Prospective Applicant Webinar Transcript

Transcript:

Prospective Applicant Webinar: Registered Apprenticeship for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities Initiative

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome and thank you for standing by. At this time all participants are in a listen only mode. After the presentation we will conduct a question and answer session. If you'd like to ask a question please press star one on a touch-tone phone. You'll be prompted to record remain. Now I will turn the call over to Ms. Rachel Dorman.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you and hello everyone. Welcome to the prospective applicant webinar on registered apprenticeship for youth and young adults with disabilities. I am a policy adviser with the youth team at the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy. This webinar began at 2:30 p.m. Eastern time and will last approximately one hour and we will be using the format of a brief presentation using the on-line system that you should already be logged in and then we will have time for questions and answers. We will be using the teleconference format only to answer questions and an operator will be assisting us and providing instructions on how to ask any questions you have by telephone.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'd like to introduce some individuals who are in the room with me for the webinar. Rhonda Basha is the team leader at ODEP 's Youth Team, Cassandra Mitchell from the Grants Office of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management (OASAM), at the U.S. Department of Labor. Franchella Kendall from the Employment and Training Administration's Office of Apprenticeships and Sheldon Serkin, grant manager at ODEP. Any one of us could be answering questions during that time so I wanted to make sure you knew who they were.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

During the presentation, please follow along with your Internet browser so you can read the PowerPoint screen and please note that we will be referencing page numbers from the official notice in the Federal Register that is the PDF file. We recommended that you follow along with that during this meeting.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At this time, please let me know if you will need to ask a question using the chat feature because of an accommodation need, otherwise we will be disabling that and all questions will be required to be submitted through the phone.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A transcript will be available on the ODEP website and a link will be made available at the end of the presentation.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To start, we will be giving a presentation overview. We will give an agency overview of the Department of Labor 's ODEP and the Apprenticeship office. We will be describing the goals of the solicitation, the funding availability, who are the eligible applicants, the application and submission procedure, additional resources, and then questions and answers. We will try to give you as much time as possible to ask questions during the hour.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Office of Disability Employment Policy, ODEP, provides national leadership by developing and influencing disability-related employment policy and practices. This solicitation came out of the youth and transition work of ODEP, which focuses on improving the transition outcomes or young people with disabilities. The Employment and Training Administration, ETA, Office of Apprenticeship oversees the apprenticeship program in connection with state agencies and we worked closely with them to release this announcement.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The goal of the solicitation for corporative agreements, which is listed on page 28564 starting on the bottom of column three, is to increase the system's capacity to provide integrated, inclusive apprenticeship training to youth and young adults with a full range of disabilities between the ages of 16 to 27. Research, develop, and evaluate successful models in one or more high-growth industries including green jobs, as well as utilizing the flexibility that is detailed in DOL 's newly released apprenticeship regulations which are listed in 29 CFR 29.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The funding availability and a period of performance is listed on page 28566 on the top of columns one and two. Two awards will be made for up to approximately $200,000 each. The period of performance is 24 months, which will include six months of planning and 18 months of project operation. The grantee may receive up to three additional option years for funding, which is subject to the availability of funds and performance.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next up is eligible applicants. This is listed on page 28566, and it is in the middle column.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Each consortium at a minimum must have representation from each of the four organizational types. The first is a registered apprenticeship program sponsor in a high-growth industry sector. The second is a community-based organization with demonstrated experience in securing job-training services from established training institutions such as community colleges and providing placement and support services to apprentices in high-growth industries.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The third is a public, private, not-for-profit or for private organization, which may be faith-based with demonstrated experience providing employment and training services and employment related support services to people with disabilities. The fourth is an educational institution.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next up is the application and submission process. This is listed on page 28567 in the middle column on the bottom. There are three required sections for the application. The first is a cost proposal and Budget; and, there is no page limit for that.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The second is an executive summary that is not to exceed two pages. The third is a project narrative. The project narrative has a 25 page limit, and the appendices do not count towards the page limit, and the timeline and organizational chart also don't count towards the page limit. The pages should be double spaced, single sided, 12-point font with 1 inch margins. Probably the most important thing to note is the application deadline is July 15th, 2009.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Finally, for further information, all questions should be directed to Cassandra Mitchell. Here is her e-mail address Mitchell.cassandra@dol.gov . Her phone number is (202)693-4570.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We have also included two websites as a reference, which are also included in the SGA. The first is the ODEP Web site. http://www.dol.gov/odep That is where you would be able to find a transcript of this webinar as well as this website for more information on the Office of apprenticeship. http://www.doleta.gov/oa

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At this point, we would like to open up the conference for questions and answers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One moment for the first question please. Our first question comes from Ms. Kathleen Murphy.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kathleen, could you please list not just your name but work organization and location prior to asking the question?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am from Cobb County Community Services Board in Georgia. And I have a few questions but I will go in line. Can the evaluation be done by another entity, that the higher education requirements?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I don't understand your question. Evaluation can be done by anybody that you would -- the evaluation can be done by anybody.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay, can you please explain the part of the local institution for Higher Education's involvement?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Are you talking about within a consortium?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That depends on how the particular grantees set up their grant. For instance, a registered apprenticeship program could partner with a community college to provide apprenticeship training.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay. Thank you.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our next question comes from Charlene Duma.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Charlene, please state the name and organization?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Liberty Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is your question?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We work with projects that seek to hire nursing aides for our company. But I am not quite sure if this grant program requires that they have experience because we have to pay for their training in order for them to become a nurse's aide. Would this program cover their training so that we could hire new employees that are disabled?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I would refer you to page 28565 under the allowable use of grant funds. There are multiple categories so I encourage you to read that to determine what works for your program. If you have additional questions, direct them directly to Cassandra Mitchell.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our next question comes from David Mathis.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am with the Kentucky Office of Vocational rehabilitation in Kentucky. Could you provide examples of what you mean by community-based organizations?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Community-based organizations could be disability organizations that provide training services, but not necessarily involved with apprenticeships. It could be something like, the American Legion, potentially, or any type of community-based organization. That is a very broad category.

I have another question. I got a list of the RAPs in our state. Are you supposed to just work with one or multiple?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It has to be at least one.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Both of your questions are referring to the eligible applicants on page 28566. It says under eligible applicants, each consortium should consist of a minimum of the following types of organizations. So a registered apprenticeship program sponsor, one, a community-based organization with demonstrated experience at securing job-training services from an established training institution. So those are the two types you are asking about.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So a vocational rehabilitation agency would not qualify?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not for this purpose but they certainly could be part of consortium.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Seema Jain: I am calling from the Skills Source Group in Indiana. And, my question is can we use the grant funding to hire a staff person to manage this program, and if so, can that staff person work with youth who do not have disabilities?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The allowable use of funds are found on page 28265 in the Federal Register, and there is also another section that talks about the fact that this grant funding can only be used per the purposes of -- this grant money can only be used to provide apprenticeships related to training and support the apprenticeship related training with youth with disabilities. Because we are asking it to be an inclusive program, we are asking that complementary funds be leveraged. There is no matching requirement but other funds will have to be leveraged to provide the training to youth without disabilities. And that is on page 28566 as well as on page 28571 and 28568.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay, but just to clarify, I have looked at the allowable use of grant funds activities on page 28565 and I see that it doesn't mention staffing. So just to clarify, we cannot use any of the funds for staffing?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are administrative costs, and administrative costs are on page 28570,

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our next questions come from Gloria Leff from the Skill Source Group of VA

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gloria Leff: The first question I have is on number 2, the consortium's community-based organization. It clearly states that this part of the consortium includes the full support services and has to have experience in providing an apprenticeship. Now, what if you haven’t had a direct experience with apprenticeship but you have done on the job training?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The actual language that is included does not require public, private, and non-profits to have experience providing apprenticeship and training services, and employment related support services with people with disabilities. It states that the public/private or for-profit organization must have demonstrated experience providing employment and training. That is page 28562 under the summary as well as in several other places throughout. And also on page 28566 there are four different types of applicants and one of those is a community-based organization with experience in apprenticeships. But the third eligible applicant is a public / private / for-profit organization, which has experience in employment and training services and employment related support services for people with disabilities.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gloria Leff: I did have another question on number one. And even if it is a pilot program we have to have one sponsor.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In order to have a registered apprenticeship program, you must have a Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our next question comes from Lynn Circle from Huston Works USA.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lynn Circle: I am from Houston, Texas. And, my question is: we are setting up an apprenticeship program that wants to take on disabled veterans but that would limit the ages from a minimum of 17 rather than 16. Will this create a problem or not?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Could you explain, what will the age group be of the program you are looking at?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lynn Circle: They are disabled veterans, and the upper age would be 27 so it would be disabled vets, but at least the minimum age for enlisting is 17 and that would mean that are range of applicants might be not -- mean our range of applicants might be in not allowing the 16 year-old. And we are working with disabled veterans only.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We believe that would be fine, sir.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay. Our next question comes from Mary Shell.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mary Shell: My name is Mary Shell and I am with Humanitas in Silver Spring, Maryland. Does a community college count as an educational institution?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The community college would be eligible as an educational institution.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our next question it comes from Lynn Wilson.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lynn Wilson: I am Lynn Wilson from Northwest Center in Seattle Washington. My question has to do with key personnel issues. We're curious about several things. Can you have two co-principle investigators, or must you only have one?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I don't see why you couldn't have co-directors.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lynn Wilson: Okay. Do you have two have different individuals for each of the five areas or can each person serve more than one function? In other words -- could you have someone who is the PI assist in research analysis also?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You can set it up anyway it makes sense for your organization, as long as you specify what each person's role is.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lynn Wilson: Okay, and what about outside consultants. Could they serve a manager role?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please see management criteria.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lynn Wilson: Fabulous, that is what we needed to know.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Teresa Mances: I am representing Community Connect out of Decatur, Georgia, and my question is: we're setting up a program for persons with disabilities and who are on the Department of Labor's Vocational Rehabilitation program. Now, can the grant be used to serve these individuals in a local medical facilities such as the local hospital? And, they have educational programs as well so could this also double as an educational institution?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Hospital?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Teresa Mances: Yes.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I don't think, unless the hospital is recognized by the Department of Education as an educational institution.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Teresa Mances: Okay, then we have to be connected with educational institutions such as the local technical college?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Right.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Teresa Mances: I think we do have a program working through Georgia Tech, so this grant would have to use through something there to enter one of those programs that is connected to the Education Institution?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You can set it up anyway you want as long as it has an educational institution as one of your partners in consortium.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Teresa Mances: We do.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our next question comes from a Mr. Peter Pike with Colorado Winds Partners University of Colorado Denver.

Peter Pike: I have a couple of questions that we wanted some clarity on, as it relates to SSDI recipients. Is there a particular targeted population out of that group besides the 6 through 27 year olds? Can you provide any clarity to the definition beyond that, what would a definition of disability be?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are lots of people I've met people with learning disabilities are not on the SSI or SSDI.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This initiatives aims to serve a range of disabilities among all types -- on a requirement that there needs to be -- that would be up to the person running the grant, but we don't specifically require disability documentation, although it appears to be good practice to require some form of documentation.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Peter Pike: And where the solicitation talks about those who are on SSI or as SDI, is there a certain balance that you are looking for for participants?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As I said before, we are looking for people with a range of disabilities, between 16 and 27 with a full range of disabilities including those with significant disabilities and that is the one criteria we have set for the parameters.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Peter Pike: Okay. Can I follow up with two more questions?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Peter Pike: One is: can you define what you mean by pre apprenticeship activities?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Specifically, what we're looking at are those community-based organizations or a program that train people for registered apprenticeship. When we talk about pre apprenticeships, we're giving them the skills and abilities to go into a registered apprenticeship program. And, it can be done through the YouthBuild the Department of Labor program that provides pre apprenticeships, and Job Corps, the two at the Department of Labor. There are a number of community based organizations that specifically prepare individuals for apprenticeship programs. There are community based organizations that are faith based organizations.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Peter Pike: Along those lines, we have one definition of a pre apprenticeship programs from the unions that we work with. We have sort of a specified definition and then they have programs like Youth Build is another definition, and the other piece would be working with a nonprofit that serves people with disabilities, they might have a different definition of pre apprenticeships. So I didn't know if it was just that broad or if there is again a certain specification of how you would define pre apprenticeship.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There is not any type of agency that can certify that program but what you are looking for is those programs that can prepare individuals to go into a registered apprenticeship program, so whether you are working with a Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, or an individual employer, in need to find out what skills that they specifically needed those individuals to have and try to get that individual prepared to go into a registered apprenticeship program.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And these definitions are discussed in more detail on page 28565 in the middle of the page where it references the pre apprenticeship program and the registered apprenticeship.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Peter Pike: Okay, so career exploration for example could be part of the pre apprenticeship program and prepare folks to make the decision about what type of apprenticeship might fit?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I might direct you to the section about the definitions as to what the allowable use of the current funds are included for and the grant process, which does include career awareness instruction.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Peter Pike: Okay. One more question, I know it doesn't say you have to serve 30 people, but I guess what are the expectations around what are you looking for around solicitation and if there is a quantifiable number of people you would like to have served with this money?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The goals of the grant are specified in this solicitation. It is listed on 28564 and it goes into each section and talks about the way each application is looked at-and the criteria therein.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And specifically on page 28571, it lists the project evaluation.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

But are their particular outcomes you are looking for?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The outcomes are to be as you perceive them to be based on this criteria.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay, thank you.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our next question comes from Ann MacNeil.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am from Ann MacNeil, from Magellan Health Services, Phoenix, Arizona.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ann MacNeil: I am just wondering why there was such a turnaround, but short-term turnaround on that 30 day notice. It leads to a lot of assumptions, so could you help clarify why it was only a 30 day notice?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is not unusual that it would only be 30 days.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No, it is not. Most of what we put out for our department only require the 30 day turnaround time. That is normal.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Because I have in list of DOL grants from that youth newsletter and they are all August or September so I was just wondering.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Employment and Training Administration is on a different calendar year, and ODEP’s year ends on September 30th.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our next question comes from Stephen Brown.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stephen Brown from Marshall Community and Technical College in Virginia.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stephen Brown: The question I had is regarding the minimum limit of the age of 16 and they said the first time in could allow someone to come to that workplace is, they have to be at least 18. Will that be a problem?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It depends on each individual employer. It determines the qualification procedure for their program, but the regulations for the registered apprenticeship, a person can enter a registered apprenticeship program at the minimum age of 16, and like I said, each person may have different qualifications in reference to age and education requirements, but it is quite possible that a lot of them in West Virginia may say 18.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stephen Brown: That is what they are telling me at the building construction trade because I talked to them about this.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A lot of it depends upon the occupation and what type of tools and equipment that person would be using. Given the requirements for the grant are starting at 16, and in fact, there is a pre apprenticeship components, you can address those at that age of the pre apprenticeship.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stephen Brown: Okay, thanks.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our next question comes from Laura Robertson.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Laura Robertson: Laura Robertson from OCCK in Salina Kansas, and we just wanted to clarify on the disability, we don't have to have that verified by person, or any kind of documentation?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There is no requirement in the context of the SGA that requires this, but good practice suggests that would be something you would want to do. And especially since the grant funding specifically has to be used for services for youth with disabilities, it covers you if you are ever audited.

Our next question comes from Tim Valencia.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tim Valencia from City of Phoenix Community Economic Department.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tim Valencia: We just wanted documentation for verifying the solicitation were for a young person with a disability. It appears that some of the core elements are closely related to the Workforce Investment Act. Are there any regulations behind this SGA that need to be followed?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you go to the actual SGA on the Web site, there are a whole bunch of requirements that are OMB required that are linked to -- We are bringing all of the other potential laws that are applicable, and obviously if you are receiving federal financial assistance, you are required to meet Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and we are also required to remember that a key component in the grant is the flexibility about under the new apprenticeship regulations. That is what we were looking at. And that was supported in regions presentation and 29 CFR 29.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tim Valencia: Okay, I was more interested in just more on the up for the eligibility, but I understand that.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are no specific regulatory requirements tied to eligibility. The only specific criteria set forth for the SGA is the requirement that the consortium consist of the minimum of the four types of organizations discussed previously.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tim Valencia: All right, thank you.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our next question comes from [indiscernible].

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I apologize if you answered this question already, but are the grants for 200,000 for two years or every two years.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And that is listed under 25866, top of the first column. Funding is expected to be provided for to apprenticeship cooperation agreement at approximately $200,000 each. for the full 24 months.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My other question is regarding the requirement to serve both youth with disabilities and without disabilities, however, being able to only use the funds to serve youth without disabilities, do you require some type of separation of staff or hours, so that we can ensure that we are not using funds to serve youth without disabilities?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I would refer it to to page 28566, bottom of the column, number two, cost sharing, matching funds and cost participation are not required, however, complementary funds will be needed to serve youth without disability.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So, if we are having a classroom, for example, would we be able to have an integrated class with youth, with and without disabilities and the costs for a teacher would be split.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That is what we envisioned. You would have to apportion costs based on whom you were serving.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You keep referring to the book, but where do I download the book from?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Access to the SGA is available on ODEP 's web site, which is being pulled up on your screen right now. (http://www.dol.gov/odep) You can download both the HTML and the PDF version of the SGA off of our home page. In addition, the transcript of this webinar will be available on home page as well.

Thank you very much for your participation in the webinar. If you have any additional questions, they can be submitted to Cassandra Mitchell and her contact information is in the SGA as well as was provided earlier. A transcript will be made available on the ODEP website that I just referenced. Thank you for your time. Goodbye.