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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20173876.tiffRESOLUTION RE: APPROVE COLLABORATIVE APPLICATION FOR COLORADO WORKS SUBSIDIZED TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (CW STEP) AND AUTHORIZE DIRECTOR OF DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO SIGN WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and WHEREAS, the Board has been presented with Collaborative Application for the Colorado Works Subsidized Training and Employment Program (CW STEP) from the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Weld County Department of Human Services, and various other Counties to the Colorado Department of Human Services, commencing January 1, 2018, and ending June 30, 2019, with further terms and conditions being as stated in said collaborative application, and WHEREAS, after review, the Board deems it advisable to approve said collaborative application, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, that the Collaborative Application for the Colorado Works Subsidized Training and Employment Program (CW STEP) from the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Department of Human Services and various other Counties, to the Colorado Department of Human Services be, and hereby is, approved. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Board that the Director of the Department of Human Services to sign. The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 15th day of November, A.D., 2017. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD CO NTY, COLORADO ATTEST: datitvidi Weld County Clerk to the Board BY:Coc) • uty Clerk to the Board Steve Moreno, Pro-Tem Sean P. Conway APPROVp A o n y Attorney arbara Kirkmeyer Date of signature: a ( 5 / 11 c.c: HS0 Ol/1'lo rI• 2017-3876 HR0088 PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM DATE: October 26, 2017 TO: Board of County Commissioners — Pass -Around FR: Judy A. Griego, Director, Human Services RE: Weld County Department of Human Services' Employment Services' (ESWC) Subsidized Training and Employment Program (STEP) Inform Board of the Department's Employment Services' (ESWC) Colorado Works Subsidized Training and Employment Program (CW STEP) plan. STEP is formally known as "Employment with Wages" and is the product of Senate Bill 17-292. The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) released a Request for Application (RFA) to award funding to directly support Colorado Works (TANF) participants to obtain increased employment support through work -based learning activities. The initial period of funding is January 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019; however, CDHS shall have the option to extend the term up to June 30, 2020, subject to available funds. The RFA encourages collaborative applications and has an aggressive timeline. Based on the requirements and timeframe, ESWC will provide Weld County's request to be included in the collaborative application, along with other Workforce Centers to include El Paso, Jefferson, Arapahoe/Douglas, Boulder, Larimer. Upon award, STEP will provide an additional $437,930 to support 50 Weld County -TANF participants to participate with valuable work -based learning opportunities, such as paid Internships, On -the -Job Training (OJT), Registered Apprenticeships and other work experience opportunities. The application is due Friday November 3, 2017, and will be submitted by Larimer County on behalf of the six local areas involved. ESWC will not apply independently, as it is a collaborative application. Upon award, Weld County anticipates an agreement to come before the Board for formal signature before funds are distributed. I do not recommend a Work Session. I recommend approval to submit Weld County's request as part of the collaborative agreement. Sean P. Conway Julie A. Cozad, Chair Mike Freeman Barbara Kirkmeyer Steve Moreno, Pro -Tern MCA Approve Recommendation Work Session Schedule Other/Comments: 2017-3876 1-1R00 S-43' Pass -Around Memorandum; October 26, 2017 — Not in CMS Page 1 EXHIBIT C D ORIGINAL STATE OF COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES REQUEST FOR APPLICATION DATE: RFP NO: DIRECT INOUIRIES TO: PHONE: E -Mail: October 10, 2017 IHGA 2018000092 Roman Hernandez 303-866-3227 roman.hernandezAstate.co.us RETURN RFP TO: DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES North/Central Procurement Office 1575 Sherman Street, 6t° floor Denver, CO 80203 DATE DUE: November 3, 2017 AT 5:00 PM (Local) Applications properly marked as to RFA NO., DATE and HOUR of opening, subject to the conditions herein stipulated and in accordance with the specifications set forth and/or attached hereto, will be accepted at the address listed above, prior to the date and time listed for the RFA opening. Ail applications shall be quoted F.O.B. destination, unless otherwise specified, to the delivery location or jobsite listed herein. REQUEST FOR APPLICATION # IHGA 2017000092 TITLE Staff Development Center Training Evaluation AGENCY Department of Human Services SEE ATTACHED PAGES FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS. IMPORTANT: Applications submitted in response to this RFA MUST be accompanied by this "REQUEST FOR APPLICATION" sheet. Applicants should read the entire RFA document before submitting a proposal. Vendors must be registered with Colorado VSS by the proposal submission due date and time. PROPOSALS MUST BE SIGNED IN INK TERMS 30 calendar days Payment Terms of Ices than 30 calendar days will not he considered. Pricing shall be effective for 180 days after award. APPLICANT Larimer County Workforce Center NAME Fiscal Accent for the Front Range STEP Alliance Handwritten Signature by Authorized Officer or ADDRESS Agent of Vendor TITLE Lorimer County Workforce Center Director Fort Collins ZIP 80521 . ,,Ajmer County Workforce Center 200 West Oak Street. Suite 5000 PHONE (970) 498-6604 DATE October 30, 2017 Confirm that you are aware that the award E -Mail jfriedman@larimer.org notice will be published on Colorado CORE-VSS. (970) 498-6670 FAX FEIN or SSN $ Lr 4.OOO777 My Company is registered on Colorado CORE-VSS, X Yes No AEnteryouror SSN as registered on Colorado VSS Include your VSS Vendor Code (VC#) if known: VC1A9fi9 RETURN THIS PAGE get connected I stay connected November 3, 2017 TRANSMITTAL L _ N{;T'I'ER RFP: #2018000092 2018000092 Colorado Works Subsidized Training & Employment Program (CW STEP) Attention: Roman Hernandez Colorado Department of Human Services North/Central Procurement Office 15,75 Sherman Street, 6th Floor Denver, CO 80203 To Whom It May Concern: Thank you for the opportunity to submit a Request for Applications (RFA) for the Colorado Works Subsidized Training & Employment Program (RFP 42018000092). Please accept this letter as a positive statement, from the Front Range STEP Alliance members, to willingly comply with all work requirements and other terms and conditions as specified in the RFA. The Front Range STEP Alliance is comprised of six workforce development regions: Arapahoe/Douglas Works!, Workforce Boulder County, Jefferson County Duman Services, Larimer County Workforce Center, Pikes Peak Workforce Center, and Employment Services of Weld County. Enclosed with this RFA are the following materials and attachments that comprise our proposal: A, State of Colorado Request for Application Signature Page B. Transmittal Letter C. Technical/Business Proposal D. Demonstrated Experience and Capacity E. Cost Proposal F. Organizational Chart C. Delivery Schedule H. Additional Data I. Letters of Support www iai imervvorkfonte,org 200 W Oak Street, Suite 5000 Fort Collins, CO 80521 (970) 498-6600 418 East 4th Street Loveland, CO 80537 (970) 619-4650 1601 Brodie Ave. t.�urrtrii ,�lX�1TY Estes Park, CO 80517 (9 70) 577-2152 .grill :i' <c.Airl - I `�•, .r4 i �: •• L :'� � :y'ti``:i :r•:c:'�: Cecilia.: of an ;,lr ,.s€ r•; :; n , ,; y get if and � gyp„ !s Vac Gins ri qtr rc.. '�� • - . ...I..-- . • .1.1. .fib --.i-....... • •. ...:.-to..: • --- •,.� . . All participating workforce development regions are local, governmental entities and attest that there is no knowledge o fits employees, agents, independent applicants, or proposed subcontractors having been an excluded provider, convicted ofany criminal charges, or actions having moral turpitude. The RFA submitted by the Larimer County Workforce Center, on behalf of the Front Range STEP Alliance, shall remain valid for a minimum of one hundred eighty (l 80) days from the date of the award. None of the members of the Front Range STEP Alliance have pending contracts with the State of Colorado and do not have any other proposals submitted to the State o f Colorado for award consideration. There are no known potential conflicts of interest related to this RFA nor is there any intent to perform services outside the state o f Colorado or the United States. The Front Range STEP Alliance looks forward to being an active partner in this exciting opportunity to assist Colorado Works recipients to attain a living -wage, permanent employment through subsidized employment opportunities including internships, transitional jobs, apprenticeships, on-the-job training and other similar activities. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Kelly A. Folks, Workforce Director Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Vhilitsluno.ru Joni Friedman, Director Larimer County Workforce Center atni . tt ton Plead Employment Services o f Weld County n A. Johnson, Executive Director Jefferson County Human Services Erin Jones, N ,' W, Executive Director Workforce Boulder County Lisa Rice, Executive Director Pikes Peak Workforce Center Front Range STEP Alliance C. TECHNICAL/BUSINESS PROPOSAL: Section IV (Requirements/Statement of Work) Introduction: The purpose of the Colorado Works Subsidized Training & Employment Program (CW STEP) is to improve employment outcomes within the Colorado Works program by increasing the number of jobs filled within industries with demonstrated shortages of qualified workers. Colorado Works job seekers desiring living -wage, permanent employment through subsidized employment opportunities including internships, transitional jobs, apprenticeships, on-the-job training and similar activities, will be the target audience. A. Eligible Applicants: The Larimer County Workforce Center (LCWC) is submitting the Request for Applications (RFA), on behalf of the Front Range STEP Alliance, a regional alliance prepared to offer CW STEP in six workforce development regions located along the Front Range. The Front Range STEP Alliance includes the following workforce development regions: Arapahoe/Douglas Works!, Workforce Boulder County, Larimer County Workforce Center, Pikes Peak Workforce Center (El Paso and Teller), Jefferson County Human Services, and Employment Services of Weld County. While the specific services and service delivery may differ within each of the Alliance partners, all partners within the Front Range STEP Alliance are committed to seeing our collective TANF families thrive and will build on, and learn from, each other's strengths through the implementation of this grant and work -based learning opportunities. Developing, implementing, and supporting work -based learning opportunities is a hallmark service within the workforce development system. Work -based learning opportunities can appear in the form of apprenticeships, subsidized employment opportunities, on-the-job training, transitional jobs, internships, or a combination of those options. One of the key denominators among work -based learning opportunities is that the learning occurs in part, or in totality, in the workplace and is designed to provide the worker with hands-on, real world experience. The Front Range STEP Alliance will place 300 eligible individuals into subsidized employment opportunities and will conduct the essential functions of the grant including participant recruitment, comprehensive assessment, employer recruitment, case management and job coaching, training and supportive services, along with providing job placement and wage reimbursement to CW STEP participants. All Front Range STEP Alliance partners meet the Page 1 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance definition of "eligible applicant" due to their status as the officially -designated entity charged with providing federally -funded workforce development services in their respective areas. All members of the Front Range STEP Alliance have a successful history of providing employment services to vulnerable, low-income populations with barriers to entering the workforce. Each workforce development region will operate CW STEP as an Employer of Record and as a Local Agency Contractor or contract with an entity that provides this function. All are registered with, and in good standing with, the Secretary of State. As the Employer of Record, each partner will provide administrative functions including payment of participants' wages, withholding, applicable payroll taxes, and provide workers' compensation. Each Alliance partner has the ability to manage payroll, timesheets, and prepare and distribute all relevant tax documents to CW STEP participants. Each workforce region is able and willing to serve individuals regardless of ethnicity, language, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, and/or race. Additionally, each workforce region has data collection and outcome reporting capabilities to support the goals, purposes, and outcomes of the RFA. A letter, to document support of the Front Range STEP Alliance, is signed by each local department of human/social services within the geographic region (Attachment A). B. Application Requirements: 1. Comprehensive demonstration of the applicant organization's ability to meet all program requirements: The Front Range STEP Alliance collectively covers more than 11,900 square miles, an area larger than the state of Massachusetts, and is home to 3.18 million people, about 57% of Colorado's population (U.S. Census Bureau, 2016, 2017). These counties collectively have 1.46 million jobs (54% of all Colorado jobs) and are responsible for 55% of the state's Gross Regional Product (EMSI, 2017). While the Front Range STEP Alliance shares a low unemployment rate, (2.2% overall), not all residents and workers share in the prosperity. Poverty rates in these counties range from 6.7% to 11.9%, with a 9.8% poverty rate across the region ('-289K people in 2016). The majority of people ages 16+, and below the poverty line, worked during 2016 (57.6%). Page 2 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance Educational attainment varies across the region, with 36% (Weld) to 67% (Douglas) of adults ages 25+ possessing an Associates' Degree or higher. The economy is diverse across the region. Weld County has unique strength in Oil and Gas and Crop and Animal Production. Arapahoe and Douglas have Information sector concentrations. El Paso and Teller, Jefferson and Larimer have high concentrations of Government, due to a high military and federal government presence in El Paso County; federal government presence in Jefferson; and public education and hospitals in Larimer. Boulder County's Professional Technical and Scientific Services sector is particularly strong due to a concentration of computer systems design services and scientific research and development. Combined, the Front Range S 1EP Alliance has decades of experience administering a wide range of employment programs, with a specialization in federal and state employment -related training programs, and specific experience in developing and administering a wide range of work -based learning opportunities. Workforce Centers comprising the Alliance have a strong record of successfully meeting and exceeding federal and state program expectations and fmancial audits. Therefore, necessary quality assurance functions are established to minimize risk. All Front Range STEP Alliance partners are in good standing with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) (Attachment B) and are at the forefront of exciting and cutting -edge sector work in Colorado. Additional evidence of the Alliance's ability to meet all program requirements is further documented in the following question (#2). 2. General description and history of both the applicant agency and all proposed partners' provision of employment services: Each partner of the Front Range STEP Alliance is part of a thriving system of workforce development regions charged with the responsibility of providing effective and efficient workforce -related services to both business and job seekers. Many of the partners have been providing these employment services in their communities for over 40 years. While the structure and purpose of the workforce development regions is provided by the federal government through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), each partner brings dynamic elements of an entrepreneurial spirit that infuses additional funding, grants, and programs/services designed to meet the unique needs of their local area. Page 3 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance As part of the federal structure, each partner of the Front Range STEP Alliance is guided and supported by a Workforce Development Board (WDB). WDB's serve as the link from the federal government to the public workforce system and have many roles including developing regional strategic plans, setting funding priorities, and facilitating partnerships between local businesses. WDB's, per law, must be led by the private sector and retain at least a 51% private sector membership and promote vital, meaningful connections to local and regional business. Workforce Development Boards, and the important missions that they serve, are alive and thriving within the Front Range STEP Alliance and provide the backbone to offering effective and efficient employment services. In fact, in 2015, the Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Development Board was recognized by the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) as the top workforce development board in the United States. Sector partnerships provide industry guidance that is incorporated within the employment services offered within the Front Range STEP Alliance regions. Each region actively works with, and supports, sector work relevant to their local and regional labor market. Arapahoe/Douglas Works! has an array of sector partnerships in healthcare, information technology, construction, transportation, and retail. Workforce Boulder County has key business sectors including information technology, manufacturing, healthcare and early childhood education. Boulder's experience in the early childhood sector will be valuable to informing the Alliance's incorporation of early childhood program components within the CW STEP grant. Jefferson County supports sector partnerships in healthcare, construction, information technology, and advanced manufacturing. They have also developed high school pre -apprenticeship programs in healthcare, hospitality, and construction and these programs may serve as inspiration among partners within the Alliance. Larimer County has active sector partnerships in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, and growing sector work within transportation. Pikes Peak Workforce Center participates in the manufacturing, healthcare, and an emerging hospitality sector partnership. Employment Services of Weld County has thriving sector partnerships in advanced manufacturing and healthcare. Weld County has a successful Medical Assistant (MA) Registered Apprenticeship program in partnership with Salud Health Centers and recently Page 4 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance received recognition from CDLE and the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) for their Regional Advisory Discussions (RAD) designed to bring industry, secondary and post- secondary educators and workforce together to address local priorities with intentional alignment. Weld County is willing to share their experience with all members of the Alliance. The value of sector partnerships emerge at a time when work -based learning opportunities gain momentum as a viable strategy to assist low-income populations enter the workforce and achieve living -wage, permanent employment. Given the vast number of existing relationships with local and regional employers among the Front Range STEP Alliance, and the connections to growing/emerging industries, the Alliance has approximately 600 employers ready to train, mentor, and grow participants to meet identified labor market needs through a variety of work -based learning opportunities that lead to living -wage, permanent employment. Thousands of other employers are served each year through the Workforce Centers so additional employer relationships can (and will) be developed to meet labor market needs to through work -based learning opportunities. Each partner of the Front Range S I _ BP Alliance has decades of experience administering federal, state, and local employment -related training programs. At this time, all Front Range STEP Alliance partners operate Wagner-Peyser (labor exchange services for local businesses and general public), Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth, Adult, and Dislocated Worker programs, Governor's Summer Job Hunt (GSJH), Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), Title 38 Veterans Employment Services, and a variety of other grant -funded programs designed to serve targeted populations. Many Front Range STEP Alliance partners have a lengthy history in operating all or portions of the employment -related components of the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and Employment First (SNAP E&T) programs for their regions. Like the Larimer County Workforce Center and Employment Services of Weld County, some Front Range STEP Alliance partners have been providing these services since the inception of Welfare Reform in 1996; thus, knowledge of the rules, regulations, and reporting requirements for these programs is understood, along with a comprehensive understanding of the complexity of poverty and the Page 5 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance work supports (i.e., training, child care, and supportive services) needed to support TANF participants into living -wage, permanent jobs. Access to, and use of, economic and labor market information for the expansive geographic area served by the Front Range STEP Alliance, including the area's unemployment rate, types of industries and employers, and the types of occupations available within each area, is easily available through Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI) and is utilized by each Workforce Center. EMSI can also be used to identify economic and other data to isolate industries with worker shortages and begin to outline what is needed to develop career pathways to address worker shortages. Arapahoe/Douglas is recognized for their finesse and advanced use of labor market information and they commit to assist all partners within the Alliance with relevant labor market and economic information to further the goals of the CW STEP program. The Front Range STEP Alliance is confident that it can drive wage outcomes for TANF families closer toward self-sufficiency by identifying work -based learning strategies that are a solid match for TANF participants through robust and vital labor market information. All Alliance partners will benefit from understanding and learning from Arapahoe/ Douglas' expertise in this arena; thus, the geographic area responsible for 55% of the state's Gross National Product, will be strengthened, in its understanding of statewide economic conditions, as a result of this grant. While the Front Range STEP Alliance is a new type of partnership among current colleagues, and while there is limited previous experience that mirrors what is being proposed in this grant, all of the workforce development regions have extensive experience working together, in a variety of configurations, on other projects...large and small. The CW STEP grant is an exciting opportunity to take the work that is done in each region with work -based learning opportunities and to share best practices, while also learning from others. Ultimately, this level of collaboration has the potential to strengthen service delivery across an eight -county region. One of the benefits that is likely to happen, is learning more about how different regions train and support staff in order for staff to do the best work possible. Although differences may exist among our methods for staff training, all partners of the Front Range STEP Alliance are committed to high quality staff development, training, and program oversight. Page 6 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance 3. Description of established partnerships that will benefit program participants, community partners, and businesses: All of the workforce centers in the Front Range STEP Alliance have extensive experience serving individuals in poverty and have established partnerships with many local organizations that provide services to support these individuals in their efforts to obtain and retain employment. Examples of the supports offered by these organizations include: transportation assistance, child care, legal services, financial assistance, medical care, veterans services, housing assistance, disability services, food assistance, basic educational services, tuition assistance, as well as a variety of other services. Having, and sharing, the wealth of information gained from our collaborative community partnerships within the Alliance is a benefit of untold value. All of the Front Range STEP Alliance partners have active Business Services Teams that provide numerous workforce -related services to local businesses including work -based learning services. These Business Services Teams also have strong partnerships with Small Business Development Centers, Chambers of Commerce, business incubators, economic development organizations, professional organizations and other business serving entities. These partnerships give Workforce Centers a clear understanding of the local needs of their business community and provide a platform for providing effective workforce services to businesses. Work -based learning is one of the services promoted and provided through the use of these partnerships. Subsidized employment opportunities, a work -based learning strategy, has been a service to employers and job seekers for at least the last decade among the Front Range STEP Alliance partners, with increased emphasis as a result of TalentFound, the statewide talent development network. Each Front Range STEP Alliance partner has established Sector Partnerships which can, and are, being used to grow work -based learning along with other initiatives set by the sector partnerships. Industry partners have challenges finding the skilled talent they need and are starting to look toward work -based learning as part of the solution to these challenges. Additionally, these partnerships provide the opportunity for Front Range STEP Alliance members to coordinate efforts with higher education, school districts, and other community based organizations providing work -based learning services. These public/private partnerships provide fertile ground for the growth of work -based learning which will benefit a variety of people including CW STEP participants. Page 7 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance Front Range STEP Alliance members also participate in statewide partnerships that will benefit CW STEP participants. The Statewide Business Services Collaborative is refining, standardizing, and growing the awareness of the businesses services offered by workforce centers throughout the state. Additionally, the CDLE has established a Work -Based Learning Team which provides regular training and technical assistance to workforce centers. This level of support will allow the Front Range STEP Alliance members to expand their local work -based learning programs. Federal law also mandates 10 specific partners, such as the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) programs, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and Adult Basic Education, for participation and integration within the workforce development system. Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) are developed and functional among all of the mandated partners. As experienced practitioners in the employment services arena, valuable partnerships exist with local early childhood care providers, Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), and other key child care stakeholders within the Alliance. These partnerships, some mandated and others of a voluntary nature, will be harnessed to achieve better outcomes for TANF participants and their families. These partners will be included in the planning and implementation phases of the grant and throughout the life of the grant to the extent that the partnerships are mutually beneficial, sustainable, and contribute to better outcomes for the TANF families. Letters of support from sector partnerships, local employers, workforce development boards, early childhood community members, economic development entities, and local human/service departments are included. 4. Information that demonstrates the agency's capacity and ability to administer and deliver the proposed program, including some/all of the following components: Members of the Front Range STEP Alliance have a long history of working together to address workforce development issues and concerns. The CW STEP grant provides an opportunity to work collaboratively to identify ways to transition TANF families from poverty to living -wage, permanent employment through subsidized employment opportunities in ways that have not been previously funded. The Front Range STEP Alliance members have received Workforce Innovation Act (WIA) and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding for 20 years. Page 8 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance One of the key services offered through these Acts is work -based learning which makes workforce centers one of the most experienced providers of these services in Colorado. The Front Range STEP Alliance members have the business relationships, participant supports, community partnerships, evaluation processes, data tracking and other necessary components needed for successful work -based learning programs. The Front Range STEP Alliance also plans to regularly collaborate on best practices and technical assistance to make sure all members continue to advance their work -based learning programs. 5. Describe the target populations, among Colorado Works participants, and identify the geographic areas/counties you intend to serve, including any differentiation among the various program components per target populations: • The target population is individuals who are recipients of TANF benefits. • The geographic area of the Front Range STEP Alliance includes the following six workforce development regions: Arapahoe/Douglas Works!, Workforce Boulder County, Larimer County Workforce Center, Pikes Peak Workforce Center, Jefferson County Human Services, and Employment Services of Weld County. • EMSI and other similar tools will be utilized to identify and fill jobs in industries with worker shortages within the geographic region of the Alliance. Much of the labor market research has already been accomplished and is available in Attachments C, D, and E. Comprehensive labor market data is available for all of the workforce development regions but was not included as part of the grant application due to page constraints. • The Front Range STEP Alliance will provide 300 Colorado Works participants with subsidized employment opportunities from January 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. • Within the contract year, the Front Range STEP Alliance will achieve the following outcome measures: (1) a minimum of 20% of enrolled Colorado Works job seekers in the CW STEP program will obtain living -wage jobs; (2) a minimum of 35% of enrolled Colorado Works job seekers in the CW STEP program will obtain employment; and (3) at least 40% of enrolled Colorado Works job seekers in the CW STEP program will be on a career path to obtain a living -wage job in less than two years. Living -wage standards will be negotiated through the contract development process and will take into consideration the family type, local wage data, self-sufficiency standards, and the Page 9 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance 2016 Talent Pipeline Report; thus, it is probable that the living -wage standards will vary among the partners participating in the Alliance. • The Front Range STEP Alliance will develop and distribute a common business satisfaction survey to gauge satisfaction of participating employers. Results from the survey will be provided at the end of the contract year or as otherwise negotiated. • High -quality child care will be a priority for partners within the Front Range STEP Alliance and methods for tracking the quality of child care used by enrolled Colorado Works job seekers in the CW STEP program will be determined. • All members of the Front Range STEP Alliance support and advocate the outcomes associated with the State of Colorado's 2Gen approach. In consultation with Tara Smith, State Two Generation Program Coordinator, a verbal commitment was received to support the Front Range STEP Alliance with resources, ideas, and information so that 2Gen strategies can be incorporated, to extent possible, into the service delivery system. Ways to include and embed 2Gen strategies will be incorporated as permitted by funding, collaboration, and ingenuity, to better support TANF families as they move into living - wage, permanent employment. In fact, some of these efforts have been recently re- emerged as Employment Services of Weld County, Arapahoe/Douglas Works!, and the Larimer County Workforce Center both re -energized a local version of the summer youth employment programs offered in the past with emphasis on youth in TANF households. Weld County's initiative was specifically designed to the support the TANF family in employment -based initiatives in addition to general life skill development, counseling and crisis intervention, along with prevention -based services. • All eligible and appropriate Colorado Works participants will be considered as candidates for the Front Range STEP Alliance including adults receiving Basic Cash Assistance (BCA) and age appropriate/work ready youth. No specific populations will be targeted as part of the grant; however, regions may elect to target specific groups of TANF participants in collaboration with their local department of human/social services. • Each workforce region will work with their local department of human/social services to determine the referral processes, service delivery model, and communication strategies to meet the needs of all partnering agencies, CW STEP participants, employers within the local labor market, agency needs, and CW STEP guidelines. Page 10 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance • Participants active in the Front Range STEP Alliance will be offered a full array of services to prepare for and attain living -wage, permanent employment including, but not limited to, the following: comprehensive assessment, orientation, case management and coaching services, an individualized employment plan, subsidized employment placement customized to the customer's interests, abilities, and the needs of the labor market, wage reimbursement, training and supportive services as related to the subsidized employment placement, employment retention services, and job search/transition services. • Participants, no longer BCA eligible, may continue to be served under the broader TANF eligibility criteria and, if served, may receive case management, coaching, and supportive services, employment retention services, and other supports to enhance the likelihood of employment retention and career progression. Each workforce region will determine their ability to provide services to non-BCA TANF participants based on staff capacity and funding capability. • Using the most advanced labor market tools available, the Front Range STEP Alliance has identified occupations that are a strong match for many TANF customers. Attachment C documents a sample of the top 20 industries by employment concentration relative to the national average (location quotient). Attachment D shows a sample of the top 20 industries projected to add the most jobs through 2022. These key industries and economic sectors will be targeted within each workforce region as appropriate to fill jobs in industries with demonstrated shortages of qualified workers. • Optimal occupations for subsidized employment opportunities that lead to living -wage, permanent employment within the geographic area of the Front Range STEP Alliance were determined by considering the average educational attainment per household size for TANF recipients in Colorado. Data from the Colorado Center for Law and Policy's Family Self -Sufficiency Standard was also generated for each participating area. Together, these tools generated a list of all occupations likely to meet the criteria, for each region, that includes the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code, the occupational title, and the number of jobs, average annual openings, number of completions (graduates from training programs specific to that occupation), median hourly earnings, typical on-the-job training, and typical entry level education. Page 11 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance As a result, each participating workforce development region has a list of occupations that pay at or over the individual self-sufficiency wage, while reflecting the documented educational attainment levels of TANF customers, and offering opportunities in apprenticeship, long-term, medium -term, and short-term work -based learning and/or on- the-job training in a variety of occupational areas that support key industry groups in each region. These occupational areas include business operations, financial operations, computer science, technician (engineering & sciences), art/design, health care practitioner & technical, health care support, clerical, construction & extraction, installation, maintenance & repair, and production. Refer to Attachment E for a sample of the list of potential CW STEP occupations. Additionally, many of the Alliance partners have existing relationships with employers that offer/need these occupations so the creation of a "perfect match" between the needs of the employer, TANF participant, and workforce development region may be only a phone call away. These lists of occupations will guide local CW STEP plans for identifying and recruiting TANF customers to fill jobs within industries that have worker shortages and provide living -wage employment. Access to the comprehensive labor market data for all Alliance regions is available upon request. • Subsidized employment opportunities that are customized to the knowledge, interests, and abilities of the CW STEP participants, and that meet labor market needs, will be a primary focus of the Front Range STEP Alliance. New subsidized employment opportunities will be created whenever possible; in fact, the Larimer County Workforce Center creates an average of seven new subsidized employment opportunities per month to accommodate new and emerging occupations that are a good fit for TANF families. Workforce Boulder County works closely with their TANF participants to identify a worksite that is a good fit and that can offer the training needed to develop the skills to achieve the experience that is most in demand. Additionally, at a recent job fair, Pikes Peak Workforce Center surveyed participating employers and learned that 29% of the employers were interested in participating in a subsidized employment opportunity. Pikes Peak has also recruited employers to serve as Industry Champions to help design and operate their local work readiness training. Weld County facilitates a monthly work - based learning meeting inclusive of Business Services, WIOA, Colorado Works, and Employment First as a strategy for continuous improvement and as a venue to discuss Page 12 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance potential work -based learning strategies or hard -to -place individuals with multiple barriers to employment. This model has been identified as a promising practice by CDLE. Employers are able and willing to participate in activities that support successful development and implementation of the CW STEP grant throughout the geographic area of the Front Range STEP Alliance. The Alliance partners have the experience, networks, and infrastructure in place to make meaningful and beneficial employment matches. 6. Program approach to overcome the barriers Colorado Works participants face in obtaining a living -wage, permanent job: Assessment, Intake, and Enrollment of Participants: • Assessment is an ongoing process and will be conducted throughout the duration of the CW STEP program to determine appropriate career pathways and the best ways for the CW STEP program to assist each TANF participant. Each Alliance partner will continue to be responsible for the assessment of CW STEP participants. Some assessment processes will be formal (i.e., at orientation) and others will occur through conversation and regular interaction with workforce center staff. Participant log notes will document and reflect the assessment process. • Each Alliance partner will work with their local department of human/social services to develop specific referral and follow-up processes that are collaborative in nature and responsive to the service delivery flow between both entities. Strong communication strategies will be agreed upon and deployed to ensure that both entities have vital information in a timely and responsive manner. As a result of this collaborative process, the respective Alliance partner will conduct intake services and enroll CW STEP participants that have been determined to be appropriate and have the ability to benefit into the CW STEP program. • Each Alliance partner will provide a program orientation process (i.e., onboarding) for each CW STEP participant. During the orientation process, participants will learn about program expectations and opportunities, duration of services, possible impact of earned income on future public assistance benefits, customized employment matching and placement, registration in Connecting Colorado, job search, employment retention and transition services, and supportive services related to successful participation in the Page 13 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance CW STEP program. Specific career aptitude surveys, interest inventories, career exploration tools, and other related items will be administered by each Alliance partner as determined beneficial to creating and supporting customized employment matching and placement. As appropriate, barriers to employment and related mitigation strategies will be discussed. Other factors, or modifications, will be considered for an effective onboarding process as determined by the local workforce development region. • In accordance with guidance, each Alliance partner will maintain detailed records of job placement and other activities, including employer information, job title and description, projected and actual length of the subsidized employment activity, including wage at placement. These records will be maintained in Connecting Colorado and/or the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS) as appropriate. A specific data sharing agreement (provided by the State) will be required for each Alliance partner, if the grant is awarded. • Based on EMSI labor market data, and in concert with the interests and skills of the TANF participant, Alliance partners will conduct employer recruitment that meets labor market needs, is a good match for the participant, and will support movement to living - wage, permanent employment. Other factors will be taken into consideration for effective employer recruitment as determined by the local workforce development region. • Partners within the Front Range STEP Alliance will work with their local human/social service departments to outline appropriate and beneficial communications strategies and standards to ensure that all entities have the information they need to be successful as they perform their essential functions. Allowable Spending: • Work Experience and Wages: The Front Range STEP Alliance will provide 300 CW STEP customers with subsidized employment opportunities. TANF customers will receive subsidized wage (in combination with complementary training and/or other support) for up to six months at a maximum of 40 hours per week, in a broad spectrum of employment settings (i.e., private, non-profit, and/or public) with an option to extend for a maximum of an additional six months and with as many as three admissions into the CW STEP program. Many Front Range STEP Alliance partners will provide a standard Page 14 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance hourly wage for CW STEP participants within their region; however, the prevailing wage may be offered when the workforce region determines it is a necessary strategy to engage employers and/or to fill jobs in industries with worker shortages and available funding supports this strategy. A process for determining the prevailing wage will be developed as this strategy is operationalized. Each partner will serve as the employer of record, or contract with a provider for these functions, and will provide workers' compensation and related employment taxes as appropriate. • Subsidized employment opportunities will be scheduled for approximately 30 - 40 hours per week unless a different number of hours per week is mutually beneficial to the CW STEP customer and employer (not to exceed 40 hours per week). • Performance evaluations, monitoring of skill development progress, and other staff - assisted case management services will be provided. • An agreement between the worksite and the respected Alliance partner will be in place prior to placement and will delineate the roles of the both entities. Some partners, like Jefferson County Human Services, also provide their worksite employers with "mentoring" pre -sessions and quarterly networking gatherings to share research -based best practices, problem -solve issues, and network to improve employment plans, performance outcomes and communication of expectations. These types of best practices will be shared among the Alliance so that other workforce development regions can determine their fit within their service delivery area. • All placements will include hands-on work experience and may include any of the following activities: subsidized employment, work -based learning, apprenticeships, internships, transitional jobs, on-the-job training, career training, instructional site learning, job shadowing and classroom training directly related to work. Each workforce region within the Front Range STEP Alliance will determine the subsidized employment opportunities that are the best match for their local labor market and that address industries with worker shortages. • A cost per participant model that outlines anticipated costs for wages, training, education, supportive services, and other identified costs is available in Attachment F. • Job Coaching and Supportive Services: All members of the Front Range STEP Alliance will provide job coaching (aka: case management) as an ongoing component of the CW Page 15 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance STEP program. Case management includes knowledge of local labor market conditions and employers, assessment of skills, abilities, and interests necessary to make a successful subsidized employment match and to support employment retention. It also includes the monitoring of progress toward short-term goals, maintaining regular contact, supporting meaningful work engagement and retention, reviewing timesheets and skills growth, and fostering progress toward unsubsidized employment. Supportive services are defined as services directly correlated to the needs of the worksite, and/or CW STEP participant, in order for the participant to successful in employment and/or employment - related activities. Supportive services will be coordinated directly between each workforce region and the local department of human/social services in order to ensure that services are not duplicated and that they are released through Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS), when appropriate. Available county TANF funds for case management, coaching, and supportive services will be prioritized before CW STEP funds are used. The following list of items is an example of the supportive services that may be considered: transportation (gas, bus passes, and car repairs); child care; clothing/uniforms directly related to employment; work -related licenses, certifications, and testing fees; tools, equipment, and accessories; workshops, seminars and/or self- improvement courses; short -tern employment -focused education/training to meet work - related needs connected to the subsidized employment opportunity; and other reasonable expenses necessary to be successful in the CW STEP program. Supportive service expenditures will be guided by local policies within the Front Range STEP Alliance. Allowable Training Expenditures: • The Front Range STEP Alliance requests the option to offer participant training opportunities when the training is attached to an employment opportunity and is an expressed component necessary for an individual to gain employment. Training will not be funded with CW STEP fiords when it is not an explicit component of the subsidized employment opportunity or related allowable activities. Budget Consideration: • Refer to Attachment F for a comprehensive review of this information. Page 16 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance Participant Placements: The Front Range STEP Alliance affirms the following: • No permanent employees were displaced in lieu of filling a subsidized position among employers participating in the CW STEP program. • Employers will have an opportunity to pre-screen participants prior to placement; participants will not be blindly referred to any CW STEP participating employer. • Employers are not bound to hire a CW STEP participant at completion of the subsidized employment opportunity; however, employers will be encouraged to consider the CW STEP participant prior to conducting an external search. • Employers are expected to retain CW STEP participants that successfully complete the training period for on-the-job training opportunities. • Targeted training will relate to open positions within the local labor market at an existing worksite or with another employer in the community. Reporting: • Partners within the Front Range STEP Alliance have a significant experience with collecting and recording service delivery data, as required by a wide range of funding entities, into required data collection systems. The major key for this to be a successful endeavor is to understand the data that needs to be collected and recorded, to the extent possible, prior to implementation of the CW STEP grant. That way, all required data can be collected in an efficient and streamlined manner. Connecting Colorado is the reporting system used by all partners in the Alliance and consistent data reporting structures will be developed. • The Front Range STEP Alliance agrees to comply with the following reporting requirements (via reporting forms and/or database prescribed by the State and/or otherwise negotiated) to include, but not limited to, the following: name and/or case number; hours worked per week, hourly wage (subsidized vs. unsubsidized); total monthly income; training or other employer -paid activities; number of children in quality child care; supportive services provided. Page 17 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance • If selected to administer the CW STEP program, the Front Range STEP Alliance welcomes the opportunity to work with a designated state employee(s) in the role of CW STEP liaison. The Front Range STEP Alliance agrees to provide required quarterly reports, and other documentation as requested. The Larimer County Workforce Center will serve as the Fiscal Agent for the grant. The Front Range STEP Alliance also agrees to work with the designated liaison(s) for routine communication, general questions and program support, and to participate in CW STEP -related meetings to understand grant requirements and reporting guidelines. Risk Assessment: Refer to Attachment G to review a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis to view processes for minimizing risks and insuring quality control in the administration of the CW STEP grant by the Front Range STEP Alliance. 7. Demonstration of innovative programmatic design that overcomes the unique barriers families face in obtaining employment so they may secure a place on a career pathway that leads to economic security: Poverty in the United States is complex. There is no silver bullet that magically moves a person from poverty to living -wage, permanent employment. However, the Front Range STEP Alliance has a unique opportunity to create a learning community dedicated to exploring and addressing poverty, up and down the Front Range, through the use of subsidized employment opportunities. Instead of six different CW STEP programs operating in isolation, the Front Range STEP Alliance will create a learning community to improve the skills and knowledge of all Alliance partners through a collaborative and outcomes -focused environment, intentful and thoughtful inquiry, re-evaluating and refining of services and programs, expertise exchange and learning, and peer dialogue supported by relationship -building. The learning community will be designed to increase the achievement of TANF customers through enhanced program design, services, and strategies garnered through the professional development and learning that occurs through the Alliance. Eventually, lessons learned, challenges overcome, hard knocks related to real -life experience, and other learning points can be shared within Colorado to inform other practitioners about ways to strengthen services to move TANF families from poverty to living -wage, permanent employment. Page 18 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance The Front Range STEP Alliance is also in an exciting position to partner with Mathematica Policy Research to evaluate an evidence -informed goal achievement coaching model within subsidized employment opportunities and to invite local employers to collaborate on this adventure. Mathematica Policy Research defines itself as a pioneering nonpartisan research organization dedicated to improving public well-being with expansive expertise in conducting policy research, data collection, and data analytics. Based in Washington, D.C., and throughout the country, Mathematica states that it has been at the forefront of assessing the effectiveness of policies and programs for nearly 50 years. The Front Range STEP Alliance has the potential to benefit from Mathematica's expertise and to contribute to the broader base of research regarding the applicability of a goal achievement coaching model, matched with employers skilled in goal achievement supervision strategies and subsidized employment opportunities, to determine the overall impact of those combined programmatic attributes and their ability to move TANF families from poverty to living -wage, permanent employment. Members of the Alliance are interested in exploring whether the use of a goal achievement coaching model with all players (i.e., the TANF customer, coach, and employer) results in different (hopefully positive!) outcomes that result in increased employment attainment and retention, wage gains, and the potential for a career pathway trajectory. This is a truly cutting -edge, innovative, and complex evaluation within a social program context. Refer to Attachment H for a letter of support regarding this opportunity. Funding for the evaluation opportunity has been listed as a separate line item in the budget so that it can be added to the grant, or eliminated, at the discretion of CDHS. All Alliance partners are eligible to participate, if participation is an appropriate match given the time, energy, and dedication required for these types of evaluation efforts. Early indications suggest that most of the Alliance partners are interested in exploring participation in the Mathematica-led evaluation. Larimer County Workforce Center and Jefferson Human Services have been working with Mathematica to support and enhance their TANF programs and have found these efforts to be beneficial and impactful. Larimer County is currently working in partnership with Mathematica on a goal achievement coaching model within the TANF program and preliminary indications are positive and exciting. Mathematica is also working with Jefferson County on adapting and Page 19 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance implementing a goal -achievement coaching approach for their TANF employment services, which has similarities to the work being conducted in Larimer County. Jefferson County is also implementing an Individual Placement Support (IPS) model to engage some of the harder -to - serve participants with some planning assistance from Mathematica. Weld County has also been working with Mathematica for more than a year to enhance their TANF program and improve the Work Participation Rate (WPR). Through the CW STEP grant, all workforce development regions can gain exposure to these efforts and determine if any (or all) of these efforts are a good match for them and their communities. If the grant is funded, a "Road Test" evaluation will be developed with interested Alliance partners and supported by a contract with Mathematica. All Alliance partners are familiar with and expert consumers of Connecting Colorado, the statewide job matching and client reporting system supported through the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. The Alliance is in a particularly strategic position to utilize current data collection processes through Connecting Colorado to support the retrieval of collective data and potential outcomes for the CW STEP program on the participants and potentially employer sites. Employment information, job retention and earnings data and client demographics is all available through Connecting Colorado. D. DEMONSTRATED EXPERIENCE AND CAPABILITIES 1. Describe how your company will manage this project: It is agreed that the Larimer County Workforce Center will act as a fiscal agent for the Front Range STEP Alliance. On the Alliance's behalf, LCWC will receive and account for the grant and will distribute finds as approved through the award and directed through agreements with the Alliance partners. It is agreed that each partner within the Alliance will be responsible for program implementation, service delivery as employer of record, and monitoring for adherence to grant/program requirements for their specific region and for successfully meeting the expectations outlined in the grant for their workforce development region. To ensure that program expectations are met, CDHS will negotiate grant expectations and/or outcomes with each individual workforce development region. The Larimer County Workforce Center is not responsible for insuring compliance, monitoring, and/or program outcomes for any Page 20 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance of the individual regions. However, a Front Range STEP Alliance Implementation Team will be developed to insure the expeditious and successful roll -out of the CW STEP program. After initial implementation is underway, the Implementation Team will serve as the infrastructure for the learning community so that continuous quality improvement is supported. The Implementation Team will meet regularly at initial development and then will meet at least quarterly throughout the term of the grant. The Implementation Team will discuss successes and challenges with implementing the grant, processes related to coding, data collection, and reporting in order to classify and aggregate data at the end of the contract year, development of the employer satisfaction survey, outcome achievements, and other aspects of grant monitoring. It is possible that some Implementation Team meetings could serve as venues for CDHS staff to meet with the Alliance partners and discuss/review grant issues and/or progress. Monitoring and supporting the CW STEP program will be fully integrated into the ongoing operations of each partner within the Front Range STEP Alliance. The Front Range STEP Alliance Implementation Team will include the following staff (tenure with the respective workforce development region noted on right): Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Valorie A. Bailey: Program Supervisor, Colorado Works! Program (30 years with the agency) Suzanne Miller: Business Services and Economic Development Engagement Manager (2 years with the agency; 12 years of workforce development experience) Bachelor of Arts Workforce Boulder County Sara Miller: Special Programs Coordinator (9 years of workforce development experience) Master of Arts, Human Services Nora Saenz: Program Manager (5 years of workforce development experience) Bachelor of Arts, Political Science Jefferson County Human Services Michelle Foley: Program Manager (4 years with Jefferson County) Bachelor of Arts, Business Communications Page 21 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance Dani Crane: Program Manager (32 years with Jefferson County; 8 years in current position) Master of Science, Family Environment Bachelor of Science, Psychology and Family Environment Larimer County Workforce Center: Adam Crowe: Business Services Manager (13 years with Larimer County) Master of Education, Pedagogy Bachelor of Arts, History Dena Jardine: Associate Director (27 years with Larimer County) Master of Arts, Interpersonal Communication with emphasis in intercultural communication Bachelor of Arts, Interpersonal Communication Pikes Peak Workforce Center: Debbie Shackleford: Program Manager (2.5 years tenure with Pikes Peak) Bachelors of Arts, Organizational Communications Audrey J. Szychulski: Grants & Systems Analyst (1 year tenure with Pikes Peak) Master in Arts Administration with a concentration in Fundraising Bachelor of Music, in Education and Cello Employment Services of Weld County: Laurie Speck: Colorado Works and Employment First Program Manager (19 years tenure; 1 year in current position) Bachelor of Sociology Lora Lawrence, Business Services Manager (3 years tenure) Bachelor of Science, Business Administration (double major in Management/Human Resources) Resumes outlining the credentials, experience, and educational backgrounds of the Front Range STEP Alliance Implementation Team are available upon request. In total, the Implementation Team has 120+ years of experience with employment -related program development, implementation, and evaluation. The Front Range STEP Alliance will make key program personnel available through the life of the grantor as long personnel remain in the offeror's employ. In the event that any key personnel are no longer able to support the essential functions of the CW STEP grant, then other qualified staff will be assigned to complete the terms of the grant and the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) will be notified of the transition. Experience Operating Similar Employment Programs: Partners within the Front Range STEP Alliance have extensive experience administering a wide range of employment and training Page 22 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance programs with a specialization in federal and state employment -related training programs. Each partner is the local provider of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs and many Alliance partners operate the employment -focused sections of the Colorado Works (i.e., TANF) and Employment First (i.e., SNAP E&T) programs in collaboration with their local department of human/social services. Each partner has extensive experience working with the business community providing a variety of business -related services. Year-round and summer youth services, veterans training programs, and building successful partnerships with a variety of community agencies are cornerstones of the Front Range STEP Alliance. Extensive experience in identifying and recruiting eligible applicants, employment -related service provision for job seekers and employers (including subsidized employment opportunities), reporting of services, and meeting federal, state, and/or local performance outcomes are inherent in every program within the Front Range STEP Alliance. E. COST PROPOSAL (Refer to Attachment F) F. ORGANIZATIONAL CHART Since the Larimer County Workforce Center is serving as the Fiscal agent for the Front Range STEP Alliance, the organizational chart for the Larimer County Workforce Center is presented (Attachment T). A map of Colorado that illustrates the geographic region of the Front Range STEP Alliance is also included (Attachment U). Key personnel assigned to the project, and a brief outline of their experience, is addressed in the Demonstrated Experience and Capabilities section. G. DELIVERY SCHEDULE The schedule of work to be performed includes the following: • Upon notification of proposal selection, contract negotiations to occur between CDHS and each Alliance partner (Estimated/week of November 27, 2017) • Implementation Team to convene inaugural meeting (December 2017); ongoing meetings as needed but, at a minimum, on a quarterly basis Page 23 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance • Communication and referral strategies will developed between Front Range STEP Alliance partners and local departments of human/social services departments and associated community partners (December 2017 and ongoing) • Pending completed contract negotiations, outreach and recruitment for interested, eligible, and appropriate CW S I EP applicants to commence (January 2018 and ongoing) • Coding structures and reporting requirements clarified and operational (January 2018) • Employer worksites identified for CW STEP participants (January 2018 and ongoing) • Employer interviewing, selection, and placement process for CW STEP participants (January 2018 and ongoing). • The schedule of work will be modified and adapted as the CW STEP program is developed and implemented Delivery dates of required reports: • April 30, 2018 • July 31, 2018 • October 31, 2018 • January 31, 2019 • April 30, 2019 • July 31, 2019 • September 30, 2018 over the 18 -month grant period. January — March 2018 April — June 2018 July — September 2018 October — December 2018 January — March 2019 April — June 2019 90 -Day Final Report H. ADDITIONAL DATA: ATTACHMENTS & LETTERS OF SUPPORT A: Local Human/Social Services Letter of Support B: CDLE Letter of Support & Verification of Good Standing Status C: Top Industries by Employment Concentrations D: Top Industries Projected to Add Jobs Through 2022 E: List of Potential CW STEP Occupations F: Front Range STEP Alliance Budget/Cost Proposal G: Risk Assessment: SWOT Analysis H. Mathematica Policy Research Letter of Support I. Arapahoe County Department of Human Services Letter of Support J. Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Development Board Letter of Support Page 24 of 25 Front Range STEP Alliance K. Larimer County Workforce Development Board Letter of Support L. Greater Metro Denver Healthcare Partnership Letter of Support M. Northern Colorado Manufacturing Sector Partnership Letter of Support N. Larimer County Economic Development Letter of Support O. Upstate Colorado Economic Development Letter of Support P. Larimer Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Letter of Support Q. Red Rocks Community College Letter of Support (Jefferson County —Triad Early Childhood Council) Letter of Support R. Boulder County Head Start Letter of Support S. Cablenet Wiring Products, Inc. (Arapahoe/Douglas Works!) Letter of Support T. Larimer County Organizational Chart U. Map of Geographical Span for Front Range STEP Alliance Page 25 of 25 ATTACHMENT A October 26, 2017 Dena R. Jardine, Associate Director Larimer County Workforce Center 200 West Oak, Suite 5000 P.O. Box 2367 Fort Collins, CO 80522-2367 Dear Ms. Jardine: We are pleased to express our strong support for the application being submitted by the Front Range STEP Alliance. The subsidized employment opportunities, coupled with the two - generation (2Gen) approach, provided by the counties in this partnership will benefit our families and communities. Our Human Services departments are in the unique position to provide the full range of necessary 2Gen services with the flexibility and creativity required to meet families where they are. The following evidence based, time tested services are already in place: • Creating a talent pipeline through education, training and upskilling for critical occupations, supporting our local employers • Access and support to manage food, cash and medical benefits, as well as child support, contributing to healthy families • Individualized, family -centered services and plans helping families learn and grow safely together • Accessibility and availability of high quality child care, in partnership with Head Start and early childhood councils We are all committed to seeing families thrive and can build on and learn from each other's strengths, even as specific services and service delivery may differ within each of our counties. Operating as a collaborative offers several benefits - Matching the realities of our customers' lives by recognizing that families may work, use child care providers and access benefits and services across county lines. Operating as a such a large collaborative helps our families, and employers, by streamlining services, information and efforts —resulting in increased customer service and decreased frustration. It's recognized that our programs (Workforce, Colorado Works and CCAP), collaborate closely across counties. Also recognized is a family oriented, person centered coordination within the counties. Through this alliance, we will be able to strengthen the internal and cross- county collaboration exponentially. We believe the leadership and systems are in place to succossfully accomplish the activities described in this applloatlon. Through the submission eta collaborative application, we arc our expressing our commitment to build a more generative proudly:concentrated on the proven success of subsidized employment and family centered serviucs bolstered by the 2CIen approach. Sincerely m A. Johnson Executive Dheolor Jefferson County Department ofRuman Services if • Krgw, MA,1.PC lxeuudvu Director Et Paso County Department of Human Services Cheryl Ter, Director Arapahoe County Department of Human Services (::. / (/ 4647 Prank Alexander / Executive Director Boulder County Housing and Human Services LYa �:t'/' Laura Wniker Director Latimer Co Department of Human Services hn A. Qnulhe MS W LCSW Director Tailor County Department of Human Services DaMolcelky. Director Douglas County Department of Human Services Orieg for Weld County Department of Human Services ATTACHMENT B COLORADO Department of Labor and Employment 27 October 2017 Colorado Department of Human Services Office of Economic Security Employment and Benefits Division 1575 Sherman Street Denver, CO 80203 To Whom It May Concern: IDivision of Employment and Training 633 17th Street, Suite 700 Denver, CO 80202-3660 I am pleased to support the creation of the Front Range STEP Alliance and their application to the Colorado Subsidized Training and Employment Program. The alliance consists of six (6) local workforce areas -- Workforce Boulder County, Employment Services of Weld County, Larimer County Workforce, Jefferson County Workforce, Arapahoe/Douglas Works!, and Pikes Peak Workforce - each of whom is in good standing with the Department of Labor and Employment. The Front Range STEP Alliance's proposal uses a regional approach to address the needs of TANF families working towards economic self-sufficiency, and will help leverage and maximize resources. The local areas have an established history of successfully working together on regional projects, and developing collaborative relationships with their respective county human services partners and other local agencies. Please feel to contact me if you have any questions or require additional information. Respectfully, William Dowling Director, Division of Employment and Training 633 17th Street, Suite 700, Denver, CO 80202-3660 P 303-318-8000 www.colorado.gov/cdle LETTER TO: Dena Jardine FROM: Deborah Reed DATE: October 25, 2017 PAGE: 2 project. Inasmuch as some aspects of the work will not be susceptible to exact specification, the following protocol will be incorporated into the contract: In the event that substantive issues are encountered, or problems occur affecting schedules or milestone events that could be expected to affect cost or performance, and these problems or issues are neither caused by Mathematica, nor are they within the reasonable scope of its control, Mathematica shall be obligated to provide timely notice concerning the nature of the problem and the potential impact upon the cost or performance. Thereafter, the parties shall be obligated to evaluate alternative resolutions in a timely manner and agree upon a course of action that delivers the overall goals and objectives of the project within the resources available. We look forward to partnering with the Larimer County Workforce Center on this important initiative. If you have any questions regarding our services, please email rtspcenter@mathematica mpr.cnm, or if you need to speak to someone directly, call Pamela Tapscott, Mathematica's vice president of contract operations, at (202) 484-3294. Sincerely, ,hi-( ATTACHMENT C FRONT RANGE STEP ALLIANCE Top 20 Industries by Employment Concentration Relative to National Average (Location Quotient) for Tnx-County Workforce Development Area Colorado 2017 J0IS • 2018 Jobs 212299 336414 327110 332431 312120 339112 524128 486210 713210 327213 326130 511140 333996 3:33997 213114 532291 333244 334210 561990 721120. All Other Metal Ore Mining Quitted Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing Pottery, Ceramics, and Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing Metal Can Manufacturing Breweries Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing Other Direct Insurance (except Life, Health, and Medical) Carriers Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas. Casinos (except Casino Hotels) Glass Container Manufacturing Laminated Plastics Plate, Sheet (except Packaging), and Shape Manufacturing Directory and Mailing List Publishers Fluid Power Pump and Motor Manufacturing Scale and Balance Manufacturing Support Activities for Metal Mining Home Health Equipment Rental Printing Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing TI lephone:: Apparatus Manufacturing All Other Support Services Casino Hotels Totals 347 5,624 908 672 1,703 2,883 357 638 1,510 227 325 371. 277 62 49 495 92 196 2,078 2,522 21,336 326 5,678 907 655 1,644 2,963 387 669 1,397 221 0l.9• 20120 2021 Jobs • )0b..- Jobs 20?? Jobs Chang Projected Animal• Grots'Ih Cite' 2016 Luca lion Quotient 201:6 lji t l!Co i lei! 13usincss 308 5,725 906 641 1,592 3,032 412 695 1,301 215 345 362 404 433 280 282 63 64 49 49 510 522. 94 95 211 223 2,183 2,275 2,654 2,770 21,639 21,903 292 5,767 904 628 1,545 3,094. 434: 718 1,217 210 376 460 284 64 49 532 96 234 2,357 2,875 22,138 Source: EMS! 20173 QCEI-I , Non-QCEW curd Self Einployecl-Class of Worker SAMPLE 283 5,796 901 621. 1,513 3,135 447 729 1,168 205 383 478 285 64 50! 537 96 240 2,412 2,949 22,293 269 5,832 899 611 1,469 3,189 466 748 1,095, 200 395 502 287 65 50 546 96: 249. 2,485, 3,044 22,498 (77) 208 (9) (234). 306 108 110 (414) (27) 70 132. 10 2' 1 5.1 4 54 406 522 1,162, (4.4%) 0.7%. (0.2%) (1.8% (2.7%) 2.1% 6.1% 3.4% (5.5%) (24%) 4.3% 7.1% 0.7% 0.7% 0.4% 2.1%, 0.9% 5.5%, 3.9% 4.1%. 1.1% 73.13 58.12 28.18 20.52 17.53 1.3.52 12.82 12.13 11.32 9A4 9.27 8.80 8.65 8.64 8.58 7.05 7.03 5.68 5.58 5.24: WEI MN I 3 2 16 7 9 5 17 1 1 4 2 1 6 13. 1 2 116 5.. 216 The Self4Sufficiency $tdrtdar d for Jefferson County, CO 2015 FRONT RANGE STEP ALLIANCE Self -Sufficiency Standard for El Paso and Jefferson County The Self -Sufficiency Standard for El Paso County, CO 2015 MONTHLY COSTS Housing Child Care Food Transportation Health Care Miscellaneous Taxes Earned Income Tax Credit (-) Child Care Tax Credit (•) Child Tax Credit (-) MONTHLY ANNUAL EMERGENCY SAVINGS (Monthly Contribution) $659 $0 $255 $262 $139 $132 $285 $856 $848 $387 $270 $389 $275 $662 ($53) $856 $1,736 $508 $270 $400 $377 $953 $0 (5100) ($167) Adult + Preschooler Schoat•age $856 $1,303 $583 $270 $410 $342 $809 ($100) ($167) Adult t School -age Teenager $856 $456 $675 $270 $440 $270 $485 ($112) ($58) ($167) $17.70 $4,308 ; $3.,115 $51,699 $37,381 w' ( n ewMVNx. $102 $73 $1,261 $2,191 $687 $270 $421 $483 $1,314 $0 ($100) ($250) $35467 $6,278 $75,330 2 Adults + Preschooler School -age $856 $1,303 $ 800 $515 $461 $394 $840 2 Adults + Infant + Preschooler $856 51,736 $728 $515 $450 $428 $1,000 $15.47 per adult $5,446 $65,350 Hvu:lri , Child Care Fooc irarestoatt tIcsr, Health Care Mtscetlare&c,i. s TeAro Earned income In Credit (.) Child Care Tex Credit (-) Child Tax Credit N) HOURLY LY MONTHLY ,x,11 t 1 UAL thlI RGE{1CY 5AY111G5 (Monthly Contrmuti0n) i A (irti t : 4 Iseult Prexhtar $(112 :0 5272 $182 51.13 ;161 $414 $0 $0 $0 $2,185 $24,214 5,"4.,+9 51.1^1 $96o $413 $291 $403 $325 $580 50 ($50) ($83) S12.41 x24.54 $33.74 $4,319 $51,#28 S$8 Adult + Infant Pre 30100101 $1,181 $1,047 $542 $21 $-11.1 $4.17 51.284 Sc' (1C0) (51671 $5,939 $71,263 $161 Adult Prat ch€ict,r Schect•age $1,181 51,478 5623 $241 $425 5400 51,075 SO !$8101 1S1571 $29.58 $1,181 $51 $721 5291 $-155 ;317 57401 $0 I $501 ($167) S1,7)2 $2,565 734 $4335,n $57S t ,9 4 4 so ($100) ($250) $22.76 $45.14 S5,206 $•it0C5 w_ 562;468 $4&,012 • $130 ..:•w.wYtiwarrav: rro.n.wn,a..ww.'ar rM.ti,rfs rw'ewm.'wiNa44WJAKmJmA4li.Ya]Y!A/HwWaeuJAAwlm(w:awq+uar lk'N`M•4++.Yv:W 4,Nlh.'�'aYtir�s+4,MxYr`aW:•M0.:wuvnvfu•{V'atev:?y.Nf.w'L•uxa[w:vun•�aw^wwt%AKi9W.A• _GWx'B,iNW6wiiA': $88 2,92.7 $95,125 V 2x74 $1,161 52,047 5778 $552 $-r6-4 $502 $1,32' oti 1$1001 (5 1671 S111,69 ;1,181 51,478 5855 $552 $-175 a -1 •1 $1,123 $O 1$100) ($1671 516462 per adult per adult $6,580 $5,851 $78152 .. a'c!01*.i.VWMAYW41.401,40.40.VANtWVWk!bO.aaIa4MYWeeXt ••n,,.,,,'CCiIAWau, $70,216 $51 • M.� ATTACHMENT D FRONT RANGE STEP ALLIANCE Top 20 Industries Projected to Add the Most Jobs through 2022, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties NA1CS 903611 722513 622110 621610 561320 621111 903999 722511 452910 238210 551114 541S11 541613 541512 624120 541330 621491 Description Elementary and Secondary Schools (Local Government) Limited -Service Restaurants General Medical and Surgical Hospitals Home Flealth Care Services Temporary Help Services Offices of Physicians (except. Mental Health Specialists) Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals Full -Service Restaurants Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors Corporate, Subsidiary, and Regional Managing Offices Custom. Computer Programming Services Marketing Consulting Services Computer Systems Design Services Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities Engineering Services LIMO Medical Centers 523120 Securities Brokerage $61422 Telemarketing Bureaus and Other Contact Centers 441110 New Car Dealers Totals xAxbat Source:20.17.3 QCEP', Non-QCE 14" and Self-Errr7.iloyed Class of Worker 2017 Jobs SAMPLE 27,094 14,825 9,488 4,520 7,796 8,220] 14,881 17,272 6,069 5,111 9,962 2018 .lobs 27,872 28,588 15,447 15,985 10,050 10,547 4,971 5,383 8,188 8,532 8,5741 8,898 15,223 17,650 6,368 5,394 10,278 6,658 6,945 3,313 3,594 6,832 7,102: 5,432 5,740 11,010 11,235 3,645 3,893 3,896 4,134 5,211 5,424 5,5011 5,675 15,541 17,977, 6,637 I 5,653 10,549 7,197 3,839 7,338 5,990 11,446 4,114 4,351: 5,610 5,8311 1?36I 183,755 190,005.195,686 202() Jobs 2021 Jobs 29,259. 29,796 16,460 16,755 10,996 11,305 5,767 6,063 8,842, 9,049 9,204 " 9,443 15,843 18,266 6,884 5,894 10,785 7,419 4,052 7,550 6,196 11,650 4,316 4,553 5,778 5,975 16,094 18,449 7,067 6,080 10,925 7,569 4,201. 7,688 6,281 1.1,820, 4,461 4,706 5,891 6,081 199,723 2027 Jobs 30,426 17,169 1.1,709, 6,422 9,325 9,728 16,380 18,700 7,294 6,305 11,127 7,768 4,395 7,875 6,444 12,013 4,645 4,894 6,041 6,213 S1c►bs Change 3,333 2,344 2,222 1,902 1,529 1,508 1,499 1,428 1,225 1,194 1,165 1,110 1,082 1,043 1,012 1,002 1,000 998 829 712 204,875 28,139 _._.,..._ON....x.. Projected Annual Growth R ate 2.5% 3.2% 4.7% 8.4% 3.9% 3.7% 2.0% 1.7%. 4.0% 4.7% 2.3% 3.3% 6.5% 3.1% 3.7% 1.8% 5.5% 51. % 3.2% 2.6% 3.2% 2016 Location Quotient 1.20 1.08 0.63 0.92 0.83 1.02 2016 Patrol led Business Locations 27 759 7 92 233 625 0.84 78 1.03 625 L26 24 1.61 348 1.46 481 2.23 852 3.23 341 2.14. 1,188 0.95 339 3.62 542 5.68 17 4.17 144 3.25 57 1.55 51 6,830 Y- ATTACHMENT E FRONT RANGE STEP ALLIANCE Examples of STEP -Eligible Occupations in El Paso / Teller by Typical On -The -Job Training SOC Description 2007 Jobs Annual Comp -let ions C)penings (2016) Regional Median Hourly Earnings 'Typical On -the -Job -Training: A'PRENTICESI-IlP I pica) Entry Level LJncalion 47-2221 Structural Iron and Steel Workers 49-9044 Millwrights 47-2L I Electricians 47-2132 Insulation Workers, Mechanical 47-2121 Glaziers 47-2152 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters 47-2171 Reinforcing Iron and Reber Workers 47-2021 BricicmasonS and Blockmasons 106 29 1,403 44. 145 1,242 33 62 14 4 154 5 16 144 5 19 0 $26.56 0 $25.65 0 $25.51 0 $20.34 0 $19.54 0 $19.38 0 $17.76 $17.55 H.S. diploma or equivalent H.S. diploma or equivalent H.S. diploma or equivalent H.S. diploma or equivalent H.S. diploma or equivalent H.S. diploma or equivalent H.S. diploma or equivalent H.S. diploma or equivalent Typical On -the- fining: LONG TERM ON-THE-JOB TRAINING 51-8012 Power Distributors and Dispatchers "-1031 Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators 53-8092 Gas Plant Operators 49-9051 Electrical Power -Line Installers and Repairers 5r -s013 Power Plant Operators 49-2094 Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment 49-3043 51-4012 Rail Car Repairers Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Tool 23 548 34 264 53 187 16 16 2 57 3 28 5 17 2 2 0 $41.06 0 $34.79 0 $31.54 0 $31.32 0 $30.63 Typical On -the -Job- l-rainirg: MODKRATE TERN! ON -THE -J 13-1032 ,Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage 49.9012 Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door 49-2022 Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers 47-4011 Construction and Building Inspectors 47-5041 Continuous Mining Machine Operators 47-5021 Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas 49-2098 Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers 43-9041 Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks 18 68 320 211 52 44 90 289 5 29 24 7 5 12 38 0 0 0 0 $28.34 $27.96 $27:09 H.S, diploma or equivalent H.S. diploma or equivalent H.S. diploma or equivalent H.S. diploma or equivalent H.S. diploma or equivalent Postsecondary nondegree award H.S. diploma or equivalent H,S. diploma or equivalent OB TRAINING; $34.80 $32.50 $31.96 $29.94 $26.97 $25.71 $25.06 $24.52 Postsecondary nondegree award H.S. diploma or equivalent Postsecondary nondegree award H.S. diploma or equivalent No formal educational credential H.S. diploma or equivalent H.S. diploma or equivalent I -I S. diploma or equivalent "Typical On-the-Joh- Tra'ning: SHORT TERM ON-THE-JOB TRAINING 43-501 I Cargo and Freight Agents 49-3023 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics 43.4131 Loan Interviewers and Clerks 43-3099 Financial Clerks, All Other 49-2097 Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers 43-41.99 Information and Record Clerks, All Other 43-9022 Word Processors and Typists 45-0199 Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other 40 1,638 290 144 121 1,285 104 509 3 183 39 15 11 150 I2 66 0 $22.47 217 $22.12 0 $21.63 0 $20.68 0 $20.35 H.S. diploma or equivalent Postsecondary nondegree award I-I.S. diploma or equivalent H.S. diploma or equivalent Postsecondary nondegree award $19.14 H.S. diploma or equivalent $18,95 H.S. diploma or equivalent $18.05 H.S. diploma or equivalent Data Source: EMS12017,3 QCEW, Non-QCEW & Self -Employed Class of Worker. Top 8 examples per category inchrdedhere, full list has more than 180 SOC codes. More it fo are Self -Sufficiency Standard Wage by Count' at http://cclponline.org/our-issues/economic-self- stfciency/colorado-self-stciency-standard/ SAMPLE ATTACHMENT F Front Range STEP Alliance Budget/Cost Proposal Key Financial Data Staff Full -Time Equivalent Participant Enrollments Average Hourly Wage Length of Internship Cost per Participant 1 40 $12-$.18 3-6 Months $11,461 1,25 55 $11-$12 4811 Hours $9,491 ATTACHMENT 1? 0.75 50 Si! 3-6 Months $9359 participant Costs Wages/Taxes Supportive Services Sub total Larimer Fiscal Agent $285,000 $5,000 $290,000 Boulder Participant Costs Personnel Costs Wages Pooled Staff Subtotal Other Costs Operating Administration $1.1.8,219 $118,219 $4flpoo Total Participant & Program Costs $400000 $101,709 $1,718 $103,427 $13,334 $41,676 $458,437 $195,750' $499750 $120,000 $18,000 $138,000 $19,000 $75,000 $522,000 $.195,000 S 195,000 ...1,5511 $45,455. } Weld $50,000 $50,000 $487,930 Add on Costs: Mathematica Policy Research proposal (subject to approval by CDHS) Total if Mathematica Contract is Approved $75A84 $2,943,606 Leveraged Resources In keeping with the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (WIOA) One Stop strategy, the subregions of the Front Range STEP Alliance (the Alliance) have experience in leveraging and braiding resources and capacity within the local workforce development system, including resources and capacity for services for individuals with barriers to employment. Under this proposal, leveraged resources will vary among the subregions and include operating and administrative costs and staff hi addition, the Alliance as part of the One -Stop Workforce System, can leverage access to technology for data collection and reporting, job search and job matching services, for participants as well as referral to WIOA and other community employment and training services and business services for linkages to employers and worksite hosts. The Alliance will also have the ability to connect and leverage the expertise of staff within the Alliance for technical assistance on internship programs. The Front Range STEP Alliance Assures: * No more than 10% of available funds will be used for administrative costs. ' None of the participating workforce development regions are in violation of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with .Disabilities other law governing the equaltreatment of employees in the workplace ° Only work experience hours, actually worked, will be paid a wage. • The employer of record, or contracted vendor, will issue paychecks and W -2s to participants, unless identified differently through agreements. Act, or any employer ATTACHMENT G FRONT RANGE STEP ALLIANCE RISK ASSESSMENT Strengths: • Established and effective business relationships. • Front Range STEP Alliance members have experience working together on other initiatives. • Extensive local partnerships to support participants and expand work -based learning opportunities within the business community. • Experienced with effective case management, data reporting, and TANF rules. Opportunities: • Expand work -based learning services to more CW STEP participants. • Align CW STEP work -based learning activities with those of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to maximize participant outcomes. • Large platform for demonstrating the value of work -based learning in supporting low-income people. • Strengthen the collaborations among Front Range STEP Alliance members. • TANF participants enter living wage, permanent employment. Weaknesses: • Supporting individuals with significant barriers to employment (mental illness, substance abuse, multiple recent felonies) o Mitigation: Staff training on serving these participants and collaboration with local organizations who serve them; sharing best practices. • Inconsistent funding to support work -based learning for low-income individuals. Leads to inconsistent availability of services and unreliable outcomes. o Mitigation: Braid local work -based learning funds, advocate for more consistent work -based learning funds, and promote the value of work -based learning. • Many businesses do not understand the value of work -based learning and/or how to access work -based learning services o Mitigation: Work with Business Services Teams and business serving organizations to promote work -based learning, statewide ad campaign. Threats: • Low unemployment and availability of entry-level employment for low skilled/experiences individuals will cause participants to bypass work -based learning and take a perpetually low wage entry —level positions. o Mitigation: Train CW and internship coordinators on how to tie work -based learning to more lucrative career pathways. • Participants with significant barriers to employment will remain unemployed after work - based learning intervention. o Mitigation: Staff training on serving these participants and collaboration with local organizations who serve them. • Not all Alliance members may perform at the same level. o Establish learning community and provide technical assistance from Front Range STEP Alliance members. ATTACHMENT H MATHEMATICA Policy Research Deborah Reed Senior Vice President Dena Jardine Associate Director Larimer County Workforce Center 200 West Oak, Suite 5000 Fort Collins, CO 80522-2367 1100 1st Street, NE, 12th Floor Washington, DC 20002-4221 Telephone (202) 484-9220 Fax (202) 863-1763 www.inathentatica-mpr.com (501) 830-3702 October 25, 2017 RE: Colorado Works Subsidized Training and Employment Program (STEP) — Technical Assistance to the Larimer County Workforce Center Dear Ms. Jardine: Mathematica Policy Research is pleased to submit this proposal to the Larimer County Workforce Center in support of your agency's application to the Colorado Department of Human Services for a grant to implement the Colorado Works Subsidized Training and Employment Program (STEP). Building on our prior work with the Larimer County Workforce Center, this joint initiative will focus on embedding a goal achievement coaching model within subsidized work - based learning opportunities in collaboration with local employers. Our approach to this initiative will begin with an orientation meeting to agree on a vision among the participating counties for implementing the coaching model and partnering with local employers. We will subsequently convene relevant stakeholders, including employers, to solidify partnerships and obtain collective agreement regarding the program's approach moving forward. Our team will conduct onsite trainings for counties and employer personnel on the coaching approach. The initial phase of rollout will be followed by a "road test" —an analytic piloting process to gather formative feedback about the implementation of the coaching model and make improvements. Ms. Marykate Zukiewicz, a Colorado -based researcher with experience helping Temporary Assistance for Needy Families programs implement coaching approaches, will lead the day-to-day work of this project. Dr. Michelle Derr and Mr. Jonathan McCay will serve as advisors to the project team, given their ongoing work with the workforce center and knowledge of the coaching model. We assume a period of performance beginning January 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. We understand that the contract resulting from this proposal will be limited to the funds obligated. However, we also recognize the very nature of the proposed project requires Mathematica to estimate the levels of effort required to achieve particular components of the An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer LETTER TO: Dena Jardine FROM: Deborah Reed DATE: October 25, 2017 PAGE: 2 project. Inasmuch as some aspects of the work will not be susceptible to exact specification, the following protocol will be incorporated into the contract: In the event that substantive issues are encountered, or problems occur affecting schedules or milestone events that could be expected to affect cost or performance, and these problems or issues are neither caused by Mathematica, nor are they within the reasonable scope of its control, Mathematica shall be obligated to provide timely notice concerning the nature of the problem and the potential impact upon the cost or performance. Thereafter, the parties shall be obligated to evaluate alternative resolutions in a timely manner and agree upon a course of action that delivers the overall goals and objectives of the project within the resources available. We look forward to partnering with the Larimer County Workforce Center on this important initiative. If you have any questions regarding our services, please email rfpcenter@mathernatica- mpr.com, or if you need to speak to someone directly, call Pamela Tapscott, Mathematica's vice president of contract operations, at (202) 484-3294. Sincerely, ATTACHMENT I Arapahoe County _ Department of Human Services Colorado's First Community Support Services October 19, 2017 14980 East Alameda Drive, Suite 007 Aurora, Colorado 80012 Phone: 303-636-1130 FAX: 303-636-1426 TDD: 303-636-1522 www.co.nrapahoc.co.us humanserviceseco.arapahoe.co.us CHERYL TERNES Director Colorado Works Subsidized Training & Employment Program (CW STEP) Subject: Letter of Support On behalf of Arapahoe/Douglas Works, we are pleased to offer our support and commitment to the success of the CW STEP grant. We are committed to working collaboratively with industry, workforce development and other local government entitles, economic development, and education to ensure that our strategic goals around workforce development align with initiatives such as the CW STEP grant. We believe our support and commitment of this grant will ensure economic vitality in the region. As a partner, we are dedicated to supporting the program by leveraging resources, supporting the goals of the grant and offering expertise and guidance to help ensure the success of the program. We look forward to working with all our partners to increase our region's economic competitiveness and provide career opportunities In growing Industries that can support economic self-sufficiency for our community. Respectfully yours, Cheryl Ternes, Director Arapahoe County Department of Human Services MISSION Enhancing your quality of life through exceptional delivery of services and efficient use of public funds. ATTACHMENT J Arapahoe/Douglas WORKFORCE BOARD COLORADO October 19, 2017 Colorado Works Subsidized Training & Employment Program (CW STEP) Subject: Letter of Support On behalf of the Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Workforce Development Board, we are pleased to offer our support and commitment to the success of the CW STEP grant. We are committed to working collaboratively with industry, workforce development and other local government entities, economic development, and education to ensure that our strategic goals around workforce development align with initiatives such as the CW STEP grant. We believe our support and commitment of this grant will ensure economic vitality in the region. As a partner, we are dedicated to supporting the program by leveraging resources, supporting the goals of the grant and offering expertise and guidance to help ensure the success of the program. We look forward to working with all our partners to increase our region's economic competitiveness and provide career opportunities in growing industries that can support economic self-sufficiency for our community. Respectfully yours, Andrew Bercich, Solutions & Sales Executive at IBM Chair, Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Development Board Vice Chair, National Association of Workforce Boards Arapahoe/Douglas Works! • www.adworks.org • 303.636.1 160 A proud partner of the ameriCanjobcenter network get connected d ( Stay connected ATTACHMENT K October 27, 2017 Colorado Works Subsidized Training 8s Employment Program (CW STEP) Attention Roman Hernandez Colorado Department of Human Services North/Central Procurement Office 1575 Sherman Street, 6th Floor Denver, CO 80203 Subject: Letter of Support for the Front Range STEP Alliance To Whom It May Concern: On behalf of the Larimer County Workforce Development Board, we are pleased to offer our support and commitment to the success of the CW STEP grant. We are committed to working collaboratively with industry, workforce development and other local government entities, economic development, and education to ensure that our strategic goals around workforce development align with initiatives such as the CW STEP grant. We believe our support and commitment of this grant will ensure economic vitality in the region. As a partner, we are dedicated to supporting the program by leveraging resources, supporting the goals of the grant and offering expertise and guidance to help ensure the success of the program. We look forward to working with all of our partners to increase economic competitiveness and provide career opportunities in growing industries in our region that can support economic self-sufficiency for our community. Eric Lea, Vice-President/Branch Manager Robert Half Co -Chair Larimer County Workforce Development Board www.Iarimerworkforce.org 200 W, Oak Street, Suite 5000 Fort Collins, CO 80521 (970) 498-6600 418 East 4th Street Loveland, CO 80537 (970) 619-4650 1601 Erode Ave. Estes Park, CO 80517 wow (970) 577-2152 +.._.-R§ .. .. ,-t ... dp -'lCb!i •.e I:•r. i. A'--;: 'IG:: .t, :,.bgl.11 ••t:If. J.:r...]s •,rr .. ..... itta ?.1`i: �:' .c- s . •..• nj11,ai i4f14,-; ::r-,, t. l roa ATTACHMENT L GMDHP Greater Metro Denver V Healthcare Partnership October 19, 2017 Colorado Works Subsidized Training & Employment Program (CW STEP) Subject: Letter of Support On behalf of the Greater Metro Denver Healthcare Partnership (GMDHP), we are pleased to offer our support and commitment to the success of the CW STEP grant. GMDHP partners have to date created several apprenticeship programs for entry level positions in the healthcare sector that would be a fit for CW STEP participants. There are many opportunities for entry into the healthcare sector that provide a living wage, good benefits, and access to career pathways for advancement and success. GMDHP partners are committed to working collaboratively with industry, workforce development and other local government entities, economic development, and education to ensure that our strategic goals around workforce development in the healthcare sector align with initiatives such as the CW STEP grant. We look forward to working with all our partners to increase our region's economic competitiveness and provide career opportunities in the healthcare sector. Respectfully yours, Mary Riebe, Community & Academic Relations Consultant at Kaiser Permanente Chair, Greater Metro Denver Healthcare Partnership Immediate Past Chair, Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Development Board GMDHP 14305 E. Alameda Ave. #300, Aurora, CO 80012 • 720.471.6841 ATTACHMENT M October 30, 2017 Colorado Works Subsidized Training & Employment Program (CW STEP) Subject: Letter of Support On behalf of the Northern Colorado Manufacturing Partnership, we are pleased to offer our support of the CW STEP grant. The sector partnership model gives us a framework to work collaboratively with our industry peers, workforce and economic development partners and education institutions to improve the manufacturing sector in Northern Colorado. One of our strategic goals is to support career exposure, curriculum development and work based learning opportunities that build the labor pool for employment in the manufacturing sector. We believe this aligns with the CW STEP grant initiatives. We believe our support for this grant will benefit our regional manufacturing community and the workforce of Northern Colorado. As a supporter, we are willing to offer industry insight, expertise and guidance to help ensure the success of the program. We look forward to working with all our partners to increase our region's economic competitiveness and provide career opportunities in the manufacturing sector that can support economic self-sufficiency for members of our community. Respectfully yours, Tony Wampler, Chair of the Board Northern Colorado Manufacturing Sector Partnership ATTACHMENT N IARIMER COUNTY AMIN= October 30, 2017 Colorado Works Subsidized Training & Employment Program (CW STEP) Subject: Letter of Support It is my pleasure to offer the support of the Larimer County Economic Development Department for the Larimer County Workforce Center's application for the CW STEP Grant. Our two departments work hand -in -glove on many initiatives and programs that benefit the regional workforce and the overall economy. An area in which we have been very successful is in connecting regional businesses to the resources at the workforce center that support work based learning. As firms continue to face challenges finding employees in our current labor market, i.e. sub 2.0% unemployment, access to an additional labor pool is extremely important. Conversely, as individuals and families strive for self-sufficiency and upward mobility, access to learning, training and working opportunities in paramount. The Economic Development Department is committed to working collaboratively with the Larimer County Workforce Center to provide quality services to firms in Larimer County. One of the services businesses find most beneficial is work -based learning, specifically internships. The majority of the workforce center's internship host sites are small businesses because the internship program offers access to candidates they can mentor, train, and shape into the workforce they need for their organizations. A well trained workforce is crucial to the competitiveness of local businesses and region overall. It is our understanding that the CW STEP program will expand the amount of funding available for valuable internship opportunities in Larimer County and welcome the chance to see more businesses benefit from this activity. Thank you in advance for your favorable consideration of the Larimer County Workforce Center's application for the CW STEP grant application. Sincerely, Jacob Castillo, Director Larimer County Economic Development Department ATTACHMENT O UPSTATECOLORADO ECONOMIC (DEVELOPMENT November 1, 2017 Katie Griego Director Division of Employment and Benefits Colorado Department of Human Services 1575 Sherman St Denver, CO 80203 Dear Director Griego, 822 Seventh Street, Suite 550 Greeley, CO 80631 Street, Suite 550 970.356.4565 phone www.upstatecolorado.org We are writing to you today in support of the The Larimer County Workforce Center (LCWC) submission, on behalf of the Front Range STEP Alliance to access addition funding support to assist and augment the necessary work that serves the Colorado Works/TANF populations. Focused on the creation and retention of jobs, Upstate Colorado Economic Development is a public/private non-profit economic development corporation that provides services to all of Weld County and works with our regional partners in Northern Colorado communities. Our work focuses on supporting primary employers in the retail, service, and professional sectors. Our goal is to help these employers bring new equity into the local economy. Upstate Colorado provides service to existing and expanding primary employers, and to those who are considering a Weld County location for their business. The Front Range STEP Alliance includes a regional partnership in several workforce development regions. All of the centers including Larimer County Workforce Center and Employment Services of Weld County service various populations and we are hopeful that this potential allocation can be used to further address the problems and implement the tangible solutions currently being addressed, particularly in our region of Northern Colorado. As our regional partners such as LCWC and Employment Services of Weld County works to address the tremendous issue of workforce availability and skills alignment it is more critical than ever to allocate resources to programs that enhance participant recruitment, comprehensive assessment, employer recruitment, case management and job coaching, training and supportive services. This along with the ability to provide job placement and wage reimbursement to selected CW STEP participants is an important and necessary element in fostering the employment ecosystem hear in Northern Colorado. Additional support for this program will allow us to support are unique employers In improving their hiring capacity and we strongly support this application for approval. Regards Richard C. Werner President & CEO Upstate Colorado Economic Development Corporation Supporting Job Opportunities in Greeley and Weld County Communities ATTACHMENT P LARIMER Small :tininess Development Center October 30th, 2017 Colorado Works Subsidized Training & Employment Program (CW STEP) Subject: Letter of Support On behalf of the Larimer Small Business Development Center, we are pleased to offer our support to the Larimer County Workforce Center's (LCWC) application for the CW STEP grant. We are committed to working collaboratively with the Larimer County Workforce Center (LCWC) to provide quality services to small businesses in Larimer County. One of the LCWC services small businesses find most beneficial is work -based learning, specifically internships. The majority of the LCWC's internship host sites are small businesses because the internship program offers access to candidates they can mentor, train, and shape into the workforce they need for their organizations. A well trained workforce is crucial to the growth of small businesses. As a partner of the LCWC we are committed to working collaboratively to connect small businesses with the services they need to thrive. As a part of this collaboration we refer businesses to LCWC internship program. We also understand that the CW STEP program will expand the amount of funding available for internships in Larimer County and welcome the opportunity to see more small businesses benefit. We look forward to a continued partnership with the LCWC and support their application for the CW STEP grant. Feel free to contact me with any questions, or to discuss further. Sincerely, Mike O'Connell Director Larimer Small Business Development Center 970-215-2300 mike@larimersbdc.org ATTACHMENT Q REDROCKS COMMUNITY COLLEGE CHILD CARE INNOVATIONS October 26, 2017 Dena R. Jardine, Associate Director Larimer County Workforce Center 200 West Oak, Suite 5000 P.O. Box 2367 Fort Collins, CO 80522-2367 Dear Ms. Jardine: I want to express our strong support for the application being submitted by the Front Range STEP Alliance. The subsidized employment opportunities, coupled with the two -generation (2Gen) approach, will help many families progress toward economic security and family well-being. Our agency contracts with Colorado Department of Human Services for the provision of Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) services for eight counties, licensing for six counties, and Early Childhood Council services for three counties. In every aspect of our work, we have the goal of increasing access, quality, and equity of early childhood services, with the understanding that the most successful approaches encompass services for families as well as their children. We are especially proud of our long-standing, collaborative relationship with Jefferson County Human Services. We have always had a Jefferson County Human Services representative on our Council, and have partnered to: • Help customers with finding child care, especially for unique and immediate placement needs. • Collaborate with Human Services in supporting 2 gen efforts. • Build partnerships with providers and community agencies • Strengthen relationships with providers to increase accessibility for families receiving CCCAP • Advise on legislative/regulatory changes, balancing the needs of providers, quality of care, accessibility and sustainability of CCAP benefits. • Collaborate to improve the quality of care for infants and toddlers • Collaborate to approve and establish the new tiered reimbursement rate structure. Through this letter, we acknowledge our commitment to continue our genuine partnership to increase the accessibility of high quality child care for our families. In addition, we will work to help provide subsidized work experience opportunities during the next 18 months. Sincerely, Patricia Bolton, Director Executive Director, Triad Early Childhood Council 1'3300 WEST SIXTH AVENUE, Box 22B • LAKEWOOD, CO 80228-1255 ATTACHMENT R Generating a Lifetime. of Opportunitic‘ Boulder County Head Start 1135 Cimarron Dr. Lafayette, CO 80026 303-441-3980 October 19, 2017 Dena R. Jardine, Associate Director Larimer County Workforce Center 200 West Oak, Suite 5000 P.O. Box 2367 Fort Collins, CO 80522-2367 Dear Ms. Jardine, Boulder County Head 'tart Boulder County Head Start (BCHS) supports the Front Range Step Alliance, the regional partnership that will provide Colorado Works jobseekers with a full array of opportunities and supports to prepare for and attain subsidized work opportunities and ultimately connect to livable wage employment. We believe that connecting low-income families with work -based learning opportunities is an important intervention in alleviating poverty. We are excited to partner with the Front Range Regional Step Alliance by creating work -sites in our program as well as having this family referral resource. As a Head Start program, over 80% of the families we work with are low-income. Many of these families are also current TANF clients. We work with families to set and achieve their goals as they move toward greater self-sufficiency. As part of this family partnership process, many of our families set career - related goals. BCHS has partnered with the workforce system, through Workforce Boulder County, over many years. This linkage has helped our families move into career paths and find better jobs. Many of our current and past parents have gotten internships and job placements in the community and our very own program. We highly value the role of employment services in our community and find it is an essential provision for families to thrive and become economically stable. We are in full support of the Front Range Regional Step Alliance and we look forward to linking our families with this initiative. Sincerely, Olivia R. Coyne, MA Division Manager, Boulder County Head Start Division of Community Services ATTACHMENT S CABLENET zate.9. 7;4.4.e. v,ge. October 23, 2017 Colorado Works Subsidized Training & Employment Program (CW STEP) Subject: Letter of Support On behalf of Cablenet, we are pleased to offer our support and commitment to the success of the CW STEP grant. We are committed to working collaboratively with industry, workforce development, and other local government entities, economic development, and education to ensure that our strategic goals around workforce development align with initiatives such as the CW STEP grant. We believe our support and commitment of this grant will ensure economic vitality in the region. As a partner, we are dedicated to supporting -the program by leveraging resources, supporting the goals of the grant and offering expertise and guidance tohelp ensure the success of the program. We look forward to working with all our partners to increase our region's economic competitiveness and provide career opportunities in growing industries that can support economic self-sufficiency for our community. Best Regards, LaDan Assayesh Cablenet Wiring Products, Inc. (303)799-4205 Phone (303)799-4335 Fax ladan a@cablenet5.com www.cablenet5.com 7126 S. Tucson Way • Suite B • Englewood, Colorado 80112-6752 • (303) 799-4205 Fax (303) 799-4335 www.cablenet5.com • Toll Free (877) 44 -cables (877-442-2253) Larimer County Workforce Center Organizational Chart Updated: October 2017 Employers — CUSTOMERS — Job Seekers 1 Business Services Team Manager Adam Crowe • Business Services •Leadership and Workforce Development Training/Symposium •Training Resources Team (TRT)/ Internships • ReHire Colorado • Liaison: Veterans Workforce Development (RVER) Workforce Innovation and\ Opportunity Act (WIOA) Center Manager Mark Johnston •WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker •TAA/TRA •TEC-P Grant/Long-Term Unemployed Workers •WIOA Youth •Larimer County Conservation Corps •Year -Round Youth Labor Exchange •Governor's Summer Job Hunt *Sector Partnership NEG •Hire for Colorado •Veterans' Service to Career 1 Works Center Manager Ella Gifford -Hawkins •Larimer County Works (TANF) • Mathematica Partnership ,t Career Services Team Manager Marcy Kasner •Career Services Team • Resource Center Services/Workshops •Employment First (SNAP E&T) •Liaison: Veterans Workforce Development (DVOPs) • Loveland and Estes Park Center Management WDB Liaison /Enterprise Zone Administrator Jacob Castillo 1 Associate Director Dena Jardine 1 Director Joni Friedman Admin. 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