Miss. Code. tit. 9, pt. 6, app 9-6-A

Current through December 10, 2024

Appendix 9-6-A - CHALLENGE GRANT DOCUMENTATION

(Based on limited funding and projected calculations of the tax formula, there will be no NEW Challenge Grants accepted at this time. This suspension is in place until further notice.)

MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD

2013 Challenge Grant Announcement Information

In accordance with the FY13 Workforce Education Polices, the Mississippi Community College Board (MCCB) will designate up to 20% of the funds collected by the Mississippi Workforce Enhancement Training Fund in FY11 for the purpose of awarding FY2013 Challenge Grants. Challenge Grants are defined as those workforce projects that do not qualify for traditional workforce training dollars and that meet the intent of the priorities, criteria and considerations herein. Challenge Grants will be awarded to community and junior colleges according to the procedures and for the purposes set forth in this document.

Priority of Award

The fundamental priorities for the award of challenge grant funds are:

1. those proposed activities that train for the workforce of the future within the state of Mississippi,

2. those proposed activities that generate an increased and sustainable capacity to train individuals or to train for companies during subsequent training years, and

3. those proposed activities that serve more than one community college district, promote partnerships among colleges, among colleges and other entities, or consortia efforts.

Eligible Grant Recipients

Community and Junior College Workforce Development Centers and Career & Technical Education Departments.

Criteria Required for Award: (Priority Rating 14 points)

The following questions represent the criteria which must be addressed by submitted proposals. Proposals do not have to address all of the criteria; however, proposals will receive one (1) priority point for each of these factors the proposal clearly addresses.

1. How will the proposed activity increase Mississippi's per capita income growth?

2. How will the proposed activity increase the efficiency or productivity of an existing business, industry, or sector?

3. What training will be done that is not already being done?

4. What technological components does the proposed activity contain that are not common to current training?

5. How will the proposed activity drive more training to the community and junior college system?

6. What new skills will the proposed activity provide trainees?

7. Is the pay for the skills attained above average for the area for the proposed activity?

8. Will the proposed activity result in a skills set that will be a magnet for new and/or expanding business?

9. Will the proposed activity aid in increasing the state's high-tech employment share?

10. Will the proposed activity aid in maintaining the state's manufacturing or other job share which requires advanced skills sets?

11. Will the proposed activity provide access to additional training and/or access to a career path?

12. Will the proposed activity provide training that leads to industry recognized credentials or certifications to enable portability of skills?

13. Does the proposed activity leverage other resources, such as business contributions, federal, local or other funds?

14. Will the proposed activity have a regional impact?

Other Considerations for Awarding Grants: (Priority Rating: 6 points)

The following represents secondary items that will be considered when awarding grants. A proposal will receive one (1) priority point for each of these factors the proposal clearly demonstrates it addresses.

1. Use of new curriculum.

2. Open entry/open exit (when possible).

3. Partnership with the WIN Job Centers or other placement sources for employment, apprenticeships, internships, and other sustainable career enhancement.

4. Partnerships with ABE/GED, Career-Technical Education, and/or industry associations.

5. Delivery of training in the shortest time frames.

6. Creative use of facilities and flexible training periods (hours, days, nights, weekends, etc.).

Required Proposal Criteria and Instructions

Please limit your proposal to no more than fifty (50) 8 1/2 x 11 typed pages, one-sided, single spaced. Each of the following items MUST be addressed in the proposal for it to be considered. Provide examples where appropriate to support activities. Please include headings for sections I - IV.

Cover Sheet (0 pts - not included in the page limit): Include project name, College Name, and Contact Name, Title, Phone Number and Email.

I. Project Description (25 points):

* Describe in detail the Challenge Grant criteria and other relevant items that will be implemented or enhanced with these funds.

* Provide tentative dates and timelines

* Provide a detailed proposed budget

II. Target Business and Industry and/or Participants (15 pts):

* Describe in detail how the Challenge Grant business and industry and/or participants will be identified and informed of the project or activity and how their needs and interests will be determined and met.

III. Projected Impact (15 pts):

* Describe how the proposed Challenge Grant will contribute to increased trainees, per capita income, collaborative partnerships, business and industry growth, employability skills, curriculum alignment, and overall workforce development.

* Include discussion of any resulting partnerships (such as with business and industry, WIN Job Centers, Industry Associations, etc.) and how those relationships might strengthen your ability to achieve Challenge Grant objective.

IV. Outcomes and Results (25 pts):

* Describe how outcomes and results from the Challenge Grant will be assessed and documented

* Describe how the Challenge Grant may be sustained at the completion of grant award.

Period of Performance

Challenge Grants may be awarded for up to three years if funds are available. All proposed FY2013 grant activities must be completed by the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 2013. Request for reimbursement of all FY2013 expenses must be received by the MCCB by no later July 15, 2012. Arrangements can be made for expenditures to "split" fiscal years.

Evaluation of Submitted Proposals/Notification of Award

Proposals will be accepted on or before July 15, 2012 for FY2013 award in October. Proposals will be evaluated and ranked by a four (4) member team consisting of MCCB staff and an industry representative. Evaluation of a submitted proposal will begin only after the proposal is complete and has been developed according to the instructions here in, and only if funds are available to cover the proposed costs.

The four (4) member evaluation team will use a point based ranking system for making awards. However, the system of ranking will be invoked only after the project has been identified as meeting all three funding priorities and has been identified as being unique with respect to traditional workforce projects.

Award of a submitted proposal will be considered only after evaluation of the proposal has resulted in the proposal receiving a composite score within the top 10% of all scored proposals. Proposals selected for award and rejection will be notified by the MCCB Associate Director for Workforce, Career and Technical Education and/or the Director of Workforce Education.

Successful Challenge Grant recipients, once notified, must enter their grant into the GCR system as a traditional project to be funded, as follows:

1. Select "Challenge Grant" as the funding source, and

2. The Challenge Grant priorities, criteria and other relevant items must be addressed within the memorandum of agreement area

Limitations

The MCCB reserves the right to limit the amount of funds awarded on a proposal and the right to limit the number of awards made to any one proposing entity in order to ensure equity of funding throughout the state.

Reimbursements

Once an award has been made, reimbursements will be made according to the same procedures and guidelines utilized by current workforce training projects. All challenge grant awards will be subject to the same monitoring requirements as existing, traditional workforce projects.

Reporting

The MCCB will require a final, written report at the close of the Challenge Grant describing the number of people served by the project, and the outcomes, successes and/or impact of the project or activity. Further, the MCCB may request additional information on projects in the event that information is required for reporting, presentations or other purposes.

If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Shawn Mackey or Dexter Holloway at 601-432-6351 or 601-432-6222. Mail proposal to: Shawn Mackey, 3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS 39211.

Miss. Code. tit. 9, pt. 6, app 9-6-A