Career Readiness

Grant Guidelines

The Alabama Community College System (ACCS) Workforce Development Division is accepting applications for Career Readiness. This initiative provides workplace essential (soft) skills and a career pathway for adults with limited education and employment experience. Examples include Alabama Career Essentials (ACE) and Ready to Work (RTW).

Career Readiness

Project Specifications

Funding Period and Project Sustainability

(funding is based on FY period October 1-September 30)

Grant recipients progressing toward achieving agreed-upon project outcomes will typically receive the entire allocation in the current fiscal year. It is understood that projects started later in a fiscal year may require continuation beyond the end of the fiscal year. Expenditure and performance reporting will continue until the end of the fiscal year, regardless of when the grant is closed. A grant is considered to be closed when one of the following occurs: 1) the time period for which the grant was awarded has expired; 2) the need for which the grant was awarded is met; 3) changes have occurred and the project has been deactivated (rescission applies); or 4) performance was unfavorable and rescission is directed by the Alabama Community College System Workforce Development Division. There is no guarantee for continued project funding beyond the grant closeout date. All efforts must be made to ensure that the project is sustainable, if applicable, beyond the grant closeout date. No projects are authorized to begin incurring costs without a signed Grant Agreement and a budget approved by the Workforce Development Division.

Applicant and Service Provider Requirements

The service provider (e.g., training institution) shall serve as fiscal agent and grant recipient. The service provider shall be responsible for administering the grant, reporting performance, submitting timely invoices with supporting documents for reimbursement, and ensuring that funds are used appropriately. Only institutions of the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) may be recipients of these funds; non-ACCS entities may be eligible for funding from other sources. Non-ACCS service providers may also partner with ACCS entities as co-applicants.

Proposed Activities

Activities proposed for funding must be justified by documented needs. Documentation may be provided by analyzing the most current statewide and regional data provided by the Alabama Department of Labor at http://www2.labor.alabama.gov. Alternatively, other data sources such as Lightcast and JobsEQ data that document the need will be considered. It is also encouraged to include letters of support stating the needs of business and industry as part of the documentation.

Coordination and Collaboration

Proposed projects must be part of a coordinated and integrated approach to workforce development and demonstrate collaboration with the local Alabama Career Center, the college Adult Education Program as well as other community partners (e.g., service providers such as schools, businesses, and community organizations) so that resources are used efficiently and effectively to address workforce development needs and to avoid duplication. *As a reminder, Alabama High Schools are providing ACE to all students.

Performance Reporting

Reporting requirements specific to the project will be clearly outlined in the Grant Agreement. Final performance data for all non-credit and/or customized training provided by community colleges are to be reported by the appropriate Adult Education staff at the institutions through the Alabama Adult Education System for Accountability and Performance (AAESAP). Goals will be set based on per pupil cost of $400 which includes but is not limited to TABE assessments, WorkKeys testing, Certification tests, registration costs, and facilitated instruction if necessary. This number should be used in calculation of anticipated outcomes. For example, if the budget request is $40,000, the goal for participants to be served should be 100 ($40,000 divided by $400).

Fiscal and Performance Accountability

Projects funded with Workforce Development Division funds from the ACCS will typically receive grant funds through reimbursement by submitting a Monthly Remittance Request as often as monthly, in accordance with the Grant Agreement awarding the funds. The Remittance Report must be accompanied with supporting documentation to receive reimbursement for allowable expenditures. At a minimum, a Remittance Report will be submitted at the end of each quarter to update the Workforce Development Division on the status of the project, regardless of whether funds have been expended. Detailed procedures related to allowable expenses will be stated in the Grant Agreement.

Application Submission, Review, and Approval

  1. Applications for funds must be received by the ACCS Workforce Development Division in the prescribed format using the ACCS Online Form.
  2. Upon submittal, a notification of receipt will be generated to the contact person’s email as entered in the Online Form.
  3. ACCS will conduct a preliminary review of applications for completeness.
  4. ACCS will conduct a Proposal Review Committee meeting.
  5. Upon approval, the ACCS Workforce Development Division will submit to the applicant a Notification of Award and a Grant Agreement that provides details regarding appropriate accounting and compliance practices.

Ready to Apply!

Applicants should be prepared to respond to the on-line application questions as specified, as well as complete appropriate forms and attach applicable documents as indicated below:

    Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act (Protection Act)

    As a condition of any funds awarded, the grantee agrees to comply with the terms of the Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act and any subsequent amendments.  It is the responsibility of the fiscal agent to ensure compliance of this Act by all sub-grantees.

    For more information about this grant opportunity, contact Tara Brown, Grant Manager at [email protected]. 

    Questions? Contact Us.

    Barry May

    Executive Director of Workforce and Economic Development

    (O) 334-293-4707

    (C)  334-590-6390

    [email protected]

    Tara Brown

    Workforce Grants Manager

    334-293-4702

    [email protected]

    Elizabeth Strickland

    Workforce Coordinator

    334-293-4521

    [email protected]