Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars, and Florida Department of Financial Services Reference Guide for State Expenditures and guidelines published in the Florida Department of Education’s Green Book.

Project Performance Accountability and Reporting Requirements

The Department’s program managers will track each project’s performance based on the information provided on the Project Performance Accountability Forms in this RFA.

NARRATIVE SECTION

Project Design-Narrative

· Before completing any forms and charts provided in this RFA, save them as a Word document on your computer or on a disk.

· Use Arial, size 12-point font with 1 inch margins on all sides for narrative text.

· Use a 10 page maximum for narrative responses. This does not include any required forms that must accompany the application.

· Responses should be brief, clear and concise.

· For a full list of all items to be included in the application package, refer to the Application Review Criteria and Checklist in the Attachments section.

1) a) Abstract (maximum two pages to be counted in the 10 page maximum)