Pre-ETS 2024 Grant

Grant Title: Pre-ETS 2024 Grant
Solicitation #: 24-DWS-S010
Funding Source: State Vocational Rehabilitation, 84.126A
Total Grant Amount: $4,500,000.00
Expected Number of Awards: Multiple
Letter of Intent Deadline: June 2, 2023, 5:00 PM MST
Letter of Intent
Application Deadline: June 16, 2023, 5:00pm: Proposals must be received no later than 5:00 PM. Proposals received after 5:00 PM will not be accepted. Proposals may not be faxed.
Pre-Proposal Bidders Meeting (webinar): Thursday, May 25, 2023 - 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM MST
Webinar
Program Start Date: October 1, 2023
Program End Date: September 30, 2027
Contact Information: Aaron Thompson, athompson@utah.gov, (801) 887-9511
TJ Seegmil, tseegmiller@utah.gov 435-393-5370

Purpose

DWS-USOR has contracted with organizations to assist with the WIOA mandate since 2017. DWS-USOR is releasing this RFGA to contract with community organizations, community rehabilitation programs, school districts, private partners, and others, to continue to meet this federal mandate. Programs must provide direct Pre-ETS to students with disabilities. 

DWS-USOR has contracted with organizations to assist with the WIOA mandate since 2017. DWS-USOR is releasing this RFGA to contract with community organizations, community rehabilitation programs, school districts, private partners, and others, to continue to meet this federal mandate. Programs must provide direct Pre-ETS to students with disabilities.

DWS-USOR is prioritizing Pre-ETS expansion through contracts for two groups:

  1. Grant Option 1: Work Based Learning Experiences.
    1. Entities that propose providing paid work experiences for students with disabilities. Services through this grant option shall include: job exploration counseling, work-based learning experiences, and workplace readiness training for students with disabilities.
    2. Work based learning experiences shall be individualized to the student’s interests and preferences.
    3. Work based learning experiences shall be competitive and integrated and paid experiences.
    4. Applicants may request up to $200,000 per year for this grant option.
  2. Grant Option 2: Summer Programs
    1. Job Exploration Counseling
    2. Work Based Learning Experiences
    3. Counseling on Post-Secondary
    4. Workplace Readiness Training
    5. Instruction in Self-Advocacy
    1.  Entities that propose summer programs to provide at least two (2) of the required Pre-ETS for students with disabilities:
    2. Summer programs shall be between one (1) and six (6) weeks.
    3. Summer programs shall be provided over the summer (between June 1st and August 31st).
    4. Applicants may request up to $75,000 per year for this grant option.

Entities/Organizations may apply for one (1) or both grant(s). Entities who propose providing both grant options shall complete both applications. Current Pre-ETS grantees may apply for this grant, however, if awarded the 2023-2026 grant, the current Pre-ETS award may be terminated based upon current service delivery.  Please refer to Attachment B - Scope of Work for more information and a description of the five (5) required Pre-ETS.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be considered eligible, an organization must:

  1. Have experience serving individuals with disabilities.
  2. Have the ability to collect required data and disability documentation and enter data in accordance with the timeframes outlined in Attachment B: Scope of Work.
  3. Have the ability to determine if a student meets requirements for the program.
  4. Meet all requirements as outlined in Attachment B - Scope of Work.
  5. Must provide these services in the state of Utah.

The following are encouraged to apply:

  1. Organizations who have proven experience and demonstrated outcomes providing transition services or pre-employment skill building services for youth with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
  2. Organizations who provide services in rural counties or areas are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to entities that propose serving multiple counties in Utah.
  3. Organizations who are able to assist students in accessing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) opportunities through their proposed program will be given priority points.
  4. Organizations previously or currently receiving funding from DWS-USOR must be in good standing with DWS to be considered for this grant.
  5. Organizations or programs that have a religious affiliation will be required to provide assurance that grant funds will not be used for religious instruction.

Addendum

  • Pre-Proposal Meeting (webinar)
  • Update Appendix C Budget Narrative to address formula error Replace Budget Spreadsheet with attached spreadsheet

Questions & Answers

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