POWER dislocated-worker grants for coal regions

CLASSIFICATION
  EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION                WIOA National Reserve
              ADVISORY SYSTEM                           CORRESPONDENCE SYMBOL
         U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR                       OWI
            Washington, D.C. 20210                      DATE
                                                        October 20,2016

ADVISORY:        TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT GUIDANCE LETTER NO. 9-16

TO:              STATE WORKFORCE AGENCIES
                 STATE WORKFORCE ADMINISTRATORS
                 STATE WORKFORCE LIAISONS
                 STATE AND LOCAL WORKFORCE BOARDS AND CHAIRS
                 STATE LABOR COMMISSIONERS
                 WIA SECTION 166 INDIAN AND NATIVE AMERICAN PROGRAM
                 GRANTEES

FROM:            PORTIA WU /s/
                 Assistant Secretary

SUBJECT:         Updated Information on POWER Initiative National Dislocated Worker Grants

1. Purpose. To announce the continued availability of up to $31 million (remaining of an
   initial $38 million set-aside) in National Dislocated Worker Grants (DWGs) from funds
   available in Program Years (PY) 2016 and 2017 as part of the Partnerships for Opportunity
   and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative, and to increase the
   maximum award amount to $5 million from the previously-announced $2 million, to
   support the planning and implementation of workforce strategies for regions and
   communities that are negatively impacted by changes in the coal economy.

2. References.

      Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), sec. 170, Pub. L. No. 113-128,
       (July 22, 2014)
      WIOA Regulations at 20 CFR part 682 and 687
      Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) 2-15 “Operational Guidance for
       National Dislocated Worker Grants, pursuant to the Workforce Innovation and
       Opportunity Act (WIOA or Opportunity Act)” dated July 1, 2015
      TEGL 3-15 “Guidance on Services Provided through the Adult and Dislocated Worker
       Program under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA or Opportunity
       Act) and Wagner-Peyser, as Amended by WIOA, and Guidance for the Transition to
       WIOA Services” dated July 1, 2015


 RESCISSIONS                                            EXPIRATION DATE
 TEGL 32-14                                             Continuing


      TEGL 2-16, “Revised ETA-9130 Financial Report, Instructions, and Additional
       Guidance,” dated July 14, 2016
      TEGL 10-09, “Implementing Priority of Service for Veterans and Eligible Spouses in all
       Qualified Job Training Programs Funded in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of
       Labor (DOL),” dated November 10, 2009
      Training and Employment Notice (TEN) 8-16, “Implementation of an Integrated
       Performance Reporting System for Multiple Employment and Training Administration
       (ETA) and Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) Administered Programs,”
       dated August 24, 2016
      ETA Form 9130 (OMB Control No. 1205-0461)
      2 CFR Part 180
      2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit
       Requirements for Federal Awards, Final Rule
      Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Development (POWER)
       Initiative 2016 information, available at www.eda.gov/power

3. Background. The POWER Initiative is an ongoing, multi-agency effort to assist
   communities negatively impacted by changes in the coal industry and power sector. By
   aligning and leveraging resources, the POWER Initiative reaches across economic
   development and workforce development systems to support regional and local solutions
   for long-term economic vitality.

   A primary goal of the POWER Initiative is to support economic diversification for
   communities negatively impacted by downturns in the coal economy. The POWER
   Initiative enables impacted communities to develop a planning and/or implementation
   process to strengthen economic development strategies and build local and regional
   workforce strategies, and to promote new job creation opportunities.

   Communities eligible for POWER Initiative grants are those that have been impacted, or can
   reasonably demonstrate that they will be impacted, by coal mining and coal power plant
   employment loss including layoffs in the manufacturing or transportation logistics supply
   chains of either. Instead of pre-defining geographies that are eligible, the Department
   welcomes any application that can demonstrate that there is economic distress or negative
   impact resulting from coal economy contractions (e.g., mine closures, power plant closures,
   etc.). A description of the community’s reliance on the coal economy and the related
   contractions will be expected in the project narrative of each individual funding application
   (see Section 6 below under Eligible Applicants).

   In addition to the DWG funds available through the Employment & Training Administration
   (ETA), communities may be eligible for POWER Initiative funds through the US Economic
   Development Administration or the Appalachian Regional Commission. These agencies
   announced new funding opportunities earlier in 2016. POWER DWG applicants are
   encouraged to align with and leverage POWER resources from these agencies, as well as
   other resources, to maximize effectiveness.


   This TEGL describes the specifics of the ETA-funded POWER DWGs only. For more
   information on the broader POWER Initiative, visit www.eda.gov/power.

4. POWER National Dislocated Worker Grants. ETA’s investments in the POWER
   Initiative are funded through a special DWG offering, called POWER DWGs. These grants
   support workforce development activities that prepare dislocated workers for good jobs in
   high-demand occupations aligned with a regional or community economic development
   strategy.

   DWGs are discretionary grants awarded by the Secretary of Labor under section 170 of the
   Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to provide employment-related services for
   dislocated workers. DWGs provide resources to states and other eligible applicants to
   respond to layoff events causing significant job losses. This funding temporarily expands
   the capacity of states or local workforce areas to serve dislocated workers and meet the
   increased demand for employment and training services, with the goal of quickly
   reemploying laid-off workers and enhancing their employability and earnings.

   To support an American economy that provides opportunity for all, workers must have skills
   that align with the needs of businesses and must be readily able to adapt as business needs
   evolve. POWER grantees will support a job-driven approach by ensuring that local and
   regional economic and workforce development plans are aligned and coordinated, and will
   address the specific needs of businesses and workers in the community. The projects
   proposed under this POWER DWG offering should be strategic, regional, industry-focused
   approaches to workforce and economic development that improve access to good jobs and
   help communities and workers plan for and recover from transitions in the coal economy.

   To achieve the goal of economic diversification, POWER DWGs should align with local
   and regional strategic planning efforts that connect economic development, workforce
   development, and a wide range of other regional and community stakeholders and
   businesses. Effective planning and partnerships across targeted, growing and in-demand
   industries will help ensure that coal-reliant communities are able to grow and diversify their
   economies in careful and thoughtful ways and help ensure that they are able to foster and
   maintain viable businesses. Workforce training aligned with this planning, including those
   funded through the POWER DWG, will help ensure that skilled workers are available for
   new and existing jobs in the course of this transition.

   ETA will accept applications for POWER DWGs through the end of PY 2017. This TEGL
   provides instructions for eligible applicants to apply for these funds, and information on
   how the funds can be used upon receipt of a grant award.

5. Eligibility and Qualifying Events

   Community Eligibility and Qualifying Events
   Communities eligible for POWER DWG funds are those that have been impacted, or can
   reasonably demonstrate that they will be impacted by a public announcement or individual
   notifications of permanent or temporary layoff, by coal mining or coal power plant


employment loss including layoffs in the manufacturing or transportation logistics supply
chains of either. The Department will review applications and select those that demonstrate
the degree of economic distress/impact resulting from coal economy contractions (e.g. mine
closures, power plant closures, etc.).

Applicants must identify one or more qualifying events that enable them to receive DWG
funds. There are two methods by which the qualifying event(s) threshold may be met:

       1. Identification of one or more qualifying layoffs that occur in regions or
          communities. Qualifying layoffs are those in which at least 50 total job losses
          can be directly or indirectly attributed to downturns in the coal economy—
          including but not limited to mining, transport, and power generation—that have
          occurred no more than 18 months before the application date within the
          identified project area. Applications based upon qualifying layoffs occurring
          more than 18 months before the application date must include a substantial
          justification of how these layoffs are still affecting the community or region.

           The 50 total job losses may come from a single layoff or from a series of eligible
           layoffs across the geographic area to be covered by the grant.

       2. In rare cases, there may be regions or communities that wish to apply for
          POWER DWG funds but cannot demonstrate 50 total job losses during an 18-
          month period due to the small, rural nature of the region. For these communities,
          ETA may accept an application that can show job losses that have had or
          continue to have a substantial impact on the unemployment rate of the region.

In addition to demonstrating the broad impacts of downturns in the coal economy on the
local or regional economy, applicants must identify the area that will be covered by the
project; see Section 6 below for more information.

Eligible Participants
POWER DWG grant participants must be dislocated workers, who live or were dislocated
from employment within the area covered by the application, and who are directly impacted
by layoffs from coal mines or coal-fired power plants, or layoffs from the manufacturing or
transportation logistics chains of either. Any of these eligible dislocated workers who live
or work within the region or community identified in the grant application may be served
through this grant. Following the initial grant award, recipients may add new employers to
the project via a grant modification.

As in other ETA-funded programs, veterans must receive Priority of Service for training and
services made available under POWER DWGs, as required by the Jobs for Veterans Act and
described in TEGL 10-09.

Eligible Applicants
Applicants eligible to apply for POWER DWGs are:


          State agencies responsible for administering WIOA title I activities, including those
           in outlying areas, within which is an impacted community or region as well as
           entities eligible to receive funding under section 166 (Indian and Native American
           Program grantees) of WIOA.
          Where applicable, states may apply as a consortium to address coal-impacted
           regions that cross state boundaries.

   These identified applicants allow ETA to most efficiently and effectively manage the
   application process and grant funds, ensure consistency of applications, and coordinate with
   state partners. State agency applicants must include the relevant local workforce
   development board(s) in the impacted regions or communities in their applications as
   partners.

6. Application Procedures and Requirements. Submit applications for POWER DWGs via
   the DWG Electronic Application System (eSystem). We will accept applications on an
   ongoing basis through the end of Program Year 2017, or until cancelled or funds are no
   longer available. DWGs are listed in the Catalog for Federal Financial Assistance under
   17.277 and are funded by ETA. This TEGL serves as the announcement for the POWER
   DWG funding opportunity. The application, generated by the eSystem, will contain:
        An SF-424 (OMB No. 4040-0004)
        An SF-424A (OMB No. 4040-0006)
        A Budget Information Narrative, used to explain the line items of the SF-424A
        A Project Synopsis – Form 9106 (OMB No. 1205-0439)
        A Planning Form – Form 9103 (OMB No. 1205-0439), with projected enrollment
          and expenditure information.
        A project narrative that addresses the items listed below under POWER DWG
          Project Narrative Requirements (OMB No. 1205-0439), and includes the activities
          contained in the “Use of Funds” portion of this section.
              o ETA anticipates that an application will be approximately 10 pages in length
                  (double spaced).

   NOTE: Work-based learning activities should be included in the grant application under
   the “OJT” fields.

   The grant award package may include additional terms and conditions that will apply to the
   project that are not listed here, including information on grant modifications, enrolling of
   additional participants, and completing employer data records during the course of the grant
   project.

   POWER DWG Project Narrative Requirements
   The project narrative must provide an overview of the applicant’s project goals, expected
   impacts and funding request and a description of how funding from ETA and any other
   POWER partner agencies, or other leveraged funding, would assist the applicant in reaching
   its desired impact.


This project narrative must include, but is not limited to, the following information.
a) A description of the area to be covered by the grant, the qualifying layoff(s), and its/their
   impact on the community.

 The description must include discussion of the community’s reliance on the coal economy
 and the related contractions in the project narrative for each application. This description
 may include information such as shrinking coal-related employment, announced job cuts
 or company closures, decreased economic activity related to the coal economy, and other
 information that the applicant has determined will provide evidence of the impact of coal-
 related economic transition on their economy. The description must also include:
    Any layoff events, announced future layoffs, economic impacts from coal economy
       contractions or down-sizing of the workforce, and descriptions of how the
       community has been impacted, or will be impacted, by coal economy employment
       losses. Economic indicators, labor market analyses, public announcements,
       demographic, and industry data are strong sources of data to demonstrate these
       impacts.
    Rapid Response activities which have been or will be conducted, including
       demographic data gathered by company and/or worker surveys or through other
       methods.
    Any relevant data or information on the region, economy, workforce, etc., to support
       the application.

Please note that regions are geographic and economic areasthat are capable of undertaking
self-sustained economic development.

b) A clear project summary,including a description of the integration of economic and
   workforce development activities.

 This section of the application narrative should focus on describing the activities that the
 applicant intends to carry out with grant funds. This section should include:
    A discussion of the overall project and specific discussion of economic and
       workforce development activities.
    A discussion of how the economic and workforce development activities described
       are going to be integrated in a complementary manner.
    A discussion of how any existing federal funding would be leveraged, and how any
       existing federal, state, local, and/or private resources/capacity would be leveraged.
    Proposed development of sector strategies or other innovative approaches and
       partnerships to promote transition of coal workers into high-demand, family-
       supporting jobs.

c) A description of connectedness with existing planning efforts and/or proposed strategic
   planning component.

 An eligible region or community interested in applying for a POWER DWG must
 demonstrate how the proposed workforce project is or will be integrated with an existing
 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), or other relevant strategic


     economic development plan that exists or may be developed in coordination with the
     POWER DWG project. POWER DWG applications should describe the alignment
     between the proposed POWER DWG activities and the overarching regional or
     community economic development strategy.

     Where applicable, an application should include a demonstration of how the proposed
     project is implementing an existing strategic or economic development planning effort.
     Such demonstration may include reference to CEDS’s that address economic
     diversification needs, or other equivalent regional economic development plans, or
     regional and/or state-wide strategies for addressing workforce needs (such as WIOA State
     or local strategic plans), or multi-state efforts, that are compatible with and aligned to
     applicable economic development plans. For POWER DWGs, applicants must describe
     the coordination with or development of strategic plans as follows:
        If one or more plans exist within the region, include any referenced plan as part of
            the application and describe how it will align with the proposed DWG project; or,
        If a plan exists but requires additional work to ensure alignment with the proposed
            DWG project, describe the additional planning that will be undertaken with the
            DWG and include a copy of the plan(s) in the application; or,
        If no current plan exists, describe how the strategic planning portion of the proposed
            DWG project will develop a comprehensive plan for the region or community.
        A description of the region’s economic diversification goals and how the project
            will help bring about this diversification within the region.

   NOTE: Attach any existing plans or strategy documents to the POWER DWG application.

   d) A description of any partners included in the grant proposal.

       Applicants must include a description of any partners supporting the application, along
       with information about the role they will play in the proposed project; examples of
       project partners include local workforce development boards, economic development
       organizations, educational or training institutions including Registered Apprenticeship
       programs, community leaders, community-based organizations, or other stakeholders.

7. Application Review and Award. Applications for POWER DWGs will be accepted on a
   rolling basis. All applications received while funds remain available for the POWER
   Initiative, or before its cancellation, will be given an initial review for completeness by the
   ETA Grant Officer before program review to assess the technical merit and responsiveness
   of each application. This program review will carefully evaluate the applications against the
   criteria outlined in this TEGL to determine the merits of each application. These criteria are
   based on the policy goals, priorities, and emphases set forth in this TEGL. The program
   review will advise the Grant Officer regarding whether to make a selection for funding; the
   results of the review are advisory in nature and not binding on the Grant Officer. The Grant
   Officer reserves the right to take into consideration other relevant factors when applicable.
   Such factors may include the geographic distribution of funds and/or other relevant factors.
   The Grant Officer may also consider any information that comes to his/her attention.


ETA may elect to award a grant with or without discussions with the applicant. Should a
grant be awarded without discussions, the award will be based on the applicant’s signature
on the SF-424, including electronic signature, which constitutes a binding offer by the
applicant.

NOTE: The Department will determine if the applicant had any restriction on spending for
any ETA grant due to adverse monitoring findings within the past three years. Depending
on the severity of the findings, the Grant Officer may elect to not provide the applicant a
grant award.

All applications deemed to be complete and responsive by the Grant Officer will then go
through a risk review process. Prior to making an award, ETA will review information
available through any Office of Management and Budget (OMB)-designated repository of
government-wide eligibility qualification or federal integrity information, such as the
Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity System (FAPIIS), Dun and Bradstreet, and “Do
Not Pay.” Additionally, ETA will comply with the requirements of 2 CFR part 180
(Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Non-Procurement)). This risk evaluation
may incorporate results of the evaluation of the applicant’s eligibility (application
screening), or the quality of its application (technical review). If ETA determines that an
entity is responsible and an award will be made, special conditions that correspond to the
degree of risk assessed may be applied to the award. Risk-related criteria to be evaluated
include:
    (1) Financial stability;
    (2) Quality of management systems and ability to meet the management standards
        prescribed in the Uniform Grant Guidance;
    (3) History of performance. The Applicant’s record in managing awards, cooperative
        agreements, or procurement awards, if it is a prior recipient of such Federal awards,
        including timeliness of compliance with applicable reporting requirements, and if
        available, the extent to which any previously awarded amounts will be expended
        prior to future awards;
    (4) Reports and findings from audits performed under Sub-part F – Audit Requirements
        of the Uniform Grant Guidance or the reports and findings of any other available
        audits and monitoring reports containing finds, issues of non-compliance, or
        questioned costs;
    (5) The applicant’s ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other
        requirements imposed on recipients.

Selection of an organization as a recipient does not constitute approval of the grant
application as submitted. Before the actual grant is awarded, the Department may enter into
negotiations about such items as program components, staffing and funding levels, and
administrative systems in place to support grant implementation. If the negotiations do not
result in a mutually acceptable submission, the Grant Officer reserves the right to terminate
the negotiations and decline to fund the application. The Department reserves the right to
not fund any application related to this TEGL.


   ETA’s technical review will also include a consideration of the following factors:
     1. Economic Impact
          The strength of the nexus between the proposed project and the economic
             impacts of contractions in the coal economy; and,
          The relative economic distress of the region.
     2. Relative Strength of Economic and Workforce Development Integration
          The demonstrated coordination between the project’s economic development
             investment and workforce development efforts; and,
          The extent to which the project will enable the community/region to become
             more diversified and more economically prosperous and will enable dislocated
             workers served by the project regain family supporting jobs and careers.
     3. Relative Strength of Connectedness with Existing Plans and Strategies
          The connectedness of the project with an existing CEDS or equivalent economic
             development and/or workforce development strategies.
     4. Relative Viability of Project
          The ability of the proposed project to realistically achieve the desired results and
             catalyze additional resources;
          The ability of a project to start quickly, create jobs, and assist workers; and,
          The financial or management capability of the applicant.

       NOTE: Any region or community that has an existing DWG or National Emergency
       Grant to respond to coal industry layoffs should coordinate the grant activities with any
       POWER-related economic development planning activities. Any new application for
       POWER DWG funds from an area that has an existing grant for coal industry layoffs
       must describe the coordination of the activities of the POWER DWG and the existing
       grant as part of the project narrative.

8. Use of Funds. POWER DWGs should provide services that are aligned with, and designed
   to support the goals of, the region’s economic development strategy, as well as the
   applicable WIOA Strategic Plan(s) for the area. Applicants should consider providing those
   services that will best ensure participants have the skills and competencies necessary to
   compete for jobs in emerging or targeted industry sectors as identified by planning process.
   The types of activities and services that may be provided are listed below; other potential
   activities and services may be allowed based on consultation with ETA.

   Strategic Planning
   One priority of the POWER DWGs is to align workforce planning with economic planning
   to ensure states and regions are implementing industry-focused approaches to workforce and
   economic development. Regional planning and strategies support dislocated workers by
   assessing the regional economic landscape to identify new or growing employment
   opportunities in the region. They also help ensure partnerships and regional assets from the
   workforce investment system, industry, community colleges, labor unions, nonprofits and
   other stakeholders are aligned and integrated under strategies that can be used to respond to
   economic shocks, such as plant downsizing or closing. These activities may support the
   development of new strategies or updates and expansion of preexisting plans and strategies.


Power DWG partnerships are authorized to use a portion of funds for planning purposes,
with a focus on finalizing and linking workforce development strategies with CEDS or other
relevant economic development plans. Allowable uses of POWER DWG funds for
planning include, but are not limited to:
     Partnership and program development with stakeholders, employers, Registered
        Apprenticeship, etc, including convening regional partners, employers, or other
        stakeholders;
     Acquisition, analysis and utilization of workforce information to identify regional
        trends, including but not limited to labor market information and other state or
        private data;
     Asset mapping and other analysis, such as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities,
        and Threats (SWOT) analysis;
     Developing regional plans;
     Coordinating with state or local Rapid Response units to develop early layoff
        warning systems or other comprehensive layoff aversion strategies to prevent or
        minimize the duration of unemployment for workers in the coal-affected areas that
        are or may be at risk of layoff;
     Outreach for impacted workers in impacted sectors to encourage participation in the
        POWER DWG or in other workforce programs;
     Training for staff in State and local areas necessary to facilitate regional planning
        and implement regional strategies;
     Establishing social and/or peer learning networks among regions using sector
        strategies;
     Identifying and mapping the necessary skills and competencies for in-demand jobs,
        and assessing how well those skills and competencies are reflected in existing
        training programs and curricula; or,
     Identifying aligned industry credentials for those skills and competencies needed.

Up to 25 percent of the proposed grant amount, but not more than $500,000, may be used
for planning purposes.

Program Services
Career Services to Dislocated Workers

Career services provide dislocated workers with the range of services, training, and job
placement assistance they need to fill jobs in identified emerging or other high demand
sectors. Some participants may require re-employment services such as career coaching and
assistance in adapting their skills and experience to new industries, while others may benefit
from short-term and even longer-term training to obtain good jobs. These workers may
require targeted and customized employment assistance and counseling, training, and other
specialized service interventions to succeed in the labor market as rapidly as possible.

Applicants must describe the types of career services, consistent with WIOA and applicable
state and local policies, they will undertake in their proposal which may include:
     Short-term prevocational services, including:
            o Career exploration skills


           o Development of learning skills
           o Communication skills
           o Interviewing skills
           o Punctuality
           o Personal maintenance skills
           o Professional conduct skills
      Internships or work experiences that are linked to careers;
      English-language acquisition programs in coordination with other activities, as
       appropriate for individuals to obtain unsubsidized employment;
      Comprehensive and specialized assessments of the skill levels and service needs of
       dislocated workers, which may include –
           o Diagnostic testing and use of other assessment tools; and
           o In-depth interviewing and evaluation to identify employment barriers and
               development of individual employment plans;
      Career planning (that includes a career pathway approach), job coaching and job
       matching services;
      Identification of appropriate training programs;
      Job development and placement; and,
      Providing referrals to, and coordination with, other programs and services.

Training and Work-Based Training Models

Applicants must discuss the types of career, training or work-based training to be
undertaken under the POWER DWG project— and include a description of how these
strategies will help meet the goals identified by the economic development planning
process. Allowable training and work-based training strategies include:
     Traditional classroom training funded through Individual Training Accounts (ITAs)
     Development and provision of On-the-Job Training projects;
     Pre-apprenticeship training for dislocated workers with linkages to Registered
        Apprenticeships;
     Referrals and support in placing participants into Registered Apprenticeship
        programs, including development of policies for use of ITAs and supportive services
        to support participation in these programs;
     Development of customized/cohort-based training to meet the needs of employers;
     Development and provision of work support activities for workers with barriers to
        employment while in training, including low-wage workers and workers with
        disabilities, such as supportive services, activities during non-traditional hours,
        assistive technology, benefits planning, and the inclusion of onsite child care while
        participating in these activities;
     Updating of curricula and training faculty in existing programs to be better aligned
        with industry needs; and,
     Development and provision of competency-based training strategies that result in
        stackable and/or latticed credentials that are industry recognized.


Selected work-based training models must comply with the following requirements:
     OJT opportunities and customized training must be provided under a contract with
       an employer in the private-nonprofit or for-profit sector:
           o Credential attainment is not required to be a part of OJT, and participants in
              OJT OJT are excluded from the Credential Attainment performance
              indicator. However, grant recipients are strongly encouraged to prioritize
              OJT opportunities to include a formal training component that leads to a
              credential.
           o The parameters associated with OJT in ETA’s current OJT guidance, TEGLs
              4-10 and 16-12, apply to any OJT opportunities offered under the POWER
              DWG, notwithstanding the definition of prolonged unemployed contained in
              these guidance documents and the OJT reimbursement rate allowed in TEGL
              4-10.
           o The application should identify the employer reimbursement rate for OJT.
              Generally it is 50 percent of a participant’s wage rate, however, the Governor
              or local board in the area may have increased it to 75 percent based on certain
              factors, consistent with WIOA sec. 134(c)(3)(H). Applicants should use the
              reimbursement rate consistent with the rate used for the area’s WIOA
              dislocated worker program.

For non-work-based training, project operators must limit the training opportunities
provided to training providers listed in their Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL),
although project operators may issue training contracts as provided in section 134(c)(3)(G)
of WIOA, as proposed training programs must have demonstrated success in serving the
targeted population. Additionally, project operators should give preference to competency-
based education and training that results in stackable, industry-recognized credentials.

NOTE: The purpose of the POWER DWG is to provide support for dislocated workers who
are currently unemployed. Grantees may become aware of companies directly or indirectly
affected by coal economy closures or downsizings that have not yet announced layoffs or
where workers remain at risk of layoff. In such circumstances, POWER grantees are
encouraged to coordinate or partner with state or local Rapid Response teams to conduct
layoff aversion efforts. POWER DWG funds may not be used to provide services for
workers who are not eligible dislocated workers, but Rapid Response funds may be used for
this purpose. There are many possible strategies and activities that might be applicable;
applicants are encouraged to review the list included in the WIOA Regulations at Section
682.320; while not exhaustive, this list may help inform potential activities to be included.

Close coordination with the state or local Rapid Response unit is critical in ensuring timely,
successful layoff aversion strategies and activites, and POWER grantees are encouraged to
maintain such partnerships throughout the life of the POWER grant.

Supportive Services

Supportive Services are also authorized for particpiants in POWER DWG projects;
allowable supportive services include, but are not limited to:


           Assistance with transportation;
           Assistance with child care and dependent care;
           Linkages to community services;
           Assistance with Housing;
           Needs-Related Payments (available only to individuals enrolled in training services
            and is consistent with 680.930, 680.940, 680.950, 680.960, and 680.970 )
           Assistance with educational testing;
           Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities;
           Referrals to health care;
           Assistance with uniforms or other appropriate work attire and work-related tools,
            including such items as eye glasses and protective eye gear;
           Assistance with books, fees, school supplies, and other necessary items for students
            enrolled in post-secondary education classes;
           Payments and fees for employment and training-related applications, tests, and
            certifications; and
           Legal aid services.

9. Application Period. POWER DWG applications will be accepted through the end of PY
   2017, or until the funds reserved for this initiative have been expended, whichever is sooner.

10. Awards. POWER DWG awards will range from $500,000 to $5 million, depending on the
    needs identified in the application, the number of participants to be served, and the amount
    of funds that remain available for award. Supplemental funding may be awarded upon the
    expenditure of the initial funding, based upon demonstrated need, project performance to
    date, and the availability of funds.

   NOTE: Current POWER DWG grantees who received their awards prior to ETA raising the
   grant limit to $5 million and who are in need of additional funding may submit a
   modification through the DWG E-Application system. Additional funding will be
   contingent upon the grantee demonstrating a clear need for these resources.

   Based upon the specific information included in the application, amount of funds remaining
   available, or other factors, ETA may make awards for less than the amount requested by the
   applicant.

11. Funds Availability. Awarded funds will be available for expenditure from the date of
    award for a period that includes the remainder of the PY of award plus two additional PYs.
    However, the Department reserves the right to provide period of performance extensions
    beyond this date, as it deems appropriate and necessary, to achieve the purpose of the
    POWER Initiative.

12. Performance and Fiscal Reporting. To ensure ETA is able to assess the success of
    POWER DWG projects, the collection of accurate, quality data is a critical component of
    financial and performance accountability. To satisfy statutory and regulatory recordkeeping
    and reporting requirements, states and other entities must report characteristics, services
    received, and outcomes of participants served with WIOA funds, including POWER DWGs.


   Such information is necessary to determine the success of these investments. The following
   performance and fiscal reports are required:

   Quarterly WIOA Performance Report
   On July 1, 2016, the performance accountability provision authorized by WIOA became
   operational. Section 116 of WIOA describes performance accountability indicators. The
   WIOA performance indicators apply to POWER DWGs awarded with a grant effective date
   of July 1, 2016 or later.

   The DOL-only Performance Accountability, Information, and Reporting System contains
   the data elements, definitions, and reporting requirements pertaining to DWGs, including
   POWER DWGs. This layout may be found on ETA’s performance website, under
   “Reporting”: https://doleta.gov/performance/pfdocs/ETA-
   9172_DOL%20PIRL_FINAL_V25_062816.pdf.

   Training and Employment Notice 8-16, “Implementation of an Integrated Performance
   Reporting System for Multiple Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and
   Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) Administered Programs,” provides
   additional information on performance reporting requirements.

   Quarterly Progress Reports
   Grantees must submit a Quarterly Progress Report (QPR) (ETA 9104). The QPR provides
   an aggregate count of activities undertaken that quarter, and serves as a regular
   communication vehicle between the grantees and ETA regarding the progress of the project
   towards meeting the specific results and deliverables outlined in the grant application.
   POWER DWG grantees should include a summary of strategic planning activities, funded
   in whole or in part by the POWER DWG, in the QPR comments section.

   Quarterly Fiscal Reports
   All DWG grantees will submit financial reports using the DWG ETA-9130 Financial
   Report. Guidance and instructions can be found in TEGL 2-16, “Revised ETA-9130
   Financial Report, Instructions, and Additional Guidance,” at the following link:
   https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEGL/TEGL_2-16_acc.pdf.

13. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) Statement. According to the PRA, no persons are
    required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid
    OMB Control Number. The Department notes that a Federal agency may not conduct or
    sponsor a collection of information, nor is the public required to respond to a collection of
    information unless it is approved by OMB under the PRA, and displays a currently valid
    OMB Control Number (44 U.S.C. 3507). Also, notwithstanding any other provisions of
    law, no person shall be subject to penalty for failing to comply with a collection of
    information if the collection of information does not display a currently valid OMB Control
    Number (44 U.S.C. 3512). The currently valid OMB Control Number for this collection is
    OMB 1205-0439.


14. Inquiries. Questions about this guidance should be directed to the appropriate ETA
    Regional Office.