Central PA Gold Medal Initiative

Request for Mini-Grant Proposals forSTEM, Green Jobs or Natural Gas

Career Education Projects

This Request for Proposals is being issued by the Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Corporation (CPWDC)on behalf of the Central PA Gold Medal Initiative.

Eligible Applicants May Include: School Districts, Intermediate Units, Career & Technical Centers, Industry Partnerships, Business and Education Programs, Community Agencies/Organizations, or other non-profit organizations wishing to provide career education for youth. Projects must benefit organizations, youth, educators and other individuals located within the counties of Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union Counties.

Amount of Mini-Grant: Up to $35,000 is available to fund approximately 7 to 10 projects. The dollar amount and number of awards will be determined based on the proposals received. Proposals with budgets under $1,000 or over $5,000 will not be considered.

Project Timeframe: Proposed projects must occur between April 1 and June 30, 2011.

Deadline for Accepting Applications: 4:00pm, February 18, 2011. Bidders will be notified of application status by March 1, 2011.

Send Application Via E-mail To: Tracy Hower at . Please include“Gold Medal Mini-Grant Proposal” in the subject line.

Purpose of Mini-Grants: Successful mini-grant applications will work toward the priorities of the Gold Medal Initiative highlighted below. Applications will be accepted for existing projects, but applicants must demonstrate how the Gold Medal mini-grant will enhance the existing program or activities. Projects must promote STEM, Green Jobs or Natural Gas education/occupationsand assist in developing sustainable career education programs, which aid in the implementation of PDE Career Education and Work StandardsScience and Technology Standards.Projects must incorporate one or more of the following priorities:

  • IntegrateSTEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), Green Jobs or Natural Gas into academics, career awareness, career exploration, and/or work-based learning experiences (including internships)
  • Integrate PDE Career Education and Work Standards into curriculum
  • After-school, weekend or early summer activities for youth in grades 7 and up
  • Build strategies for re-engaging disconnected youth who have dropped out of high school or are aging out of foster care
  • Expand efforts to provide high-quality workforce related professional development for teachers and counselors
  • Strengthen relationships and collaboration with the Career and Technical Education system

In addition, priority will be given to projects that:

  • Involve representatives from business and industry
  • Involve the workforce development network including PA CareerLink®
  • Promote/disseminate information/resources for student, parent and community career awareness
  • Involve 2 or more organizations in delivering or coordinating services and activities

Suggested Resources:There is already a wealth of resources available to promote STEM, Green Jobs and Natural Gas education. Please consider utilizing the following resources. For more information on these, please submit inquiries following the process for technical assistance as outlined below.

  • The Pennsylvania Career Education and Work Standards Toolkit online is a clearinghouse for many career-education related resources from curriculum to assessments. Located at
  • STEM information, lesson plans and activities are available by clicking on the following links:

1 | Request for Mini-Grant Proposals for STEM, Green Jobs and Natural Gas Career Education Projects

  • International Technology EducationAssociation
  • eGFI (American Society for Engineering Education)
  • TeachEngineering
  • Try Engineering
  • Scratch (hosted by MIT)
  • Engineer Girl

1 | Request for Mini-Grant Proposals for STEM, Green Jobs and Natural Gas Career Education Projects

  • Visit CPWDC’s web site for more information on green jobs in Central Pennsylvania and printable “fast facts” sheets that profile green jobs. Other resources for green jobs are available at these links:
  • O*NET Resource Center – The Green Economy
  • Pennsylvania GreenJobs Report
  • Pennsylvania College of Technology has developed a Marcellus Shale Education and Training Center and offers natural gas industrycareer education information here.
  • Contact your local Cooperative Extension office for curricula, project ideas, and classroom resources.
  • The Pennsylvania Career Guide offers student activities and information for career exploration. Available by clicking here, web searching PA Career Guide 2009-2010, or contacting the Center for Workforce Information and Analysis at (717) 787-6466.
  • The Pennsylvania Career Guide- Resource Guide is for educators and instructors to use in conjunction with the PA Career Guide. Available by clicking here, web searching career resource guide and linking to the paworkstats.pa.us site, or by contacting the Center for Workforce Information and Analysis at (717) 787-6466.
  • Organizations such as Junior Achievement, EconomicsPA and local Business-Education committees also offer connections to curriculum and businesses.

Letters of Support: Letter(s) of support and commitment from any schools, businesses, and agencies that will be involved in the project must accompany the application.

Disallowed Costs:

  • ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDS – Please note: there are no administrative funds/allowances with these grants. All funds MUST be used to cover program costs.
  • Purchase of equipment or building construction
  • Development of virtual or internet based tools
  • Reimbursement for the cost of curriculum development, or delivering any direct training services that are available by other funding streams (such as PDE, TANF and WIA)

Match Requirements: All applicants must include evidence of at least a 30% match on the grant funds. Match can be cash or in-kind sources.

Outcomes and Reporting Requirements: Awarded projects will be required to provide monthly email status updates and a final report that incorporates the outcomes identified on the grant application. Mini-grants are funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and additional reporting may be necessary as requested by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Payment Process: Awarded projects will receive 50% of the funding upon execution of the contract. The remaining 50% will be awarded upon completion of the project and a final invoice detailing all expenditures. Please note: awarded projects achieving less than 75% of the projected participation goal may not receive full reimbursement. Therefore, project directors must have adequate marketing efforts in place to ensure maximum participation.

Technical Assistance: All questions must be submitted in writing. E-mail your questions to Tracy Hower at . All questions and answers will be posted on the CPWDC website at (>About Us> RFP and Contracting Opportunities).

Right to Reject: CPWDC reserves the right to reject any and all proposals received in response to this RFP. Acceptance of proposals is contingent upon funding availability.

Conditions of Proposal: All costs incurred in the preparation of a proposal responding to this RFP will be the responsibility of the bidder and will not be reimbursed by CPWDC.

Equal Opportunity: The CPWDC is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Central PA Gold Medal Initiative Mini-Grant Application

Please complete the following:

NAME OF ORGANIZATION:

CONTACT PERSON/TITLE:

ADDRESS:

PHONE:

E-MAIL:

PROJECT TITLE:

  1. STATEMENT OF NEED / PURPOSE: (Clearly identify need in 1 page or less)
  1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES, CURRICULUM, ETC. TO BE UTILIZED:(Not to exceed 3 pages)
  1. ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES AND DELIVERABLES:
  1. RCEP Required Outcomes: Please provide your projected numbersfor each of the following as applicable to your project:
  • Target age group/population
  • Total number of youth engaged in the activity(ies)
  • Number and types of youth job shadowing, company tours, mentoring opportunities
  • Number of internships
  • List employers who will be involved in the project
  • Number of teachers/counselors involved in teacher-in-the-workplace experiences and number receiving Act 48 credits or graduate credits
  • Number of out-of-school youth who acquired a post secondary credential or enrolled in post secondary education upon attainment of a high school diploma or GED
  • Number and types of outreach activities with parents
  • Number and types of outreach activities with community
  • Number of individuals trained (could include CTC students)
  • Number of individuals who enter employment (as a result of project)
  1. Other student outcomes: If your project will produce other outcomes, please list them here.
  1. STANDARDS ADDRESSED: (Career Education and Work Standards and Science and Technology Standards that will be implemented as a result of this activity/program)
  1. HOW DOES THIS ACTIVITY/PROJECT ALIGN WITH THE GOLD MEDAL PRIORITIES LISTED ON PAGE 2?
  1. OTHER IMPACTS SUCH AS CHANGES IN CURRICULUM/TEACHING METHODS RESULTING FROM EXPERIENCES:
  1. DESCRIBE PLANS FOR MARKETING TO ENSURE MAXIMUM PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITY/PROJECT.
  1. LONG TERM SUSTAINABILITYFOR CONTINUING THE PROJECT AFTER INITIAL FUNDING:
  1. LIST PARTNERING ORGANIZATIONS (INCLUDING INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS) AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PROJECT:
  1. TIMELINE FOR IMPLEMENTATION:
  1. HOW AND WITH WHOM WILL PROJECT OUTCOMES BE SHARED?

  1. DETAILED PROJECT BUDGET: Complete the Budget form below. Proposal must show at least a 30% match which can be cash and/or in-kind. Please include a brief budget narrative describing each line item and the match.

Budget Components / Estimated Budget
Salaries
Fringe Benefits
Travel
Equipment
Supplies
Contractual
Other
Total Grant Request
Total Match – 30%(describe sources and distinguish between cash and in-kind below).

1 | Request for Mini-Grant Proposals for STEM, Green Jobs and Natural Gas Career Education Projects