Q1. What steps have been taken by WDA and Community Leaders to inform local businesses about the Summer Youth Employment Program?  Have Employers been recruited? Have press releases been completed by each are?

A1 No formal notification or recruitment has taken place with businesses.  Some counties have been able to talk with some employers, schools or public officials about being worksites but no worksite agreements have been initiated as that will be a duty of the selected provider.  Lists are being maintained of those businesses who express interest in being a worksite. 

Q2. Will each One Stop be providing  a list of eligible youth to submit to the selected provider? or, will the  selected provider need to determine all eligibility?

A2. Within the next week, each JFS will be sending letters to potentially eligible youth asking them to contact the JFS if interested in the program.  Defiance and Williams Counties will maintain a list of interested candidates and will provide the selected service provider with these lists so that the service provider can initiate the application and eligibility process. 

Henry and Fulton Counties are in a position to complete the initial application process in-house.  This will include verification of age, citizenship, selective service, low-income status and barrier.  The objective assessment and individual service strategy will still be completed by the selected service provider.

Q3. This is regarding the assembly of the proposal packet. The program plan/narrative requirements page starts on page 10 and ends on page 13 highlighting 16 questions that need to be answered by the bidder.

In reading page 8 regarding required proposal documents there is a bullet citing that a program plan narrative format) needs to be included as well as completion of the questionnaire. Could you please clarify if you need two documents 1. the narrative and 2. a completed questionnaire or should the answers to the questions be blended in the narrative?

A3. When submitting, the proposal should include a narrative which gives a general outline of your program plan.  This narrative should be 8 pages or less.  You should also include the answers to the questions found on pages 10 - 13 of the RFP.

Q4. If we do not have an A-133 from a previous year, does this prohibit our company from submitting a proposal or will a review suffice? 

A4. If your agency was not subject to an A-133 audit in its last audit review, you are asked to submit the copy of the most recent independent audit completed. 

Q5. Can the youth be placed at both non-profit and for-profit businesses?

A5. TEGL 14-08 section E under Worksites states local areas should consider a combination of public sector, private sector (which includes for-profit agencies), and non-profit summer employment opportunities.

Q6. Is it reasonable to market this program to older youth as a stepping stone into permanent employment that would benefit the youth and the employer?

A6. It is reasonable but worksite employers are not required to hire the participant following a work experience placement.  Remember, the primary benefit of a work experience placement is for the youth to participate in a "learning opportunity" and not just provide free labor to an employer. 

Q7. Do we need to provide letters from various employers about the types of jobs they will provide?

A7. If I understand your question correctly, no you are not required by the RFP to submit letters from potential worksites.  The selected provider of service will have the responsibility to recruit suitable employers as worksites and secure worksite agreements.  NWOJC has the oversight and monitoring authority to review all worksite agreements and rescind worksite agreements as necessary. 

Q8. Are the dates for the youth work experience as described under services on page one from first day of contract-March 31, 2010 or June 30, 2010?

A8. The March 31, 2010 date referenced in the RFP designates the waiver time frame for youth ages 18 through 24 who are out of school.  This waiver extends the work readiness measurement and allows older youth (ages 18 through 24) who are out of school to participate in Work Experience between October 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010 and be subject to only the work readiness indicator.  Supportive services may also be offered in addition to work experience during this waiver period.  However, if a youth participating in work experience also needs any of the other WIA eligible activities during this time frame, the youth will be subject to common measures.  

Beyond March 31, 2010 through June 30, 2010, all older out of school youth participating in work experience in addition to any other WIA activity will be subject to common measures. 

Any youth subject to common measures must have a comprehensive objective assessment and Individual Service Strategy completed. 

Q9.  How much of the budget can be alloted to occupational skills training?

A9. There is no restriction placed on cost of other youth activities but TEGL 14-08 clearly states that summer employment is the focus of the stimulus monies and that the use of the additional funding is to substantially increase the number of customers served.  It has been recommended that 70-80% of a providers' budget be for direct work experience paid to the youth. 

Q10.  Can we pay minimum wage or more?

A10. You must pay at least minimum wage.  Differentiation in wages should be consistent and justifiable.  (i.e.  minimum wage for 16 - 17 year olds, higher wage for 18 - 24 year olds). 

Q11.  Is it possible to have staff stationed at the one stops in each county as a way to recruit youth as well as provide updates and coordinate services.  If yes, what would be the cost?

A11. Stationing of youth provider staff in each One Stop was not addressed in the RFP, therefore potential use of space or costs for that space should not be included in the proposal.  Discussion on the use of One Stop space may be addressed during contract negotiation.

Q12.  Are we able to provide counseling for adjustment issues, anger, etc.?

A12. Please note the answers to questions 4 and 5 above.

Q13.  Can youth participate in both a work experience and occupational skills training so that they would have work experience and a certificate? 

A13. Please reference number 4 above.  Depending on the need for occupational skills training, this youth stimulus program may not be the venue for these youth.