First Step Act Program
CSFA Number: 420-30-3129
Agency Name
Department Of Commerce And Economic Opportunity (420)
Agency Identification
64-1
Agency Contact
John Barr
3128059505
john.w.barr@illinois.gov
Short Description
DCEO will provide grant to support workforce services authorized by Illinois’ First Step Act grant number DJ-39229-22-75-A-17 from the US Department of Labor. DCEO was awarded a $10 million grant under the First Step Act Program to develop and deliver workforce training to individuals that are preparing to be released from one of the four federal prisons in Illinois. DCEO’s application and project work plan includes services that will be provided by Illinois’ LWIAs.
Federal Authorization
First Step Act of 2018
Illinois Statue Authorization
Default
Illinois Administrative Rules Authorization
DCEO Admin Rules
Objective
This program aims to improve the employment and reentry outcomes of participants by aligning the job training and skills development happening in federal prisons to the specific labor market needs of the communities where reentering citizens will live.
Prime Recipient
Yes
UGA Program Terms
The "Program Specific" terms and conditions will be outlined in the Uniform Grant Agreement that includes all of the applicable terms and conditions from the "Master Award" from the United States Department of Labor
Eligible Applicants
Government Organizations; Education Organizations; Nonprofit Organizations; Other;
Applicant Eligibility
Organizations that are eligible for these grant funds include local workforce innovation Area grantees that have federal correction facilities within the local workforce innovation area and/or local workforce innovation area grantees that serve the targeted participants under the PROWD/First Step Award. The full list of eligibility criteria will be provided in a WIOA funding notice or NOFO.
Beneficiary Eligibility
The beneficiaries of this program are "returning citizens" - individuals that are being released from the federal correctional system.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants
Subject / Service Area
Economic Development
Credentials / Documentation
The application requirements will be outlined in the WIOA Funding Notice or NOFO
Preapplication Coordination
The pre-application coordination requirements will be outlined in the WIOA Funding Notice or NOFO
Application Procedures
The application procedures will be outlined in the WIOA Funding Notice or NOFO
Criteria Selecting Proposals
The selection criteria will be outlined in the WIOA Funding Notice or NOFO
Award Procedures
The award procedures will be outlined in the WIOA Funding Notice or NOFO
Deadlines
The deadline will be established in the WIOA Funding Notice or NOFO
Range of Approval or Disapproval Time
20-25 Business Days
Appeals
The Merit Based Review process is subject to appeal. However, competitive grant appeals are limited to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Department within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published. The written appeal shall include the name and address of the appealing party, the identification of the grant and a statement of reasons for the appeal. To file an appeal, applicants must submit the appeal in writing and in accordance with the Merit-Based Application Review Appeals Process listed on the Grant Opportunities page of the DCEO website: https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/AboutDCEO/GrantOpportunities/Pages/MeritAppReview.aspx.
Renewals
Grant renewals will be allowed
Formula Matching Requirements
Formula and Matching Requirements are not Allowed. All of the Illinois LWIAs will be invited to apply
Uses and Restrictions
Grant funds may be used for any reasonable and necessary costs in support of the grant Scope of Work, Project Workplan and Budget. The WIAO Funding Notice or NOFO will outline any program specific restrictions in addition to the standard restrictions outlined at 2 CFR 200.
Reports
Quarterly PPR and PFR, Program Reports as Directed by DCEO Staff
Audits
N/A
Records
N/A
Account Identification
TBD
Obligations
CY Estimate: $2 million for the IGA, $6 million for LWIA grants
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$100,000 - $5,000,000
Program Accomplishments
TBD
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
https://www.bop.gov/inmates/fsa/ - Also see OET Program Manager -
Regional or Local Assistance Location
TBD - Statewide with a focus on area that have a federal prison
Headquarters Office
500 East Monroe Springfield, IL 62701 and 555 W Monroe St, 12th Floor Chicago, IL 60661
Program Website
To be developed
Example Projects
N/A
Published Date
Funding By Fiscal Year
FY 2023 : $8,000,000
FY 2024 : $8,000,000
Federal Funding
Notice of Funding Opportunities
Agency IDAward RangeApplication Range
None