Seeking RFPs for In-School Youth Opportunities

March 2, 2011... The Workforce Investment Board (WIB) has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit proposals from organizations interested in operating In-School Youth Opportunities Programs under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) through the Bergen One Stop Career Center.  The WIB oversees the RFP process through its Youth Investment Council, a committee which sets policy related to employment opportunities and career pathways for eligible youth.

The contract period for the RFP is for one year beginning July 1, 2011 and ending June 30, 2012, and can be renewed for a second year without reapplication contingent upon the availability of funds and the applicant’s evaluation of performance.

Youth programs provide comprehensive education and employment preparation services via a skills-based design to eligible low-income youth age fourteen through twenty-one. The targeted youth must reside in Bergen County and have one or more of the following barriers to employment: School dropout; Basic literacy skills deficiency; Homeless, runaway or foster child; Pregnant or parenting; involved in the Juvenile Justice System (is or has been subject to any stage of the criminal justice process); Requires additional assistance to complete an educational program, or to secure and hold a job, due to the following circumstances - youth with a disability or at risk of dropping out of school, due to high suspension or absenteeism levels, or under performance and in danger of not passing the High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA).

Allowable services for youth may include, but are not limited to:

1.      Summer employment opportunities directly linked to academic and occupational learning work experience

2.      Alternative secondary school offerings

3.      Tutoring, study skills training and instruction leading to secondary school completion, including dropout prevention strategies

4.      Internships and job shadowing (paid and unpaid)

5.      Occupational skills training

6.      Leadership development opportunities

7.      Adult mentoring

8.      Basic skills training, this should include addressing literacy issues with links to the One-Stop literacy labs, where applicable.

9.      Development of effective communication (soft skills) that should have a focus on, but not be limited to, instructions on how to: Speak effectively; Listen Actively; Read w/Understanding; Observe  Critically; Cooperate w/Others; Conflict Resolution; Decision Making Skills; Counseling, such as drug and alcohol abuse, career development, work related; Supportive services necessary to enable youth to participate in the program

The proposals, which are due into the WIB by noon, March 18, 2011, will be reviewed and scored by Youth Investment Council readers. The committee will make recommendations for allocations on May 5, 2011.