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A Federal Partnership between the Corporation for National Community Service; the United States Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, and Labor; and the United States Social Security Administration APPLICATION GUIDELINES for ADVANCED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE YOUTH VISION FORUMS: LEVEL REGIONAL The Shared Youth Vision Federal Collaborative Partnership (SYVFCP) extends an invitation to apply for advanced technical assistance and support to states/U.S. territories and Federally Recognized Tribal Governments and Alaska Natives implementing a new, shared youth vision. The Federal Partnership is comprised of the following organizations: • Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and the Office of Disability Employment Policy; • Corporation for National Community Service; • Department of Education (Office of Vocational and Adult Education, Office of Indian Education, and Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services); • Department of Health and Human Services (Administration for Children & Families and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration); • Department of Housing and Urban Development, • Department of Justice (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention); and • Social Security Administration. Facilitation will be provided to up to 16 selected applicant teams (teams are made up of each partner agency identified in an application) to assist in the implementation of their shared youth vision. This advanced technical guidance will include assistance with aligning resources, staffing, addressing barriers and challenges, resource mapping, and identifying specific outcomes and other projects resulting from their work. The technical assistance provided will be geared toward each team’s specific interagency goals and objectives that best integrate shared services to the neediest youth in their area. Applicants for this Shared Youth Vision Phase II activity need not have participated in the previous series of Youth Forums held in the fall of 2004. The Federal Partnership will sponsor two Advanced Level Technical Assistance Youth Vision Forums (ALTAYVF). This opportunity will provide those teams selected to attend the advanced forums to: Receive additional Advanced Technical Assistance (ATA) at the forums, designed to meet the individualized needs of their team; Apply for potential selection as a pilot state, and if selected receive additional technical assistance and the potential for funding; Receive direct access to Federal representatives to assist with problem solving; and Be recognized as an innovative leader in implementing the vision to serve the Nation’s neediest youth. Proposal Due: July 25, 2006 - one application per state/territory/Federally – recognized tribal government or Alaska Native team. Selection Announcement: August 2006 DOL/ETA Contact: Jacqui Freeman- (202) 693-3473 freeman.jacqui@dol.gov Cost: Awardees will be responsible for the travel of all state team members; however, there will be no cost for the training. Background: The 2003 White House Task Force Report on Disadvantaged Youth notes that despite the billions of Federal, state, local and private dollars spent on needy youth and their families, many out-of-school, at-risk youth are being left behind in our economy because of a lack of program focus and emphasis on outcomes. Well-designed and coordinated programs offer youth who have become disconnected from mainstream institutions and systems additional opportunities to successfully transition to adult roles and responsibilities. In response to the White House Report the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Labor, the Social Security Administration, and the Corporation for National Community Service, have committed to a collaborative approach at the national, state, and local levels to serving our nation's neediest youth as identified in the White House Report (defined as drop-outs, foster youth, juvenile offenders, children of incarcerated parents, migrant youth and also expanded to include American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth and youth with disabilities). We seek to develop innovative approaches, enhance the quality of services delivered, improve efficiencies, and improve the outcomes for the youth we serve. Specifically, the SYVFCP was created to ensure that the communication, coordination, and collaboration recommended by the White House Task Force occurs and to focus on the following objectives outlined in the Report: Developing and coordinating policy, within existing policy structures to address the needs of disadvantaged youth; Maximizing interagency collaborations to utilize the significant expertise within specific Federal agencies; Coordinating Federal research so the government can fund programs that produce results that help disadvantaged youth; Finding and elevating models of "what-works" and help replicate them nationwide; and Developing innovative model strategies that efficiently and effectively respond to the needs of disadvantaged youth. Phase I of the Shared Youth Vision initiative was to convene Regional Forums (Fall 2004) designed to: Communicate the shared vision and commitment to collaboration; Facilitate the creation of teams that will undertake strategic planning activities to develop cross-agency systems to better serve the neediest youth through improved leveraging of resources, policy alignment, and other activities; and Develop strategies to enlist Federal support of teams. PROJECT OVERVIEW – SHARED YOUTH VISION, PHASE II As a follow-up to the initial three Regional Youth Forums that occurred in the fall of 2004, the Federal partners will sponsor two advance forums. These forums are designed for those states/U.S. territories and Federally Recognized Tribal Governments and Alaska Native teams that have moved forward in their collaborative efforts around a shared youth vision. All teams must apply and meet specific criteria demonstrating they have achieved some level of initial success in implementing the Youth Vision in order to be selected to participate in these forums. At these forums, teams will: 1) receive facilitated assistance around higher-level strategic thinking to further advance their efforts; and 2) work with invited employers and civic leaders to develop “demand-driven workforce solutions” for advancing the neediest youth into the workforce. NOTE: Only teams who attend the ALTAYVF have the opportunity to apply to receive additional Advanced Technical Assistance (ATA) geared specifically toward their own shared vision and the potential opportunity to become a pilot team. Awardees of Phase II (ATA) will be competitively selected and may receive funding to advance their team to its “next level” of collaboration in serving its neediest youth. Who Can Apply State/U.S. territories and Federally Recognized Tribal Governments and Alaska Native teams are eligible to apply. Only one application per state/territory or Federally Recognized Tribal Government and Alaska Natives entity will be accepted. One lead agency must be identified in each application. All correspondence will be addressed to the lead agency partner. Up to 16 teams will be selected to participate. Federal funds are not being provided for attendees’ travel. The expectation is that the team will take the necessary steps to approve funding for travel and per diem for each of their representatives to attend the designated forum, either September 20 and 21 or September 27 and 28 of 2006. Process for selecting which applicant attends which forum Applicants representing large states will attend the first forum. Applicants representing small to mid size states/territories or tribal governments will attend the second forum. Applicants selected will be notified of the category (large or small/medium) to which they are assigned. Contents of the Application The application is limited to 10 double-spaced, single-sided, 8.5 inch by 11 inch pages with 12 point font and 1 inch margins. In addition, the applicant may provide up to 20 pages of related materials submitted as attachments that will not count against the allowable maximum page total. The following information is required: • • • A table of contents (does not count against the ten page limit); A one page abstract that clearly identifies the lead agency, lists each team partner and their contact information, and summarizes the key strategies proposed (does not count against the ten page limit); and A project narrative (maximum of ten pages) that address the Rating Criteria below: A) Describe the Strength of the Partnership (50 points): The applicant must describe the strength of their partnership. 1. Initial Partnerships The applicant must demonstrate that the partnership is a cohesive team representative of each of the initial Federal partners: DOL, DoEd, HHS, and DOJ. Specific roles and responsibilities of each partner participating on the team should be detailed. 2. Expanded Partnerships Provide information on additional partnerships (such as with tribal governments, organizations representing youth with disabilities, economic development agencies, etc.) beyond the aforementioned partners, including the identification of new partners added since the collaborative effort began or new partners who are joining the team as a result of the planned ALTAYVF. Provide specific roles, responsibilities, and contributions of each new partner. 3. Strategic Management Describe how a shared youth vision has influenced strategic planning within state agencies represented in your partnership (i.e., WIA Title I state plan, Chafee State plans). Provide examples of any official state-level policy statements implemented as a result of the partnership (i.e., a shift in resources focusing on foster youth that resulted in an integrated effort producing measurable outcomes). Describe how the partnership has impacted how your state/territory or reservation serves the neediest youth. Include any activities, publications, or guidance that supports the implementation of a shared youth vision. 4. Private Sector Involvement Describe any private sector partnerships (business, foundation, and/or civic) you have established, as part of your commitment to serve the neediest youth. Include any business engagement which has furthered your shared youth vision and ensured youth transition into the workplace. B) Demonstration of Commitment to Continue Youth Vision (25 points): Describe how your team has been able to identify the number of neediest youth being served by the partnership agencies. Include data on the number of “neediest” youth as defined in the White House Task Force Report on Disadvantaged Youth, 2003 (foster youth, juvenile offenders, youth with disabilities, drop-outs, Native American youth, etc.) within your state that stand to benefit from strategically aligned federal resources. Describe activities your team has completed to identify gaps in existing services and infrastructure and identify those gaps. Describe the activities that your team has undertaken to fill identified gaps. Explain how efforts would be enhanced through receiving advanced technical assistance. Demonstrate your commitment to continue to implement a Shared Youth Vision. C) Future Strategies for System Transformation (25 points): Describe how your team’s strategy to serve the neediest youth supports economic development strategies in your locality. Describe the measurable goals of your partnership that will lead to improved collaboration in serving the neediest youth. Describe the strategies will you utilize over the next 12 months to meet your goals. Describe how each partner will specifically assist in meeting the goal(s); explain how these efforts will sustain systemwide change. What is the purpose and goals of providing Advanced Technical Assistance (ATA) to state/territorial teams and Federally Recognized Tribal Governments and Alaska Natives? ATA is designed to help teams implement a strategic plan for their shared youth vision. Utilizing an appropriate tailored mix of both on-site (meeting facilitation, skills training, etc.) and desk-based (coaching, issue research, materials, development or review, etc.) support strategies, ATA will: • Support the teams efforts in implementing a shared youth vision by assisting them with the creation and ongoing development of an effective • • • • • • • multi-agency collaborative effort that enhances each partners’ ability to serve the state’s neediest youth; Assist the team in surveying the best opportunities and leverage points for action/progress and prioritizing monthly goals accordingly; Serve as a sounding board for team plans; Help the team assess progress and lessons learned; Provide advanced training on methods for managing interagency collaboration; Establish a network that teams can use to learn from each other and share challenges, roadblocks and successful responses; Provide the team with the specific tools and skills necessary to create and maintain true collaboration; and Provide input from a neutral third party that will help the team identify and address barriers while encouraging a continued focus on a shared youth vision. Will teams receive any funding under this announcement? No money will be awarded at this time. A DOL contractor will provide the ATA. Teams that are selected for the advanced level forums will have an opportunity to compete to become one of “five to 10 pilot projects” that demonstrate to the rest of the country the partnerships and integration in services and resources that typify a successful interagency collaboration to increase positive outcomes for the neediest youth. Those teams chosen to receive advanced level technical support and complete their specific goals and objectives successfully will be eligible to compete for additional financial resources that may become available. Is it required that all partners sign the application? It is not required, but encouraged that a representative of each identified organization or agency on the team sign the application, or a state/tribal government official (such as a governor or a governor’s designee) that oversees all partnership agencies may sign for the partnership. How will applications be reviewed and selected? Panels comprised of representatives from each of the Federal partner agencies (DOL, DOJ, DoEd, HHS, HUD, SSA, and CNCS) will review, rate, and select the applications based on the criteria detailed in this announcement. Who is expected to attend the ALTAYVF? The expectation is that a representative of each partner entity described in the submitted application will attend the ALTAYVF at the expense of their agency (travel and per diem) with a maximum of 12 participants. If more than one team applies in a state, how will it be decided which application will be accepted for review? The governor of the state will make the decision on which application will represent the state. How will selected applicants be notified? All notifications will be made by e-mail and private express delivery to the lead representative identified in the application and the Governor of the state/territory or tribal government by mid August 2006; and posted on the ETA Websites at http://www.doleta.gov and http://www.youthfed.team@dol.gov by September 1, 2006. How will applicants be notified if not selected? All unsuccessful applicants will be notified by mail to the lead representative identified in the application by September 1, 2006. How may applications be submitted? Completed applications will be accepted via: U.S. Mail, private express delivery service, hand delivery, or electronically. When are the applications due to the Department of Labor? If submitted through the U. S. mail, applications must be postmarked no later than midnight on July 25, 2006. If submitted through third-party delivery service or hand-delivered, the submissions will be date/time stamped upon arrival at DOL. If submitted electronically, applications must be electronically date/time stamped no later than midnight July 25, 2006. To whom should the applications be submitted? Office of Workforce Investment Division of Youth Services DOL/ETA Attn: Jacqui Freeman/Advanced Regional Workforce Solutions Forums 200 Constitution Ave., NW Room N4459 Washington, DC 20210 Or e-mailed to: freeman.jacqui@dol.gov Questions should be directed to: Jacqui Freeman (202) 693-3473 freeman.jacqui@dol.gov