WIOA Youth Services

Section I: RFP Overview and Background

A. RFP Information

The Snohomish County Future Workforce Alliance (FWA), serving as the Local Workforce Board of Snohomish County, and Workforce Snohomish (WFS) are issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify and select a qualified subrecipient for Department of Labor federal funds to provide Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I Youth Services in Snohomish County.

The FWA was designated in February 2020 to serve Snohomish County as the Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB). Created to provide strategic direction aimed at bringing together workforce system stakeholders, strengthening local businesses, supporting workers, and assisting unemployed residents to transition and advance in the workplace successfully, the FWA remains focused on providing leadership and fostering collaboration. The FWA strives to achieve a resilient and proactive approach to establish a gold standard workforce development ecosystem.

The FWA is committed to maintaining an inclusive, transparent, and diverse board that represents its population and nurtures a sense of belonging within and among the labor force. This creates an opportunity for active participation as board members, committees, and working groups advance strategic priorities and help implement actions and tactics to drive positive change within the workforce development system.

FWA Vision Statement

The FWA envisions Snohomish County as a globally recognized hub for talent that supports our regional economy and creates economic opportunity for all.

FWA Mission Statement

The FWA catalyzes equitable, inclusive, and responsible economic growth through public-private collaborative strategies that build upon a foundation of lifelong learning, creation of quality jobs, innovation, and adaptability. The FWA ensures that employers have consistent access to the skilled talent they need, and that youth and adults are supported in attaining rewarding careers.

Snohomish County Strategic Plan

The FWA has outlined in its Strategic and Local Area Plans the definition of a "Gold-Standard" workforce development system, which is defined as being:

• Centered on equity and inclusion: Equity and inclusion inform all aspects of the development and implementation of the workforce system to ensure historically underserved communities and individuals receive training, education, and support for sustainable wage career opportunities.
• Coordinated: It brings employers, training providers, economic development and workforce organizations, and community organizations together to determine the needs of businesses and workers and to coordinate programs to support economic opportunity.
• Data-driven: Data is used to drive decision-making, identify needs, develop strategies, and support continuous improvement and performance measurement.

The FWA Board identified the following priorities for this RFP that align with the Strategic Action Plan:

• Organizations with the ability to leverage other programs and systems to deliver an expanded array of services.
• Organizations with experience and ability to place young adults in pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs.
• Organizations that have a concrete plan and demonstrated experience meeting WIOA performance measures (Common Measures, further explained in Section II.D).

Workforce Snohomish (WFS)

WFS serves as the fiscal agent and local grant subrecipient of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and associated funding in Snohomish County. WFS oversees and manages the Snohomish County WorkSource system, provides technical support to subrecipients, and ensures overall compliance with federal and state guidance. WFS in its designated capacity is committed to carrying out the vision, mission and strategy of the FWA.

WIOA Youth Services

WIOA Title I Youth Services assist in-school and out-of-school Youths who experience challenges accessing or completing secondary education, post-secondary training, or education, or securing employment. WIOA Title I formula funds are provided to local workforce areas to deliver a comprehensive array of services to youth, including career pathway exploration, training, education, work experience, supportive services, and follow-up, with the goal of securing living wage jobs.

The subrecipient(s) selected through this RFP will coordinate with WFS and its partners to provide and promote top-quality, integrated WIOA Title I Youth Services. Specific goals include:

1. Serve as the anchor WIOA Title I Youth core services provider for Snohomish County.
2. Improve outreach, services, and positive employment and education outcomes for Youths who are furthest from opportunities and who experience systemic barriers to employment.
3. Collaborate and coordinate services with other WIOA Title I Youth Services providers, WorkSource Everett partners, and other community-based service providers.
4. Increase use of innovative, high-impact, and best practice strategies and programs that connect Youths to wraparound supports, training, education, and mentorship opportunities.

Target Population: Youth between the ages of 14–24 years who meet WIOA Title I eligibility criteria as provided in WFS Policy # 2020: WIOA Title I Eligibility, Registration, and Enrollment Policy and future iterations, located in the WFS Policies and Procedures.

Geographic Area: Snohomish County, Washington

Proposed Subaward Amount: For planning purposes, bidders should estimate WIOA Title I funding of up to $400,000. 100% of the subaward will be funded by WIOA Title I. Bidders are not required to request the full amount of estimated available funding but cannot request more than this amount. The actual subaward amount will depend on available funding and other factors. FWA and WFS reserve the rights to increase or decrease the total estimated subaward amount, determine the number of subawards, or not make a subaward.

Consortium Proposals: Consortium proposals (consisting of two or more eligible organizations) are permitted under this RFP. To apply, as a consortium, applicants must:

• Designate a lead organization for the consortium who will act as sole fiscal agent of all participant costs (e.g. support services, Transitional Jobs, Work Experiences, etc.) and be responsible for all participant files.
• The designated lead organization must be the applicant to this RFP (only one application is required to support consortium bids)
• Consortium bids must include a clear description in their proposal for how they will coordinate services, roles, and responsibilities with their partner organizations, and operate as a holistic program.

Type of Subaward: Cost reimbursement subaward

Anticipated Subaward Start Date: Between June 1, 2025, and July 1, 2025

Initial Subaward End Date: June 30, 2026

Option to Extend Subaward: WFS reserves the right to extend a subaward on an annual basis for up to four (4) years, in accordance with WIOA Title I laws and regulations and depending on the subrecipient’s contractual performance, availability of funds, the Snohomish County FWA Workforce Development Board’s strategic direction, community need, and other factors.

The FWA is currently carrying out a review of the design of the WIOA Youth Program. Pending the results of this work and the corresponding strategy, FWA may require a new procurement to be issued, reflecting this strategy in advance of this procurement’s expiration of four (4) years. WIOA Youth subrecipient(s) would be notified if this decision is made.

This RFP does not guarantee a subaward or extension of subaward from the FWA or WFS. Changes in regulations, funding availability, or program requirements may lead to alterations or cancellation of the subaward, with no liability for the selected bidder's proposal. The FWA and WFS have the discretion to determine subaward amounts, the number of subawards, and how additional funds will be allocated, including expanding existing programs, or considering proposals not initially funded. Please reference Section V (Additional Clauses) for more information.

B. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

Signed into law in 2014, WIOA is designed to improve and streamline access to federally funded employment, education, training, and support services. WIOA’s key programs help tens of millions of job seekers and workers connect to good jobs and acquire the skills and credentials needed to obtain them. The enactment of WIOA provided an opportunity for reforms to ensure the WorkSource One-Stop Delivery System is job-driven, responds to the needs of employers, and prepares workers for jobs that are available now and in the future. WIOA has six main purposes:

1. Increase access to and opportunities for employment, education, training, and support services for individuals, particularly those with barriers to employment.
2. Support the alignment of workforce investment, education, and economic development systems in support of a comprehensive, accessible, and high-quality workforce development system.
3. Improve the quality and labor market relevance of workforce investment, education, and economic development efforts.
4. Promote improvement in the structure and delivery of services.
5. Increase the prosperity of workers and employers.
6. Provide workforce development activities that increase employment, retention, and earnings of participants and that increase post-secondary credential attainment and as a result, improves the quality of the workforce, reduces welfare dependency, increases economic self-sufficiency, meets skills requirement of employers, and enhances productivity and competitiveness of the nation.

See Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act for additional information.

 

Snohomish County WorkSource System

American Job Centers are a system of One-Stop Career Centers throughout the nation that delivers a broad range of employment, training, education, and business services under the WIOA umbrella. “WorkSource” is the Washington State branding for the One-Stop American Job Center system. The Washington State WorkSource system is broken down into 12 Workforce Development Areas. Snohomish County is Workforce Development Area – 4 and is governed by FWA (Local Workforce Development Board) and WFS.

Snohomish County is home to a comprehensive WorkSource Center, WorkSource Everett. In addition, the WorkSource Snohomish County system is home to a network of Connection Sites (certified and linked to the Comprehensive site in Everett) and community partnerships.

C. Subrecipient Designation

The bidder(s) selected through this RFP will be a subrecipient. A subrecipient is a non-federal entity that receives a subaward from a pass-through entity to carry out all or part of a federal program, not including an individual who is a beneficiary of such program. A subrecipient may also be a recipient of other federal awards directly from a federal awarding agency. Subrecipient and subaward are defined at 2 CFR §200.93. If your organization is not currently a recipient of federal funding, you are strongly encouraged to review these regulations before initiating an application. The subrecipient must comply with all applicable Office of Management and Budget’s Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. In this situation, the pass-through agency of the federal funds has a responsibility to monitor the subrecipient to ensure funds are being used for authorized purposes and as required by the contract or grant agreement and applicable regulations.

Section II: WIOA Title I Youth Services

A. WIOA Title I Youth Services

WIOA Title I outlines a vision for an integrated, comprehensive service delivery system that provides high-quality services for in-school and out-of-school youth – including career exploration and guidance, continued support for educational attainment, opportunities for skills training, and culminating with a good job along a career pathway or enrollment in post-secondary education. The 14 WIOA Title I Youth Program Elements, shown below, encompass this vision. Links provide additional information.

1. Tutoring, Study Skills Training, Instruction, and Dropout Prevention activities that lead to the completion of a high school diploma or recognized equivalent.
2. Alternative Secondary School and Dropout Recovery Services assist youth who have struggled in traditional secondary education or who have dropped out of school.
3. Paid and Unpaid Work Experience is a structured learning experience in a workplace and provides opportunities for career exploration and skill development. This may include the following types of work experience:
   1. Summer employment and other employment opportunities throughout the school year
   2. Pre-apprenticeship programs
   3. Internships and job shadowing
   4. On-the-job training opportunities
4. Occupational Skills Training is an organized program of study that provides specific skills and leads to proficiency in an occupational field.
5. Education Offered Concurrently with Workforce Preparation is an integrated education and training model combining workforce preparation, basic academic skills, and occupational skills.
6. Leadership Development Opportunities encourage responsibility, confidence, employability, self- determination, and other positive social behaviors.
7. Supportive Services enable an individual to participate in WIOA activities.
8. Adult Mentoring is a formal relationship between a youth and an adult mentor with structured activities where the mentor offers guidance, support, and encouragement.
9. Follow-up Services are provided following program exit to help ensure youth succeed in employment or education.
10. Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling provides individualized counseling to participants, including drug/alcohol and mental health counseling.
11. Financial Literacy Education provides youth with the knowledge and skills they need to achieve long-term financial stability.
12. Entrepreneurial Skills Training provides the basics of starting and operating a small business and develops entrepreneurial skills.
13. Services that provide Labor Market Information offer employment and labor market information about in-demand industry sectors or occupations.
14. Postsecondary Preparation and Transition Activities help youth prepare for and transition to post- secondary education and training.

B. Youth Eligibility for Services

To be considered eligible for WIOA Title I In-School (ISY) or Out-of-School (OSY) program services, youth must meet specific WIOA Title I eligibility requirements as defined in WIOA legislation and state (WA State WorkSource System Policy 1019) and local policy (WFS Policy 2020).

The previous 2021 Youth Services RFP and FWA guidance prescribed a 90% OSY and 10% ISY total expenditure, which has been maintained by the current provider and will be carried over into the new program year. The current number of active youth and young adults that are forecasted to carry into the next program year is approximately 80 participants.

Under its program design evaluation, the FWA is re-examining ISY/OSY ratios. The completion of this review may impact future ISY/OSY ratios, resulting in an updated policy in future program years. A transition plan will be agreed upon by WFS and the successful bidder(s).

In-School Eligibility Requirements:

• Attending school.
• Not younger than 14 years and not older than 21 years.
• Low-income individual; and
• One or more of the following conditions:
  • Individual with a disability
  • Basic skills deficient
  • English language learner
  • Subject to the juvenile or adult justice system
  • Experiencing a lack of stable housing, a runaway, in foster care or has aged out of the foster care system, a youth eligible for assistance, or in an out-of-home placement.
  • Pregnant or parenting
  • Individual who requires additional support to complete an educational program or to secure or hold employment.

Out-of-School Eligibility Requirements:

• Not attending any school (as defined under state law).
• Not younger than 16 years or older than 24 years at the time of enrollment; and
• One or more of the following conditions:
  • Has dropped out of school.
  • Within the age of compulsory school attendance but has not attended school for at least the most recent complete school year calendar quarter.
  • Recipient of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent who is low-income and either basic skills deficient or an English language learner.
  • Subject to the juvenile or adult justice system
  • Experiencing a lack of stable housing, a runaway, in foster care or has aged out of the foster care system, a youth eligible for assistance, or in an out-of-home placement.
  • Pregnant or parenting
  • Individual with a disability
  • Low-income individual who requires additional assistance to enter or complete an educational program or to secure or hold employment.

C. Program Design Components

WIOA Title I Youth Services providers must make the 14 WIOA Title I Youth Program Elements available to participants as direct services they provide or through system partnerships, coordination, and referrals. Bidders’ program design must include the following components to meet these criteria.

Outreach, Recruitment, and Orientation: Outreach and recruitment include, but are not limited to, identifying potentially eligible Youths, working with parents and guardians to inform about program services and secure necessary documentation, and working closely with other governmental and community organizations and school systems to identify and recruit out-of-school and in-school Youths. As part of orientation, all Youths must receive information on the full array of available services and how to access them.

Intake, Eligibility Determination, and Registration: The subrecipient will be responsible for determining WIOA Title I eligibility of all Youth applicants recruited into the program, determining the Youth’s suitability for program services, and collecting and verifying all necessary eligibility source documents. WIOA Title I requires all Youths to meet eligibility criteria and be determined eligible prior to enrollment and receipt of WIOA Title I-funded services.

Intake, Eligibility Determination, and Registration The subrecipient must conduct an objective assessment of the academic level, skill levels, and service needs of each participant, which will include a review of basic skills, occupational skills, prior work experience, employability, interests, strengths, supportive service needs, and development needs. The goal is to accurately evaluate each Youth to develop an appropriate service strategy to meet their individual needs. Eligible Youths who do not enroll in WIOA Title I programs should be provided with information regarding other applicable and appropriate services available through other local programs that have the capacity to serve them. In addition, eligible Youths should be given referrals for further assessment if determined appropriate.

Individual Service Strategy (ISS)/Employment Plan: The subrecipient must use the results of the Youth’s objective assessment to develop the ISS with the participant. The ISS is an age appropriate, individualized, documented plan with short- and long-term goals that include career pathways, education and employment goals, involvement in WIOA Title I youth program elements, supportive services, and incentives, as applicable. For all Youths, the ISS will identify the timeframe in which each Youth will be expected to complete all activities related to each of the goals specified in the ISS and should be regularly updated with the Youth. The ISS will clearly connect the services to be provided to each Youth’s needs and goals and identify the outcomes to be achieved between WIOA Title I enrollment and exit. The ISS must directly link to one or more WIOA Title I performance outcomes (Common Measures, further explained in Section II.D).

Employment and Education Navigation: Commonly referred to as “case management,” Employment and Education Navigation is the structure for delivering effective services that facilitate Youths’ positive development and achievement of their goals. Navigation extends from recruitment/enrollment through follow-up services. The Education and Employment Navigator (EEN) supports and motivates participants and coordinates services (including any of the 14 Youth Program Elements) and information to prepare Youths for post-secondary education opportunities, academic and occupational training, or employment. Subrecipients are encouraged to incorporate trauma-informed approaches, behavioral health awareness, motivational interviewing, implicit bias training, and racially equitable practices into their Navigation models.

Access to a Range of Services: It is required that the 14 WIOA Youth Program Elements be made available to enrolled Youths as needed or requested. If a subrecipient does not directly provide one of the program elements, it must have the ability and connections to make seamless referrals to appropriate providers of such services. Services accessed by a WIOA Title I Youth participant must align with the needs and goals identified by the participant and case manager as documented in the participant’s ISS. The subrecipient will have primary responsibility for ensuring that each Youth has access to the full continuum of services and for documentation of these services.

Work Experience: The Department of Labor requires at least 20% of all awarded WIOA Title I youth formula funds to be spent on paid or unpaid work experiences. The subrecipient selected through this RFP must demonstrate a capacity to provide, or collaborate in providing, work-based learning programs such as paid or unpaid work experience, summer and year-round employment, pre-apprenticeship, internships, job shadowing, and on-the-job-training that serve as the next steps in youth career development. This component of the program design must encompass collaboration with the WFS Business Engagement Team and WorkSource Snohomish partners to ensure high quality interactions and coordination of system partners engaging with employers.

Training and Education: The WIOA Youth program is unique among WIOA programs in that employment is not the only outcome; education is also a key performance metric in two ways: (1) youth exiting to post-secondary education and (2) earning a recognized credential. The selected subrecipient must be able to refer and support youth in enrolling in credentialed training programs, college programs, pre-apprenticeships, registered apprenticeships, and alternative high school completion programs. Additionally, they must support In-School Youth in staying on track to graduate or successfully completing high school.

Follow-up Services: Subrecipients are required to provide at least 12 months of follow-up services to Youths who have completed program services as well as to those who may have dropped out of the program but need additional services. Bidders are encouraged to consider the needs and barriers of the high-priority Youth populations identified for this RFP in planning the appropriate levels and types of follow-up services.

D. Performance Outcomes

The subrecipient selected from this RFP will be required to meet and track WIOA Title I Common Performance Measures at the levels negotiated with Washington State for the Snohomish County Workforce Development Area. We encourage all bidders to review the WIOA Title I Common Performance Measures definitions. Performance measure levels are adjusted annually based on past system performance and populations served. The WIOA Title I Common Performance Measures and levels from last program year are shown below.