TEN25-07a1.pdf

ETA Advisory File Text

NEW Recognition of Excellence 2008 Application Process Revised The Recognition of Excellence ROE 2008 Overview The Recognition of Excellence ROE 2008 application categories and guidelines have changed. However the purpose of ROE in promoting superior employment and training-related programs and improving system performance remains the same. Again in 2008 the Employment and Training Administration ETA will recognize high levels of success by entities managing and partnering with ETA- funded programs. ETA recognizes that achieving commendable outcomes requires much more than statutory or regulatory compliance. It is ETA s hope that this recognition process also will facilitate the exponential replication of promising practices throughout the workforce investment system. ETA is pleased to be administering this recognition program for the fifth consecutive year. The 2008 application process is now open and ready to receive applications from which honorees will be selected and showcased at the 2008 Workforce Innovations conference on July 15-17 2008 in New Orleans Louisiana. Through this conference thousands of workforce investment professionals from across the nation will be able to learn from the successful practices of the honorees. The honorees will be selected solely for recognition not a monetary award. The 2008 ROE categories have been expanded and improved to more adequately reflect current ETA priority areas. Three honorees in each of the five new and expanded categories will be recognized. The three nominees including one winner will be selected in the categories listed below. Educating America s Workforce to Serve Emerging Industries Building a Regionally-Focused Workforce Strategy Leveraging the Power of Partnerships Tapping the Talents of Special Populations in the Workforce Connecting America s Youth to the Workforce A detailed description of each category is provided in Section III of this document. Honorees will be selected based on an application package that demonstrates that the project program or initiative is innovative collaborative provided effective service delivery linked workers to demand occupations and emerging industries resulted in positive performance outcomes had impact and is replicable and or sustainable. I. Eligibility Any state or local program project or initiative including national program grants funded through ETA or in which an ETA-funded activity is one integral component may apply i.e. youth adults dislocated workers unemployment compensation tax credits apprenticeship programs etc. . The program project or initiative must have been operational for at least twelve 12 months during the last two program years July 2006 to present . In addition to employment and training entities funded directly by ETA eligible applicants for ROE may include universities community colleges businesses foundations faith- and community-based organizations and other entities that receive ETA funds or partner with the ETA-funded applicant in the recommended program project or initiative. II. Application Instructions The following application instructions are very important and should be read closely. Failure to comply with all requirements will result in disqualification of the application. Only applications submitted electronically will be accepted. Each submission must include an application that meets the following specifications. A. Format The electronic application will consist of four 4 parts. 1 Part 1. Application Program and Submitter Information Page which contains identification and contact information for the program project or initiative. All required information must be provided. 2 Part 2. Narrative Description of the program project or initiative being submitted. The specific criteria and scoring differ for each category. Please carefully review and conform to the criteria in the category for which you are submitting an application. The narrative shall not exceed 10 double-spaced pages. 3 Part 3. List of collaborating partners for the program project or initiative. Each applicant must provide the name and contact information for the collaborating partner s supporting this application. Collaborating Partners are defined as organizations or individuals that provide leadership funding or significant support to the successful implementation or operation of the program project or initiative. Inclusion of the collaborating partner s name indicates that the collaborating partner is willing to provide assurances that the information in the application is true and can be verified without notice. Signatures of collaborating partners that are listed in applications being vetted for possible recognition will be required. 2 4 Part 4. The Signature Page which will be generated electronically following submission of the application requires the signature of the authorized representative submitting the application see item 5 under section B below . Applications must include the completed Program Information page 10 pages or less Narrative Description Collaborating Partner s page and the signed Signature Page. The application will not be considered complete until a faxed copy of the signed electronic application s Signature Page is received by ETA. Applications that do not meet all of these requirements will not be considered. B. Preparation Before beginning the electronic application we strongly recommend that applicants 1 Compile and verify all of the required contact and identification information requested on the Program Information page of the application. 2 Prepare the narrative description of the program project or initiative in a word processing document first then copy and paste the information into the appropriate text boxes provided on the electronic application form. 3 Compile and verify all of the collaborating partners contact information. You will be limited to no more than 25 collaborating partners. 4 After completing the application carefully review the application before clicking the submit button. Once the application is submitted changes will not be permitted. 5 When the application is submitted print the electronic application s Signature Page and immediately fax it with the authorized representative s signature to the following fax number 202 693- 3667 Attn Etta Williams. C. Criteria Within each of the five award categories there are five of the eight criteria listed below that will be used to evaluate each category. The criteria may be different for each category so please pay close attention to the criteria for the category for which you are preparing an application. The criteria will consist of the following eight areas 1 Innovation 2 Collaboration 3 Performance Outcomes 4 Service Delivery 5 Sustainability 6 Impact 7 Linking Workers to Demand Occupations and Emerging Industries and or 8 Replicability. 3 Applications should provide an overview of the program and must address each of the specified five criteria. Applications that do not address the five criteria will not be considered. D. Restriction on Number of Applications An applicant may submit applications for more than one program project or initiative. However an individual program project or initiative may be submitted in only one of the five recognition categories. Multiple submissions of the same program project or initiative is not allowed. E. Restriction on Applications A program project or initiative that has been previously recognized as a winner will not be accepted in any category. Honorable Mention projects from previous years may be submitted for consideration under the new guidelines. F. Deadline The electronic application and the signed application signature page must be received in ETA by 6 00 p.m. EST on Friday March 28 2008. Applications and signature pages received after that date and time will not be considered. Hard copy faxed or emailed applications will not be accepted. G. Recognition Three nominees in each category will be announced during the 2008 Workforce Innovations conference. The five category winners will be announced at Workforce Innovations and will receive an engraved commemorative symbol while the two runners-up in each category will receive an engraved plaque. H. Computer System Requirements Any computer with internet access should allow access to and permit completion of the ROE application online at http roe.doleta.gov . I. Questions If you have questions about the application process please review the Frequently Asked Questions on the Web site http roe.doleta.gov . If you have additional questions you may email them to eta.roe dol.gov . Each application will be screened electronically to determine whether it addresses conforms to the basic eligibility submission and application requirements. Those that conform to the criteria will be forwarded to a panel of reviewers comprised of ETA staff and system stakeholders and will be scored on a 100 point scale in accordance with the criteria in the recognition category for which the application is being reviewed. The highest rated application in each category will be announced the winner during a plenary session at the Workforce Innovations Conference. 4 III. Criteria Each application must contain a completed Program Information page a written description of the program project or initiative that addresses each of the criteria in the chosen category a list of collaborating partners and a faxed copy of the electronic application s Signature Page with the signature of the authorized representative submitting the application. Each recognition category and the rating criteria for each category are described below. Applicants narrative descriptions should conform to the information requested in that category. Category 1 Educating America s Workforce to Serve Emerging Industries Description Globalization technological advances and America s shifting demographics are rapidly changing the 21 st century workforce into one that is vastly different from a few years ago. A fundamental transformation in manufacturing and other industries is also occurring. These new and emerging industries require highly skilled and educated workers. Ninety percent of the fastest growing jobs and sixty-three percent of all new jobs in the United States require a post-secondary education. Post-secondary institutions such as community colleges and apprenticeship programs will be increasingly critical providers of skills training for workers needing to retool refine and broaden their skills for the changing face of manufacturing and new technologies. This category will recognize programs projects and initiatives that have developed and implemented effective strategies to educate and prepare the workforce for jobs in any of the 14 high-growth industries http www.doleta.gov BRG JobTrainInitiative and or emerging fields such as nanotechnology and renewable energy among others. Narrative Description Introduction In 100 words or less provide the background and context for your program project or initiative and describe the challenges it addresses. Selection Criteria Briefly address each of the criteria below. Linking Workers to Demand Occupations and Emerging Industries 25 Points This section describes how workers and job-seekers are being prepared for careers in any of the 14 high- growth industries or new and emerging industries among others. 5 Please describe the specific business economic or community challenges the program project or initiative is addressing. What new or emerging industries and or high demand occupations are targeted Describe how this initiative meets the education and training needs of both businesses and job-seekers workers. What populations are served by this initiative To what extent were business and industry involved with planning and curriculum development Does this project program or initiative involve or develop career ladders or lattice training to promote long-term attachment to the workforce Collaboration 20 Points The challenge of developing a world class workforce and a globally competitive economy requires cooperation among many uncommon partners. In this section the application should identify innovative partnerships such as partnerships with industries businesses government agencies credentialing organizations associations faith- and community- based organizations educational institutions and others. Please identify the new partners you enlisted. What role do they play What financial and or in-kind resources do they provide Do the educational partners involve employers in the design and delivery of education Is there an active collaboration between economic development business and education partners to gather and analyze current and real-time workforce and economic data Impact 20 Points Impact differs from performance outcomes in that this section describes more systemic outcomes and less quantifiable results such as improvements in service delivery systems program visibility and image business growth capacity- building and individual benefits to participants. Please describe the systemic enhancements that have been made with the program project or initiative that created or attracted new business opportunities to your area region. Has your program project or initiative created increased opportunities for post- secondary education and lifelong learning Are these opportunities aligned with the area s labor market information Were time and cost saving strategies instituted Were new capacity-building strategies implemented Performance Outcomes 20 Points This section focuses on quantitative and qualitative outcomes of the program project or initiative. It should describe the e xtent to which project outcomes or results are clear and have a direct impact on improving service delivery and results to employers workers job-seekers and the community. 6 Please describe the performance goals that were set and how they were established. Describe the outcomes in quantitative and or qualitative terms. Compare outcomes planned actual to the overall goal s of the program project or initiative. Are these goals the same or different from the required performance outcomes for the ETA-funded activity Did the performance outcomes exceed required outcomes for the ETA-funded activity How did this effort improve or enhance an ETA-funded program or service performance What are the results outcomes of the intervention Are you engaged in data-driven analysis to shape ongoing strategic planning investment of training resources and the engagement of new and emerging industry opportunities Replicability 15 Points This section describes the extent to which the program project or initiative could be transferred or replicated elsewhere internally or in another programmatic or geographical area . Please describe the potential for the program project or initiative you have implemented to be widely applied. Has the program project or initiative been replicated in other areas of your operation How can replication be facilitated in other locations Examples include but are not limited to demonstrating the model for others providing tools or resources that enable the model approach to be replicated providing documentation or findings that can be disseminated to and used by others and replicating the model elsewhere. Present specific information regarding barriers that may assist the reader in determining the feasibility of implementing the program model in their area. Category 2 Building a Regionally-Focused Workforce Strategy Description Our nation s ability to be competitive in a global economy depends on the transformation of our workforce investment system. To succeed we must build the capacity for regional economic success through strategic partnerships and effective approaches to talent development. The challenge is to create a broad set of strategies involving workforce development education economic development and others for immediate implementation and into the future. This category will recognize public workforce investment systems that have built the capability to respond effectively to the needs of all of its customers businesses employers workers and job seekers by employing a regional economic competitiveness strategy. This category is seeking applications that describe systems procedures collaborations evidence of success in talent 7 development and models for creating a regionally-focused workforce strategy. Narrative Description Introduction In 100 words or less provide the background and context for your program project or initiative and describe the challenges it addresses. Selection Criteria Briefly address each of the criteria below. Innovation 20 Points This section describes the extent to which a program project or initiative varies from current approaches. ETA is especially interested in the application of different financing mechanisms institutional arrangements and partnerships designed to unblock constraints to service delivery regional planning and talent development people-centered seamless approaches to service delivery and innovative uses of technology for capacity building and training among others. Please describe the specific purpose of the program project or initiative. Describe what prompted the innovation. What are the innovative or new strategies partners programs training systems or other features implemented Does the program project or initiative bridge areas within the state or across state borders How does the approach differ from traditional programs or projects Collaboration 25 Points The challenge of developing a world class workforce and a globally competitive economy requires cooperation among many uncommon partners. In this section the application should identify innovative partnerships such as partnerships with industries businesses government agencies credentialing organizations associations faith- and community- based organizations educational institutions among others. Please discuss how leadership formation and development occurred in your region. What new partners did you enlist Does your strategy include multiple WIBS Does the strategy cross state lines How were you able to get the support of the partners What role do the various partners play What financial and or in-kind resources do they provide Service Delivery 15 Points This section addresses systemic changes and innovations to improve the process of delivering timely appropriate and effective services to employers workers and job seekers. 8 Please discuss how the service delivery strategy has impacted the workforce investment system and changed your operational approach. Describe how service delivery was improved. Who has benefited from the services provided Are the persons businesses and or industries served different than before Impact 20 Points Impact differs from performance outcomes in that this section describes more systemic outcomes and less quantifiable results such as improvements in service delivery systems program visibility and image business growth capacity- building and individual benefits to participants. Please describe the systemic enhancements you have made and the results. Have you created or attracted new business opportunities to your region Have you created increased opportunities for post-secondary education and lifelong learning Are these opportunities aligned with the region s talent development strategy Have you instituted time and cost saving strategies Have you implemented new capacity-building strategies How many persons are benefiting from the intervention What is your progress to date What benefit s is this strategy having on the region Sustainability 20 Points This section describes the e xtent to which the applicant is able to sustain the activities beyond the current funding phase. Please describe your sustainability plan i.e. resources commitment roles and responsibility of partners. Describe any joint agreements signed by the partners. What steps have been taken to ensure the regional partnership will continue Discuss the mechanism which keeps the leadership team and proposed initiative viable for the long-term. How will the new structure or process support long-term strategy and talent development as well as continued innovation Category 3 Leveraging the Power of Partnerships Description Addressing the critical challenges that both job seekers and employers face requires considerable leveraging of resources from multiple systems that impact the workforce and the economy. The engagement of traditionally separate organizations is necessary for building partnerships creating a common vision and plan for the economic future of communities and providing a more comprehensive and seamless array of services to the workforce. The honorees in this category will be programs projects or initiatives that demonstrate sustained partnerships with new 9 entities partners such as economic and workforce development organizations businesses K-12 education community colleges colleges and universities venture capitalists angel capital funds industry associations foundations faith- and community-based entities and governmental agencies. In addition the applicant must demonstrate how they are successfully working together to prepare 1 jobseekers for employment 2 incumbent workers for jobs with upward career mobility potential and or 3 businesses and entrepreneurs to create sustain and expand their businesses. Narrative Description Introduction In 100 words or less provide the background and context for your program project or initiative and describe the challenges it addresses. Selection Criteria Briefly address each criterion below. Collaboration 25 points The challenge of developing a world class workforce and a globally competitive economy requires cooperation among many uncommon partners. In this section the application should identify innovative partnerships such as partnerships with industries businesses government agencies credentialing organizations associations faith- and community- based organizations educational institutions and others. Please describe the labor and economic challenge s your community is facing. What new partners did you enlist to address these challenges What role do they play Describe any joint agreements signed by the partners. Does your partnership reflect an understanding of local labor market research commercialization and business development capacity in the local region What financial and or in-kind resources do the partners provide How are established partnerships leading systemic transformation in your geographic area Service Delivery 20 Points This section addresses systemic changes and innovations to improve the process of delivering timely appropriate and effective services to employers workers and job seekers. Please describe your service model. How is it different Is it a seamless service delivery model Who are the beneficiaries of the services provided in this program project or initiative Are they different from what was provided before Have common and innovative policies been adopted across the workforce education economic development and other partnership communities Do 10 these new strategies and structures successfully support talent development in the local regional economy Performance Outcomes 20 Points This section focuses on quantitative and qualitative outcomes of the program project or initiative. It should describe the e xtent to which project outcomes or results are clear and have a direct impact on improving service delivery and results to employers workers job-seekers and the community. Please describe the performance goals that were set and how they were established. How many persons are served by the intervention Describe the outcomes in quantitative and or qualitative terms. Compare outcomes planned actual to the overall goal s of the program project or initiative where possible. Are the goals the same or different from the required performance outcomes for the ETA-funded activity Did the performance outcomes exceed required outcomes for the ETA-funded activity How did this effort improve or enhance ETA-funded program or service performance Sustainability 20 Points This section describes the e xtent to which the applicant is able to sustain the activities beyond the current funding phase. Describe your sustainability plan i.e. resources commitments roles and responsibility of partners Discuss the mechanism which keeps the leadership team and proposed initiative viable for the long-term. How will the new structure or process support long-term strategy development and continued innovation Describe how the leveraging of funds from grants and non-grant resources such as user fees community contributions etc. will be used to make the project financially viable beyond current funding. Describe the extent to which the application addresses organizational capacity local support and participation leading to longevity. Replicability 15 Points This section describes the extent to which the program project or initiative could be transferred or replicated elsewhere internally or in another programmatic or geographical area . Please describe the potential for the program project or initiative you have implemented to be widely applied. Has the program project or initiative been replicated in other areas of your operation How can replication be facilitated in other locations Examples include but are not limited to demonstrating the model for others providing tools or resources that enable the model approach to be replicated providing documentation or 11 findings that can be disseminated to and used by others and replicating the model elsewhere. Present specific information regarding barriers that may assist the reader in determining the feasibility of implementing the program model in their area. Category 4 Tapping the Talents of Special Populations Description With the shifting demographics of the U.S. workforce it is becoming ever more critical that the workforce investment system find ways to integrate every available worker into the workforce to enable the continued competitiveness of U.S. businesses. This category will recognize programs projects or initiatives that provide effective career-enhancing services to special populations with unique characteristics and barriers to employment. The results should demonstrate successful talent development in the form of jobseekers being adequately prepared for and securing and retaining employment in high-demand industries. Examples of special populations include but are not limited to persons with disabilities individuals with limited English proficiency LEP immigrants older workers ex-offenders homeless individuals and families Indian and Native Americans Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers welfare recipients military spouses etc. Programs serving Youth should be submitted in the Connecting America s Youth to the Workforce category. Narrative Description Introduction In 100 words or less provide the background and context for your program project or initiative and describe the challenges it addresses. Selection Criteria Briefly address each criterion below. Innovation 15 Points This section describes the extent to which a program project or initiative varies from current approaches. ETA is especially interested in the application of different financing mechanisms institutional arrangements and partnerships designed to unblock constraints to service delivery regional planning and talent development people-centered seamless approaches to service delivery and innovative uses of technology for capacity building and training among others. Please describe the specific purpose of the program project or initiative. Describe what prompted the innovation What are the innovative or new strategies partners programs training systems 12 or other features implemented. How does the approach differ from traditional programs or projects What challenges are being addressed How does did your approach resolve the challenge What did you do that is different Why do you think it works worked How does your approach move beyond the traditional social services model Collaboration 15 Points The challenge of developing a world class workforce and a globally competitive economy requires cooperation among many uncommon partners. In this section the application should identify innovative partnerships such as partnerships with industries businesses government agencies credentialing organizations associations faith- and community- based organizations educational institutions among others. What new partners did you enlist such as high schools post- secondary institutions apprenticeship programs community-based organizations faith- and community-based organizations associations etc. What roles do they play What financial and or in-kind resources do they provide Does your partnership reflect the results of local labor market research commercialization and business development capacity in the local region How did the collaborative relationships affect outcomes of the program project or initiative Describe how resources are leveraged citing all resources that are involved. Service Delivery 25 Points This section addresses systemic changes and innovations to improve the process of delivering timely appropriate and effective services to employers workers and job seekers. What special population did you serve What barriers do they bring such as single parenthood LEP incarceration substance abuse Describe the service model. How is it different Is it seamless Discuss how you have eliminated any siloed programs or services. Have common and innovative policies been adopted across the workforce education and economic development systems and structures that support talent development for your target population Performance Outcomes 25 Points This section focuses on quantitative and qualitative outcomes of the program project or initiative. It should describe the e xtent to which project outcomes or results are clear and have a direct impact on improving service delivery and results to employers workers job-seekers and the community. 13 Please discuss the results outcomes of the intervention. Has the training capacity for special populations increased Are businesses hiring individuals from the targeted group at an above- average rate List quantitative outcomes for participants in training completed placements retention earnings gained and credentials obtained. Are persons being placed in high demand jobs with career potential Identify several of the job titles in which participants are being placed. Replicability 20 Points This section describes the extent to which the project could be transferred or replicated elsewhere internally or in another programmatic or geographical area . Describe the potential for the idea you have implemented to be widely applied. Have you replicated this program project or initiative in other areas of your operation How can you facilitate replication in other locations Examples include but are not limited to demonstrating the model for others providing tools or resources that enable the model approach to be replicated providing documentation or findings that can be disseminated to and used by others and replicating the model elsewhere. Present specific information regarding barriers that may assist the reader in determining the feasibility of implementing the program model in their area. Category 5 Connecting America s Youth to the Workforce Description The preparation of youth both in-school and out-of- school for the jobs of the future is important to the economic success of the nation. By providing youth with experience education and skills early a pipeline of job ready individuals to serve the needs of business and offer youth the pathways to career enhancing opportunities and productive lives can be created. The workforce investment system must employ creative techniques to successfully educate and train youth and to match employers who need workers with young people who need jobs. This category will recognize exemplary programs projects or initiatives that employ innovative techniques for talent development and actively collaborate with business industry K-12 education community colleges and other partners to develop successful workforce solutions that address the education training hiring and retention challenges facing youth. The program project or initiative should have a strong network of stakeholders partners and resources and be able to demonstrate positive performance outcomes for youth in training placement retention earnings gained and or credentials obtained. 14 Narrative Description Introduction In 100 words or less provide the background and context for your program project or initiative and describe the challenges it addresses. Selection Criteria Briefly address each of the criteria below. Innovation 20 Points This section describes the extent to which a program project or initiative varies from current approaches. ETA is especially interested in the application of different financing mechanisms institutional arrangements and partnerships designed to unblock constraints to service delivery regional planning and talent development people-centered seamless approaches to service delivery innovative uses of technology for capacity building and training among others. Please describe the specific purpose of the program project or initiative. What are the innovative or new strategies partners programs training systems or other features implemented Describe what prompted the innovation Does the program project or initiative bridge areas within the state or across state borders How does the approach differ from traditional approaches programs or projects Collaboration 15 Points The challenge of developing a world class workforce and a globally competitive economy requires cooperation among many uncommon partners. In this section the application should identify innovative partnerships such as partnerships with industries businesses government agencies credentialing organizations associations faith- and community- based organizations educational institutions and others. Please identify any new partners you enlisted such as high schools post-secondary institutions apprenticeship programs community-based organizations faith- and community-based organizations associations etc. What roles do they play What financial and or in-kind resources do they provide Does your partnership reflect the results of local labor market research commercialization and business development capacity in the local region How did the collaborative relationships affect outcomes of the program project or initiative Describe how resources are leveraged citing all resources that are involved. Service Delivery 25 Points This section addresses systemic changes and innovations to improve the process of delivering timely appropriate and effective services to youth. 15 Please describe how the service delivery model and how it is different and seamless for youth. What innovative services are provided What innovative strategies are used Who has benefited from the services Are new and different customers being attracted Describe the processes and strategies implemented. How is this strategic model different from previous strategies Performance Outcomes 25 Points This section focuses on quantitative and qualitative outcomes of the program project or initiative. It should describe the e xtent to which project outcomes or results are clear and have a direct impact on improving service delivery and results to employers workers job-seekers and the community. Please discuss the results outcomes of the intervention. How many youth are served annually by the initiative How many are in- school youth How many are out-of-school youth What other barriers do they bring such as teen parenthood incarceration substance abuse List quantitative outcomes for youth in training completed placements retention earnings gained and credentials obtained. Are youth being placed high demand jobs with career potential Identify several of the job titles in which youth are being placed. Replicability 15 Points This section describes the extent to which the project could be transferred or replicated elsewhere internally or in another programmatic or geographical area. Describe the potential for the idea you have implemented to be widely applied. Have you replicated this program project or initiative in other areas of your operation Discuss the extent to which your project could be or has been transferred or replicated elsewhere. How can you facilitate replication in other locations Examples include but are not limited to demonstrating the model for others providing tools or resources that enable the model approach to be replicated providing documentation or findings that can be disseminated to and used by others and replicating the model elsewhere. Present specific information regarding barriers to implementation that may assist the reader in determining the feasibility of implementing the program model in their area. 16