Volume 16, Number 1
January 2016
Headlines
Employment and Training Administration Hosted National Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Summit. Collaborative teams from across the U.S. and its territories met in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 26-28 for a national convening, titled, "One Team, One Vision, One Conversation." Representatives from Governors' offices assembled teams from state and local and entities that represented a variety of stakeholders, including economic development, education, public assistance programs, vocational rehabilitation, and workforce. One specific session featured during the summit included: Reinventing Youth Services Under WIOA. This session provided a high-level overview of the major WIOA youth changes, including guidance provided in the two WIOA youth operating guidance letters. Specific focus areas included serving out-of-school youth, increasing work experience opportunities, and forming youth standing committees. The session also focused on the importance of partnering and collaboration across youth-serving systems and provided examples of critical partnerships to pursue. To view the WIOA National Convening highlights, visit:
Employment and Training Administration Publishes January 2016 Update to Upcoming Funding Competitive Opportunities. The Employment and Training Administration has published the January 2016 update of upcoming funding competitive opportunities. To view the view the funding opportunities, visit: https://www.doleta.gov/grants/pdf/ETA_Funding_Opportunities.pdf
CareerOneStop Seeks Youth and Young Adult Success Stories. CareerOneStop ( plans to incorporate success story videos into its new youth/young adult career, education, and workforce development website and related mobile resources. Applicants should submit compelling, engaging video testimonials developed by young people who have faced one or more challenges such as homelessness, incarceration, foster care, an extended period out of school, or other barrier to employment. The focus of the video should be a first-person narrative describing how these challenges were met and how these challenges were eventually overcome and led to success and a career. Video submissions should include the following:
Target Audience: Youth and young adults ages 16 through 24; Video Length: Approximately 90 seconds (can be shorter or longer); Video Format: .MPF or .MOV; Minimum resolution: 1280 X 720; No Graphics: No graphics added to the video (e.g. names/titles, captioning, etc.); Release/Publishing Permission: Please obtain, before you submit your video, the proper release permissions from participants. By submitting the video you are verifying this has been done and can be produced if requested. Videos should be uploaded to:
Employment and Training Administration (ETA) Issues Training and Employment Notice (TEN) on ApprenticeshipUSA Information and New Technical Assistance Resources for Starting and Enhancing Registered Apprenticeship Programs. TEN 20-15 seeks to expand apprenticeships across the country by announcing ApprenticeshipUSA and launching related promotional and technical assistance resources for starting and enhancing Registered Apprenticeship Programs. To view TEGL 20-15, visit: https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=5551.
Secretary of Education Announces “Opportunity for America Tour”; Visits Planned to High Schools, Microsoft’s School of the Future, Community College. U.S. Department of Education’s Acting Secretary John King has announced his Opportunity Across America tour! He’ll meet with students, teachers, principals, parents and community leaders in four states and Washington, D.C. The tour will start in El Paso, Texas, on Thursday, and continue with visits to Houston, Texas; Washington, D.C.; Orlando, Florida; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Wilmington, Delaware. King will highlight the good work going on in schools and communities across the country and hear stories, experiences and insights about what’s working and where there is more work to be done. Additional information and a list of schools to be visited are available at: https://www.ed.gov/news/media-advisories/us-acting-education-secretary-john-king-announces-opportunity-across-america-tour.
Department of Education Seeks Comment on Information Collection in Support of the “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP).” The Department of Education’s Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) discretionary grant program is designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. GEAR UP provides six-year grants to states and partnerships to provide services at high-poverty middle and high schools. GEAR UP grantees serve an entire cohort of students beginning no later than the seventh grade and follow the cohort through high school. GEAR UP funds are also used to provide college scholarships to low-income students. The Annual Performance Report for Partnership and State Projects is a required report that GEAR UP grant recipients must submit annually. The purpose of this information collection is for accountability. The data is used to report on progress in meeting the performance objectives of GEAR UP, program implementation, and student outcomes. The data collected includes budget data on Federal funds and match contributions, demographic data, and data regarding services provided to students. To obtain additional information, visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/12/24/2015-32337/agency-information-collection-activities-comment-request-annual-performance-report-for-the-gaining. Deadline: Comments due February 22.
U.S. Department of Education Seeks Comment on National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 Phase II. The U.S. Department of Education has published the sixty-day notice in support of the proposed information collection for the “National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 Phase II.” The National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 (NLTS 2012) is the third in a series of studies being conducted by the Department with the goal of describing the characteristics, secondary school experiences, transition, and outcomes of youth who receive special education services under IDEA. Phase II of NLTS 2012 will utilize high school and post-high school administrative records data to collect information in three broad areas important to understanding outcomes for youth with disabilities: (1) high school course-taking and outcomes, (2) post-secondary outcomes, and (3) employment and earnings outcomes. Phase II collected information will build on a survey of a nationally representative set of students with and without IEPs from Phase I of the study to address key questions. To obtain additional information, visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/12/29/2015-32688/agency-information-collection-activities-comment-request-national-longitudinal-transition-study-2012. Deadline: Comments due on or before February 29.
U.S. Department of Treasury Announces Information Collections for Evaluation of a Near-Peer Counseling Program for High School and College Students on Pursuing and Financing their Higher Education. The U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Consumer Policy, plans to use a combination of web-based information collection tools and in-person interviews to survey high school and college students who are participating in a near-peer counseling program that seeks to inform them about options for pursuing and financing their higher education. The data collected will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the near-peer counseling program. The information collections are planned for 2016. To obtain additional information, visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/12/29/2015-32754/proposed-information-collection-comment-request-treasury-financial-empowerment-innovation-fund. Deadline: Comments due February 29.
Funding Announcements and opportunities
National Science Foundation Announces Funding Opportunity under the Tribal Colleges and Universities Program. The National Science Foundation (NSF) is accepting applications from programs funded under the Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP). TCUP provides awards to Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaska Native-serving institutions, and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions to promote high quality science (including sociology, psychology, anthropology, economics, statistics, and other social and behavioral sciences as well as natural sciences and education disciplines), technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, research, and outreach. Community colleges are eligible to apply. To obtain additional information and an application, visit: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2016/nsf16531/nsf16531.pdf?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click. Deadline: Rolling.
opportunities for youth, young adults, and teachers
Microsoft Invites Applications for its DigiGirlz High Tech Camp. Microsoft is accepting applications for its DigiGirlz High Tech Camp for girls. The camp works to dispel stereotypes of the high-tech industry. During the camp session, the girls listen to executive speakers, participate in technology tours and demonstrations, network, and learn through hands-on experience in workshops. This year camps will take place at various dates throughout the summer in Stonybrook, NY; Charlotte, NC; Fargo, ND; Redmond, WA; Las Colinas, TX; and St. Louis, MO. Girls grades 9-11 in the 2015-2016 school year, and at least age 13 at time of application, with some location exceptions are eligible to apply. Awardees will receive free attendance to camp. To obtain additional information and application, visit: Deadline: varies by location.
U.S. Department of Education Announces Funding Opportunity under “Talent Search Program.” The U.S. Department of Education is accepting applications for its Talent Search Program. The program is designed to identify qualified individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds with potential for education at the postsecondary level and encourage them to complete secondary school and undertake postsecondary education. Talent Search projects publicize the availability of, and facilitate the application for, student financial assistance for persons who seek to pursue postsecondary education, and encourage persons who have not completed programs at the secondary or postsecondary level to enter or reenter and complete these programs. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, public and private agencies, and organizations including community-based organizations with experience in serving disadvantaged youth, combinations of such institutions, agencies and organizations, and secondary schools, for planning, developing, or carrying out one or more of the services identified under this program. To obtain additional information and an application, visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/12/22/2015-32089/applications-for-new-awards-talent-search-program. Deadline: February 5, 2016.
Bezos Family Foundation Invites Applications for its Scholar Program. The Bezos is accepting applications from U.S. high school juniors and educators to participate in their year-long leadership development program. The program kicks off with an all-expenses-paid scholarship to attend the acclaimed Aspen Ideas Festival (AIF), a gathering of thinkers and change agents from around the world. Throughout the academic year, Scholars participate in virtual Bezos Scholars Program trainings and are invited to apply for a $1,000 seed grant to design and implement their Local Ideas Festival. To obtain additional information and an application, visit: Deadline: February 16.
U.S. Department of Energy Invites Applicants for its Geothermal Design Challenge 2016. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Office, in partnership with the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) invites high school and university student teams to design an infographic that will illustrate how geothermal energy is clean, safe, reliable and sustainable. Winning teams in each category will receive $2,500. The grand prize winner will receive $2,500 and a trip to the Geothermal Resource Council 40th Annual Meeting on Oct 23-26 in Sacramento, CA. To obtain additional information and an application, visit: Deadline: March 1.
National Science Foundation Announces Funding Opportunity under the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program to Increase Student Engagement and Diversity. The National Science Foundation is accepting applications for its Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program. The program is an international science and education program providing students, educators, and the public with the opportunity to participate in protocol-driven data collection and the scientific process, while also contributing meaningfully to our understanding of the Earth system and global environment. To obtain additional information and an application, visit: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2016/nsf16527/nsf16527.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click. Deadline: March 28.
World of Children Invites Nominations for 2016 Awards Program. The World of Children is accepting nominations for its 2016 award program. The program was created to recognize individuals who make a difference into the lives of children in the United States and across the globe, regardless of political, religious, or geographical boundaries. The program awards grants in five categories to support proven, high-impact programs created by individuals for children that help ensure more children’s lives will be touched, improved, and changed forever. The categories include:
1) Protection Award: Recognizes individuals making extraordinary contributions to children so that they can live free from fear, abuse, and exploitation (including but not limited to trafficking, slavery, and sexual imposition). The minimum grant award is $50,000.
2) Education Award: Recognizes individuals making substantial contributions to children in the educational arena, including individuals who have made and are making education available to severely underserved populations, those who innovate new and effective methods of learning and teaching, and those whose work creates educational opportunity for children who are challenged or disenfranchised. The minimum grant award is $50,000.
3) Humanitarian Award: Recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution to children in the areas of social services, education, or humanitarian services. Nominees must have created, managed, or otherwise supported a sustainable program that has significantly contributed to children’s opportunities to be safe, to learn, and to grow; do this work over and above their normal employment or work for little or no pay; have been doing the work for a minimum of ten years; and have an existing nonprofit organization in good standing that can receive grant funds. The minimum grant award is $50,000.
4) Health Award: Recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution to children in the fields of health, medicine, or the sciences. Nominees must have created, managed, or otherwise supported a sustainable program that has significantly contributed to the improved health of children; do this work over and above their normal employment or work for little or no pay; have been doing this work for a minimum of ten years; and have an existing nonprofit organization in good standing that can receive grant funds. The minimum grant award is $50,000.
5) Youth Award: Recognizes youth that are making extraordinary contributions to the lives of other children. Nominees must be under the age of 21 by the nomination submission deadline; have an existing nonprofit organization in good standing that can receive grant funds; and have been doing this work for a minimum of three years by the nomination submission deadline. The minimum grant award is $25,000.
To obtain additional information and application, visit: . Deadline: April 1.
Kessler Foundation Seeks Applications for New Jersey-Based Job Programs for People with Disabilities. The Kessler Foundation has announced a Request for Proposals focused on awarding projects, primarily in New Jersey, that increase employment and career opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The program seeks to support projects, programs, capacity building, pilot initiatives, and creative solutions that focus on job placement, education, training, and retention for New Jersey citizens with disabilities. These solutions must improve the employment landscape and lead to full-time or part-time employment, and thereby provide the independence and economic self-sufficiency important for living a purposeful life. Priority is given to projects serving individuals with mobility disabilities, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, stroke, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, epilepsy or other impairments primarily from neuromuscular disorders. Nonprofit organizations serving New Jersey residents that are tax-exempt according to the Internal Revenue Code are eligible to apply. This includes nonprofit organizations, public/private schools, and public institutions. The foundation will accept applications from groups based outside New Jersey as long as the proposed grant projects are based in New Jersey and serve New Jersey residents. Awardees will receive two-year grants of up to $100,000. To obtain additional information and an application, visit: Deadline: April 4.
Elaine Chapin Fund Invites Applications for 2016 Scholarship Program. The Elaine Chapin Fund is accepting applications for its 2016 Scholarship Fund program. The program supports the postsecondary education of students affected by multiple sclerosis, either directly or as a family member of someone with MS. The fund will award a minimum of eight $1,000 scholarships for the fall 2016 semester to deserving students. Recipients will be chosen on the basis of financial need, academic standing, and the impact multiple sclerosis has had on their lives. Eligible applicants must be a citizen of the United States who plans to enroll or is enrolled in an undergraduate course of study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational/ technical school in the U.S. Applicants also must be talking a minimum of twelve credit hours per semester in course work leading to a degree, license, or certificate.
. Deadline: April 30.
National Association of Teachers of Mathematics School Invites Applications Training Grants for 9-12 Grade Math Teachers. The National Association of Teachers of Mathematics is accepting applications for its School In-Service Training grants to support the professional development of 9–12 grade teachers to support their professional development, pedagogical content knowledge, and knowledge of students as learners of mathematics. Schools with current Individual members of the association are eligible to apply. Awardees will receive grants of up to $4,000. To obtain additional information and an application, visit: Deadline: May 6.
Publications
Easing Reentry through Employability Skills Training for Incarcerated Youth. This article released by the National Institute of Corrections focuses on services and supports at each of these critical stages, specifically regarding employability skills. These skills, although supportive of, are different than vocational skills. Beyond specific trade skills, employability skills include at a minimum: effective communication, problem solving, taking responsibility, and teamwork. These skills are important in many areas in addition to employment, but they are perhaps most essential to obtain and hold a job. Thus, in this article, the psychological damage of youth incarceration is examined as well as the impact on obtaining and maintaining employment post incarceration. Existing programs and supports for employability skills are explored for before, during, and after incarceration. Finally, resources for practitioners are provided and the needs for future research are discussed" (p. 42). Sections of this article include: introduction; the importance of employability skills; psychological damage; trauma-informed care; employment post incarceration; conceptual framework—life course theory; instructional programs targeting competencies for employability skills—before incarceration (examples of employability skills programs, and missed opportunities), during incarceration (examples of employability skills programs, and unmet need), and after incarceration (examples of employability skills programs, and remaining needs); the necessity of further research and development—resources for practitioners, future research, programs and practices, desistance or recidivism, and community-based alternatives; and conclusion. To view the article, visit: http://nicic.gov/library/030177.