JTED Notice of Funding Opportunity 2021

​This funding opportunity has closed. Visit the Funding Opportunities page to learn about current opportunities.

There is currently a bug affecting users running a newer version of Microsoft's Edge Browser. This bug forces users to log into Illinois workNet when they click on a link to view any Office document file (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). Until this issue has been resolved by Microsoft, affected users can download the file via an alternate browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.) or do the following to download via Edge.

  1. Right click on the file.
  2. Click "Save link as"
  3. Download the file to your computer.

This will allow you to view the file without logging into Illinois workNet.


Overview

DCEO is pleased to announce $20 million in funding for job training and support activities to assist individuals most in need become qualified and employed in industries hardest hit by Covid-19. 

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funded Workforce Recovery Initiative provides funding to build the capacity of the state's workforce system and prioritize creating equitable access for historically underrepresented populations in Illinois. This funding restores the Job Training and Economic Development (JTED) Program model to address the barriers to work experienced by adults and youth during the pandemic and provides a pool of talented job seekers for businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19.

Read the press release about this funding opportunity.

Note: The period to accept applications for this funding opportunity has ended.


Program Design

JTED provides an opportunity to provide innovative, employer-driven training approaches that pair education and occupational training with work-based learning to support regional and local economic development for businesses and individuals most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, a key feature is the flexible funding available for individuals with emergency costs for basic needs.

Through the JTED program, DCEO will connect the unemployed, underemployed, and underrepresented with employers in need of a skilled workforce or upskill their existing workers by providing funding for accessible equity-driven services to those in disadvantaged communities.

Who can apply for funding
First-time applicants and entities represented in underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply. Eligible entities must demonstrate expertise and effectiveness in administering workforce development programs. These include:

  • Private nonprofit organizations (which may consist of a faith-based organization), 
  • Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) administrative entities,
  • Community Action Agencies, 
  • Industry associations, and  
  • Public or private educational institutions.
Who will the funding serve
The funding will target marginalized job seekers residing in a low-income or underserved community (identified as a qualified census tract or disproportionately impacted area) that meet one or more of the following definitions:
  • Unemployed – individuals who are without a job and available to work
  • Underemployed - individuals including those working part-time who are experiencing barriers to employment (particularly those facing layoffs or other negative impacts due to pandemic)
  • Underrepresented – individuals from disproportionately impacted areas, including a qualified census tract and experience one or more barriers to employment 
What Target Industries are the Priority?
JTED funding will focus on hard-hit sectors that have seen a labor shortage since the pandemic.  These include but are not limited to manufacturing, healthcare, arts and entertainment, waste management, retail, as well continuing to address worker shortages in industries like information technology and transportation, distribution, and logistics. These funds will also place a priority on small and medium-sized minority-owned companies.

What is the Service Delivery Model?
Four categories will guide service delivery under the JTED Program. The approach used must be based on what best serves the employers' and industry sectors' needs and provides equitable-driven services to the target population.  Additionally, programs must consider the experience of people of color and women in the industry, as well as how it will increase access, enrollment, and completion.  

  • Category 1 – Job Seeker Focus
    • Provides occupational training along with work-based learning to individuals who need self-sustaining employment.
    • Training strategies must be part of a career pathway for demand occupations in the targeted industries and result in participants earning stackable certification or credentials.
  • Category 2 – Employer Focus
    • Upskills employees to address the negative economic impact of COVID-19 and/or historical inequities
    • Connects employers in targeted industries impacted by COVID-19 to individuals meeting the definition of underemployed, underrepresented, and dislocated workers.  This can include incumbent workers meeting the definition of underemployed or underrepresented.
  • Category 3 – Youth
    • Offers career development opportunities and work-based learning (e.g., pre-apprentice and apprenticeship) for youth ages 16-24 with one or more barriers to education, training, and employment.
  • Category 4 - Barrier Reduction Funding
    • Increases family stability and job retention by covering accumulated emergency costs for basic needs


Submission Details

Application Deadline:  The application due date for this round of funding is 5:00PM (Central Time) October 29, 2021. Failure to meet the application deadline or failure to submit all required materials may result in the Department returning the application without review or may preclude the Department from making the award.

Application Submission Requirements:  Application materials must be submitted to the Department via the SmartSheet. The link to the SmartSheet is in the NOFO. The Department will not accept applications submitted by mail, overnight mail, diskette, or by fax machine.  Electronic submissions including links to documents stored in Google Docs or other cloud-based servers are not allowed.  The Department is under no obligation to review applications that do not comply with the above requirements. 

An informational webinar will be held on September 27, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. Information about how to access the webinar is available under the Informational Sessions header below.


Funding Information

Funding for this opportunity is through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021(ARPA) Workforce Recovery Initiative. 

It is anticipated that the Department will provide funding of $20,000,000 to address the immediate needs of businesses and individuals impacted by COVID-19. Please note that the Department may exceed the funding range based on the proposed project outcomes. 
 
Total Funds Available: $20,000,000
Anticipated Number of Grants: 35-45
Funding Range: $500 - 750K
Anticipated Grant Term/Performance Period: January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2023 (2-year grants)

Based on successful performance and if funds are available, the Department may determine that grant extensions and additions of funds to current grantees will be permitted. The anticipated number of awards and funding range is outlined below.


Appendices

Note: If you are using Firefox, Google Chome, Microsoft Edge, or Safari, you must save Appendix E to your computer before accessing it (this is not an issue when using Internet Explorer). These files can be downloaded by:

  • Right-clicking the name of the file
  • Selecting "Save Link As" (or "Download File As" in Safari)
  • Saving the PDF to the computer
  • Opening and completing the form in the Adobe application on your computer.
Microsoft Word versions of these files are also available if you are unable to open them using Adobe.

FAQs

NOFO Materials
Microsoft Word versions of the following files are available in case you are unable to open them using Adobe:
  • JTED Program NOFO Application (Word)
  • JTED Program Implementation Plan (PIP) (Word)
  • ​JTED Training Program Summary (Word)

Note: If you are using Firefox, Google Chome, Microsoft Edge, or Safari, you must save the JTED NOFO Application and Training Program Summary files before accessing them (this is not an issue when using Internet Explorer). These files can be downloaded by:

  • Right-clicking the name of the file
  • Selecting "Save Link As" (or "Download File As" in Safari)
  • Saving the PDF to the computer
  • Opening and completing the form in the Adobe application on your computer.

Resources

Useful State Resources for Successful Applications

Partnerships - MOU, Business Engagement, etc.

Equity and Employment

Career Pathways and Work-Based Learning

Support Service and Barrier Reduction


TA Sessions 

Informational Sessions

Informational Sessions will be held within the first two weeks of NOFO development to assure that all applicants will have the skills needed to submit a competitive application regardless of familiarity with Department funding opportunities.​


Content
Date​
Time​Description
Recording/Materials
​JTED NOFO Review featuring GATA
​9/29/2021
​​8:30 - 11am
​Overview of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) including details of the award, restrictions, definitions, requirements, and target population. Additionally, this webinar will also feature a GATA review.
​Grants 101
9/21/2021
10 - 11:30am
​This webinar will cover a general overview of the grant writing process including the following topics:
  • Grant Life Cycle
  • Program Management
  • Financial Management
  • Eligibility
  • Performance
  • Deliverables and Oversight Reporting
GATA Review
9/22/2021
1 - 2pm
​Staff will provide an overview of the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act including the following issues:
  • State processes
  • Outcomes
  • Performance Monitoring
  • Budgeting
​Grants 101 - 2
​9/28/2021
​1 - 2:30pm
​​This webinar will cover a general overview of the grant writing process including the following topics:
  • Grant Life Cycle
  • Program Management
  • Financial Management
  • Eligibility
  • Performance
  • Deliverables and Oversight Reporting
​Preparing the Budget and Sustainability
​9/29/2021
​12:30 - 2pm
​Preparing a solid budget and addressing sustainability once funding ends is the foundation for a good application. Learn how to prepare the budget narrative with the accompanying forms as well as learn the elements of a sustainable program.
​Career Pathways
​10/4/2021
​10 - 11am
Describing the career pathway that leads to demand occupations in your area, is an essential discussion within a grant application. During this webinar attendees will learn about the career pathway framework and the steps for creating them.
​Work-Based Learning
​10/4/2021
​2 - 3pm
​This webinar will provide an overview of the work-based learning framework and provide guidance on creating quality experiences for participants being served through the JTED program.
​Business Engagement
​10/5/2021
​10:30 - 12pm
​Identifying steps and best practices for business engagement is key to the success of a program and translating these steps in an application. This session will identify those steps and give ideas on how to overcome challenges and obstacles.
​Workers' Rights
​10/5/2021
​2 - 3:30pm
​This webinar will address workers’ rights on the job and provide example scenarios of how to handle situations properly in the workplace.
​Equity and Employment
​10/6/2021
​10:30 - 12pm
This webinar will walk the audience through specific strategies and best practices around equity and employment that will inform the development of the equity and employment plan that is needed in the application submission.
​JTED NOFO Review
​10/14/2021
​2:30pm-4:30pm
​Overview of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)  including guidance on details of the award, restrictions, definitions, requirements, target populations, technical assistance topis, and upcoming calendar.
Grants 101 TA Session
​10/18/2021
​10:00am-11:30am
​This webinar covers a general overview of the grant writing process including the Grant Life Cycle, Program Management, Financial Management, Eligibility, Performance, and Deliverables/Oversight Reporting.