REGION Q Request for Proposals Bidders’ Conference Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ADULTS AND DISLOCATED WORKERS BEAUFORT, BERTIE, HERTFORD, MARTIN, AND PITT COUNTIES Program Year 2015

Welcome & Purpose Region Q Website Overview of Request for Proposal Integrated Service Delivery Career Services Training Services Performance Standards Financial Information Important Dates Questions and Answers Agenda

Region Q Website

Funding Period  July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016  Possible Extension of Contract - 1 Year Region Q Five County Region: BEAUFORT BERTIE HERTFORD MARTIN PITT RFP PROPOSALS ACCEPTED FOR: BEAUFORT BERTIE HERTFORD MARTIN PITT Overview of RFP

Important Information Many Provisions of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act become effective as of July 1, To date, the State of North Carolina and the Region Q Workforce Development Board have received several Training and Employment Guidance Letters (TEGLs) concerning the implementation of the legislation; however, we are awaiting the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and the issuance of WIOA Regulations from the U.S. Department of Labor. Bidders acknowledge that with the receipt of the regulations, they will comply with any changes or requirements contained therein.

PURPOSE OF RFP The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to solicit competitive proposals for the operation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act-Adult & Dislocated Workers Programs in the following counties of the Region Q Workforce Development Consortium: Beaufort, Bertie, Hertford, Martin, and Pitt. Any governmental, educational, community-based organization or non-profit agency engaged in public service; or any private-for-profit agency may apply. Each entity proposing to provide the employment and training services as prescribed by this RFP, must do so as an individual company or agency, and be prepared to either provide the services directly or establish an agreement with the appropriate provider(s) of the services.

ONE-STOP DELIVERY SYSTEM The WDB, in partnership with the workforce development agencies, has developed a system of comprehensive NC Works Career Centers in the five-county region. The system design currently includes five (5) full-service NC Works Career Centers and one SHARE Network site. Region Q requires that all Adult & Dislocated Worker contractors operate from the applicable NC Works Career Center.

COLLABORATION Leveraged Funding and Service Coordination Bidders will leverage community resources to create a seamless network of services that are easily accessible and relevant to customers. To have a meaningful impact on the quality and breadth of the NC Works services system, bidders must be able to draw upon a resource base that extends beyond WIOA funding. Bidders should describe connections to other funding sources that will benefit participants and increase the cost effectiveness of federal funds.

Integrated Service Delivery NC Works Career Centers in the Region Q Local Area deliver workforce development services through an integrated service delivery model. Included in this integration model will be staff which deliver funded services through Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)-Adult and Dislocated Worker Programs, Wagner-Peyser, Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), and Veterans Services programs. The purpose of this RFP is to identify an Adult and Dislocated Worker contractor that can provide staffing and program services through WIOA funding in the context of this integrated environment.

Functional Leadership In the Region Q NC Works Career Center integrated model, functional supervision will play a key role within the operations. To implement this supervisory approach, each full-service NC Works Career Center will have a Functional Leader (Manager/Supervisor) who is directly responsible for day-to- day operational activities. The Functional Leader will make operational decisions concerning customer flow, deploy staff as necessary to manage the customer flow, and be responsible for the overall quality and effectiveness of the center. The functional supervision model recognizes that the Adult and Dislocated Worker contracting organization is considered the employer of record and has internal human resource functions that must be managed within their organization. Such functions would include final hiring and firing decisions, benefits administration, and time and attendance reporting. However, it should be noted that even in these critical human resource areas, the Functional Leader will have input and the opportunity to influence decisions.

Team-Based Staff Deployment In the Region Q NC Works Career Center integrated model, staff will be deployed in functional teams that work together to meet the needs of job seeker and employer customers. The specific functional teams that will operate in each NC Works Center at a minimum will include the Welcome Team, the Skills Team, and the Employment Team. The Region Q Workforce Development Board requires the contractor through this Request for Proposals to staff these functional teams with high energy professional staff who can deliver high quality services to customers and who also have the ability to determine the need for supportive services for employment and training, assessing availability, suitability, and identifying resources to meet those needs.

ADULT In general, to be an eligible for the adult program: an individual must be 18 years of age or older. Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible to work in the US If male and required to register, must be registered with selective Service For adult employment and training activities, priority shall be given to recipients of public assistance, other low income individuals, and individuals who are basic skills deficient for receipt of career services and training services.

DISLOCATED WORKERS The term “dislocated worker” means: (1) (1) An individual who has been terminated or laid off, or who has received notice of termination or layoff, from employment, and is eligible for or has exhausted entitlement to unemployment compensation, and is unlikely to return to a previous industry or occupation. (2)An individual who has been terminated or laid off, or who has received notice of termination or layoff, from employment, and has been employed for a duration sufficient to demonstrate, to the appropriate entity at a one-stop center referred to in section 134(c), attachment to the workforce, but is not eligible for unemployment compensation due to insufficient earnings or having performed services for an employer that was not covered under a State unemployment compensation law, and is unlikely to return to a previous industry or occupation.

DISLOCATED WORKER (3) (3)An individual who has been terminated or laid off, or who has received a notice of termination or layoff, from employment as a result of any permanent closure of, or any substantial layoff at, a plant, facility, or enterprise. (4)An individual who is employed at a facility at which the employer has made a general announcement that such facility will close within 180 days. (5)For purposes of eligibility to receive services other than training, intensive, or supportive services, an individual who is employed at a facility at which the employer has made a general announcement that such facility will close. (6)An individual who was self-employed (including employment as a farmer, rancher, or fisherman) but is unemployed as a result of general economic conditions in the community in which the individual resides or because of a natural disaster (7)An individual who is a displaced homemaker.

Career Services At a minimum: WIOA Eligibility Determination Outreach, Intake Initial Assessment Labor Exchange Services Coordination with Other Programs Job Search & Placement Assistance Provision of Employment Statistics Performance Information & Program Cost Assisting in establishing eligibility for Financial aid & other Services Supportive Services UI Information Follow-Up Screened Referrals Job Club Job Development

Career Services Development of IEP In-depth interviewing & evaluation to identify employment barriers & appropriate employment goals Comprehensive & Specialized Assessments Group Counseling Internships and Work Experience linked to careers Out of area job search assistance and relocation assistance Individual Counseling & Career Planning Case Management Short-term pre-vocational services Financial Literacy Services English language acquisition and integrated education and taining Workforce preparation activities

TRAINING SERVICES occupational skills training, including training for nontraditional employment on-the-job training Incumbent Worker Training in acdordance with the Act programs that combine workplace training with related instruction which may include cooperative education programs training programs operated by the private sector skill upgrading and retraining entrepreneurial training Transitional jobs in accordance with the Act job readiness training in combination with services described in any clauses (i through viii) employer or group of employers to employ and individual upon successful completion of the training

adult education and literacy activities provided in combination with services described above, and customized training conducted with a commitment by an employer or group of employers to employ and individual upon successful completion of the training

ADULT: Entered Employment Rate Retention Rate Average Earnings Performance Measures DISLOCATED WORKERS: Entered Employment Rate Retention Rate Average Earnings

Programs will transition from Workforce Investment Act Common performance measures to WIOA performance measures. While PY 2015 performance measures have not been received, the successful bidder is required to meet or exceed Region Q performance goals. PY 2014 performance goals are listed as a reference. Region Q Local Area PY 2014 Goals ADULTS Entered Employment Rate82.50% Employment Retention92.50 % 6-Months Earnings$ 12,800 DISLOCATED WORKERS Entered Employment Rate90.00% Employment Retention93.00 % 6-Months Earnings$ 15,500

ation Financial Information Contract Extension Budget Plan WIOA Budget Sheets Cost Reimbursement Contract

Proposal Instructions Submit proposals no later than 12:00 Noon EST on April 24, 2015 to the Region Q Local Area Office. -EST Proposals must include: Page Numbers (1) One copy labeled “Original” (5) Five copies of RFP Submitted in 3-ring binder Completion of all forms Proposal Format and Required Forms in Order

REMEMBER….. AFTER THE BIDDERS’ CONFERENCE, STAFF WILL NOT RESPOND TO ANY QUESTIONS ASKED IN WRITING, PERSON OR BY TELEPHONE!

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

REGION Q WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CONSORTIUM Region Q Workforce Investment Consortium is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request for individuals with disabilities