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The Department has moved to 135 Santilli Highway in Everett. The Department's office and Licensure Welcome Center are open. The new location has free parking and is a short walk from the Wellington station on the MBTA's Orange Line.

Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS)

FY16 ABE Continuation Application

May 26, 2015 Dear Program Director: The purpose of this letter is to announce the FY16 continuation application for ACLS-funded programs posted at Current Grant Funding Opportunities and attached table 1 (funding allocations). FY16 funding reflects a 3% increase on programs' base funding. The continuation application also includes information on programs whose allocation includes funding for distance learning, outstationing, participation in STAR, and participation in the teacher evaluation pilot. Please note that all funding allocations are subject to appropriation. Fund Codes 285, 287, 340, 345, 359, 541, 563, and 668 will need to submit the following:
  1. SMARTT Program Plan
  2. Part I - General Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants (Signature Page)
  3. Part II Project Expenditures - Budget Detail Pages For FY15
  4. Budget Narrative
  5. Matching Funds Budget Narrative
  6. Schedule B
Fund Code 669 is not required to submit a SMARTT Program Plan but is required to submit Part I, Part II, Budget Narrative, Matching Funds Budget Narrative and Schedule B. Part I, Part II and Schedule B can be found at: Grants Management Forms Programs receiving state funds should submit the above information by Friday, June 19, 2015 and programs receiving federal funds should submit the above information by Friday, July 31, 2015. Please contact your Program Specialist if you have questions regarding the continuation application. I'd like to highlight key differences between the Workforce Investment Act (WIA, 1998) and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA, 2014) that are reinforced in the FY 2016 continuation application for ACLS-funded programs.
  1. WIOA strengthens alignment between adult education, postsecondary education, and employers.
    • It emphasizes services to increase an individual's ability to transition to postsecondary education and obtain employment.
    • It promotes the integration of adult education with occupational education and training, as well as the development of career pathways.
    • It authorizes the use of funds for "integrated education and training" and "workforce preparation."
    • It encourages activities provided in collaboration with employers (e.g., career pathways, workplace education).
  2. WIOA encourages establishment of a high-quality local adult education delivery system.
    • It aligns activities with regional needs identified in local workforce and one-stop local plans.
    • It emphasizes instructional activities based on rigorous research and effective use of technology.
  3. WIOA promotes integrated English literacy and civics education.
    • It emphasizes services designed to prepare adults who are English language learners for employment leading to economic self-sufficiency.
    • Such services may include workforce training.
  4. WIOA provides a new definition of "workforce preparation" that includes "digital literacy" and promotes the integration of "digital literacy skills" in instruction.
    • It references the Museum and Library Services Act of 2010 which defines digital literacy as "the skills associated with using technology to enable users to find, evaluate, organize, create, and communicate information." This definition encompasses the knowledge and skills used in a broad range of digital devices such as smart phones, tablets, laptops, and personal computers all of which are seen as networking devices and critical to job success in the 21st century.
During FY 2016, the continuation RFP will begin to transition ACLS and the field from WIA to WIOA. Full implementation of WIOA will be required for FY 2017 with all provisions, including the performance accountability system, going into effect as of July 1, 2016. Please take the time to read more about WIOA at OCTAE: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and share this information with your partners. We look forward to continuing our work together and providing highly effective services to undereducated and limited English proficient adults in the Commonwealth. Sincerely,

Jolanta Conway
ABE State Director line

Attchment:

Download PDF Document  Download MS EXCEL Document
FY16 Continuation Table 1
Download PDF Document  Download MS WORD Document
FY16 Distance Learning Option 1 and 2
Download PDF Document  Download MS WORD Document
FY16 STAR
Download PDF Document  Download MS WORD Document
FY16 ABE Out-stationing at One Stop Career Centers




Last Updated: May 26, 2015



 
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