Illinois Youth Investment Program Technical Assistance, Questions and Answers and Appendices (24-444-80-3356-01)

Technical Assistance Session:

This technical assistance session will provide participants with an overview of the 24-444-80-3356-01 Illinois Youth Investment Program Notice of Funding Opportunity and information on how providers can apply for FY24.

Illinois Youth Investment Program Appendices:

Illinois Youth Investment Program Questions & Answers:

February 6, 2024:

  1. Question: Is there a maximum or cap on the cost per youth participant?
    Answer:     No. There is no a maximum or CAP placed on the per-capita cost per youth for the IYIP program. Not all applications will propose the same programming and services, full-time employment vs part-time employment etc. Applications will be scored according to the programming and services proposed in the application with the expectation that the proposal will be cost effective and efficient.
  2. Question: On the Uniform Application there are two boxes with marks - change/corrected application and revision. Is this considered a continuation grant or a full new grant?
    Answer:     It would be the "New" box that you check on the Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance (UGA). The link below for the UGA is pre-populated for the IYIP (444-80-3356) grant already. (Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance (pdf))
  3. Question: Can the grantee serve as the sole employer or are you required to also engage other employers?
    Answer:     The grantee may serve as the sole employer however there are certain restrictions that will apply, including limits on the number youth. Please refer to the NOFO for additional detail.
  4. Question: We have our own Apprenticeship program. Would it be possible for other grantees to partner with us and send some of their candidates to our program?
    Answer:     Yes.
  5. Question: How many subsidized days in DHS programming make someone ineligible to participate? The minimum hours that a participant can work is 180 hours. What is the maximum number of hours that can be subsidized under the grant? Is there a maximum amount of hours that can be worked in one week? Also, if someone participated in another DHS grant previously with subsidized hours. days, how can I know if they will reach their maximum subsidized days while in our program?
    Answer:     The grant sets a maximum number of weeks that a youth may receive subsidized wages. Provided that the youth has not exceed this period of subsidized wages, the youth would remain eligible until they reach that maximum number of weeks. In the case of this IYIP-SJ program that is 13 weeks. How do we know? DHS requires that youth are enrolled in theIllinois workNet data system. This system tracks the amount of time a youth have received subsidized wages. This will enable you to determine continued eligibility. Further, a youth may still participate in the program even if they are not eligible for subsidized wages. They can be placed un un-subsidized employment and may still receive supportive services.
  6. Question: We are looking to apply for the IYIP. We currently serve Kane and Cook counties. Since this opportunity would only apply for Cook County, does that mean that the youth have to live in Cook County or the opportunities need to happen in Cook County? Just want to make sure I confirmed that before we began putting together our proposal.
    Answer:     The youth would be from the eligible Community for which you submitted the application. In this case, Cook County. Placements may be in Cook or elsewhere. Placements do not need to be limited the same eligible service area, although that is likely where most placements will be.

February 13, 2024:

  1. Question: What are the age limitations for eligible Youth?
    Answer:     16-24
  2. Question: Are we able to roll youth over from this current grant or will we start fresh with new enrollments?
    Answer:     Presuming the current participating youth continue to meet the requirements under the new grant, yes - however the limits in the new NOFO will be inclusive of prior participating time in the program. The grant sets a maximum number of weeks that a youth may receive subsidized wages. Provided that the youth has not exceed this period of subsidized wages, the youth would remain eligible until they reach that maximum number of weeks. How do we know? DHS requires that youth are enrolled in the Illinois WorkNet data system. This system tracks the amount of time a youth have received subsidized wages. This will enable you to determine continued eligibility. Further, a youth may still participate in the program even if they are not eligible for subsidized wages. They can be placed un un-subsidized employment and may still receive supportive services.
  3. Question: Can we submit multiple IYIP applications to provide different trainings in the same service area? For instance, I will submit the following applications for Cook: 1. Pre-Apprenticeship training 2. Manufacturing training 3. IT training 4. CDL training
    Answer:     What you describe would be a single application. You are offering a single program with multiple placement options.
  4. Question: Is there a "advantage" to submitting a LOI if it is not required.
    Answer:     Organizations who submit a letter of interest (LOI) may receive updates, clarifications, FAQs, reminders, etc. regarding the NOFO.
  5. Question: For each program, do we need to send separate responses?
    Answer:     Providers will NOT be funded for both IYIP and IYIP Summer Jobs in the same County. Note: IYIP NOFO allows for short-term summer programming - however, for IYIP you must also do programming under the NOFO during other, non-Summer months. If you are interested in ONLY summer Jobs, then you need to apply for the IYIP Summer Jobs NOFO
  6. Question: How many subsidized days in DHS will make someone ineligible to participate?
    Answer:     For short term - 13 weeks (3 months) for long term 26 weeks (6 months)
  7. Question: Any guideline for hourly rate?
    Answer:     Maximum wage subsidy - $17 per hour - must be at least minimum wage etc. Youth may receive a higher wage, however, the grant may not cover more than $17 per hour.
  8. Question: If we are offering year-round, short-term, including summer, do we need to distinguish summer services in any way?
    Answer:     Short term vs long term yes. For short-term not necessarily, however you will want to make plan for short term is clear in your application so that the reviewers understand your intentions. Will you accept youth at any time and begin programming etc or will you operate cohorts that begin at certain times, or something different.
  9. Question: What is the cost per youth for short- and long-term employment (cost for each)?
    Answer:     This is not dictated for IYIP. However, DHS expects to fund cost effective and efficient applications/plans.
  10. Question: If we provide services in more than one of the eligible counties, should we submit a separate application for each county we operate in?
    Answer:     You must submit a separate application for each eligible county.
  11. Question: With 180 hours as a minimum for both short and long-term programming, what is the maximum number of hours that can be subsidized under the grant?
    Answer:     180 hours is minimum for short term. There is no minimum for long term - long term is expected to result in "long term" employment. if there is not an expectation for continued ongoing employment then it is likely short-term.
    There is not a maximum number of hours, rather a maximum number of weeks that a subsidy may be paid, this varies between short-term and long-term.
  12. Question: Is there a 180-hour minimum work requirement for the long-term programming or just the short term programming?
    Answer:     Short-term - see above. There is no minimum work requirement for long-term, the goal is long-term unsubsidized employment. it is not necessary for every placement to be subsidized. In fact, the more youth we are able to place in unsubsidized employment, or convert to unsubsidized employment quickly, the more youth we will be able to serve. We want these kids to secure and maintain employment.
  13. Question: Are you required to serve the entire county, or can you propose to serve neighborhoods/areas within the county?
    Answer:     You may define your own service area within the eligible service area.
  14. Question: Does this NOFO replace the current GI-YIS grant?
    Answer:     This NOFO replaces the current IYIP grant program. This NOFO does not replace any RPSA grant program. in other words - you could receive both an IYIP grant and a GI-YIS grant in the same service area.
  15. Question: Can we write grant focusing on one city only or does it have to be the county?
    Answer:     It is not necessary to propose services throughout the entire county.
  16. Question: As a new organization with a lot of experience with IYIP. Are we eligible for full IYIP or should we submit for summer with a possibility to be moved to full?
    Answer:     It would not be possible to be moved from the IYIP Summer Jobs grant to the IYIP grant. Please apply for the grant that you want to implement.
  17. Question: Is Kankakee County within the selected counties for funding?
    Answer:     No, it is not in IYIP. However, it is eligible under the IYIP Summer Jobs Program NOFO.
  18. Question: Seeking clarification, Does IDHS provide the programming, or can we establish our own Training and job readiness training?
    Answer:     There are job readiness requirements in the NOFO that must be met, you may provide additional services as well.
  19. Question: Could you please clarify with examples: how summer vs long term employment together would not be valid?
    Answer:     The IYIP NOFO allows for BOTH short- and long-term employment. there is not a need to have a separate IYIP summer jobs grant as the IYIP NOFO allows for summer programming in addition to long term.
  20. Question: If our program does not get funded though this year-round NOFO is there a way to still be considered for only summer jobs? Since we cannot apply for both.
    Answer:     You CAN apply for both; However, you will not receive a grant for both in the same county. Only one would be funded.
  21. Question: In addition to the required forms, is there a specific form to describe our program, goals, etc. Should the detailed description be typed up separately. Answer: There is not a form for the narrative portion.
  22. Question: For our budget we would like to know the maximum amount that can be paid for youth in the summer month and the youth in the long-term program. For example, for long-term $10,000 per youth short-term $7,000 maximum amount per youth. Please advise.
    Answer:     There is not a maximum prescribed in the NOFO. Also, please note that you can operate both long-term AND Short-term programming during the summer months.
  23. Question: Can you provide a budget template? If we are not a brick and mortar as of now, and we anticipate partnerships for a location to provide programming how do we describe that in the program narrative?
    Answer:     This will be described in the program narrative - in the agency capacity section and when describing readiness for the program and timelines etc. And possibly in the budget narrative section.
  24. Question: Do employer agreements need to be attached to the application?
    Answer:     If you have secured them yes, it will help strengthen your application.
  25. Question: Can the Grantee also be the employer?
    Answer:     Yes - please see the restrictions laid out in the NOFO.
  26. Question: Can one institute apply summer programs for two counties?
    Answer:     Yes - separate applications would be required.
  27. Question: What is the timeline for the short-term summer program?
    Answer:     Generally, Summer coincides with the period of time youth are on summer break from school - however this may be extended on both ends.
  28. Question: This question is more for the future rather than the current grant on offer, and I apologize for how wordy it is. My organization is based in and operates in Peoria County. We're in the process of starting up a new program that focuses on supporting teen moms, and the house we've acquired for use of moms in residence is in Tazewell County (services there will not be exclusive to Tazewell County residents). Would it be allowable to include residents of this facility to participate in IYIP services since the core organization is based in an eligible county?
    Answer:     Unfortunately, what you described would not be eligible. The program would need to serve youth from the eligible service area. Placements however could be outside of the county.
  29. Question: If the organization is a worksite provider for AmeriCorps, how does IYIP view that partnership or how does that play a part in the IYIP grant?
    Answer:     If you are not planning to place youth in your AC program or in other AC programs, then there is no impact.
  30. Question: For short-term programs, does there still have to be an agreement with employer that shows employment will continue beyond the program?
    Answer:     Agreements are still required but correct it will not need to indicate the employment will continue beyond.
  31. Question: Will electronic timesheets (with electronic signatures) be accepted from employers?
    Answer:     I believe yes - but provider will need to confirm that proper systems are in place at the employer to prevent fraud.

February 15, 2024:

  1. Question: Have any of these changed significantly since the grant was last released in 2020?
    Answer:     The short term has changed the most as it is no longer limited to summer months.
  2. Question: Would IYIP consider if a Youth has begun his/her work-based learning in Illinois but went to college and wanted to continue their work base learning in their pre-apprenticeship, could she/he finish in another state not neighboring Illinois. Example, if we had a youth in the pharmacy tech program who will attend FAMU (Florida) can he continue his pre-apprenticeship with Walgreens?
    Answer:     This seems to be more of a question for the pre-apprenticeship program, if you are asking if the grant can cover stipends or incentives while participating in Florida - no.
  3. Question: Will the self-assessment be provided by IDHS, or will there be guidelines for the assessment?
    Answer:     The Essential Employability Skills assessment will be provided.
  4. Question: Do successful grantees need to offer all support services on the list (except those identified as optional)?
    Answer:     Required services must be provided. not all youth will require every service.
  5. Question: What guidance can be provided regarding the ideal number of youth to be served (ballpark number) and/or an ideal per youth cost ratio?
    Answer:     There is not guidance provided in the NOFO. You will propose what you need to do what you are proposing.
  6. Question: For participants placed at our grantee, is it 10 per cohort, or per year?
    Answer:     10 per year
  7. Question: So, can we opt to do short-term placements only?
    Answer:     YES, however, it must be at multiple times throughout the year or continuous - it CANNOT be only during the summer.
  8. Question: Can we opt for both short term and long-term options within our program with one proposal?
    Answer:     YES
  9. Question: Can grant money be used to hire staff?
    Answer:     Yes
  10. Question: Can one organization apply for this NOFO and the Summer Jobs NOFO if the applications serve different counties? (I saw above that we can't receive funding for both if the projects are in the same county)
    Answer:     Yes
  11. Question: Is the 10 weeks of employment for summer program or is it for long-term?
    Answer:     Nothing is 10 weeks. The maximum length of time a youth may receive a subsidized wage for short-term is 13 weeks (3 months) and for long-term it is 26 weeks (6 months).
  12. Question: For current enrollees transferring over to the new program year,) will their time start over? Or is it a continuation from the previous program year?
    Answer:     Continuation presuming, they continue to be eligible up to the maximum allowed under the new NOFO.
  13. Question: Can you give me an example of a pre-apprentice experience in the summer program.
    Answer:     Please refer to the Appendix Definitions (docx)
  14. Question: If we are offering subsidized employment for a max of 10 youth for 180 hours each at $17/hour that's about 30K total we can request to pay youth, correct?
    Answer:     Approximately yes - 180 is the minimum required hours.
  15. Question: How many youths roughly should we serve in short-term programming? I apologize if this was already answered.
    Answer:     There is not a minimum or maximum number - apply for what you are reasonably able to achieve.
  16. Question: Can we focus on one city only and not county?
    Answer:     Yes
  17. Question: The "lanes" of types of industries -- do these apply to short-term as well as long-term?
    Answer:     Yes
  18. Question: One institute can submit for multiple counties, right?
    Answer:     Yes
  19. Question: Is there a limit on total funding? What is the Cap? Will we be able to request for more?
    Answer:     There is no cap - please refer to the amount of available funding and the projected number of expected grants to be made.
  20. Question: Are youth eligible to participate in more than one short-term apprenticeship program? For instance, Apprenticeship one: Writers Room Assistant. 180 hours. Apprenticeship two: Archival Research Assistant. 180 hours.
    Answer:     Yes if they complete the first - up to the max subsidy eligibility per youth (6 months 26 weeks)
  21. Question: At what point should applicants register for the CSA Tracking system?
    Answer:     Now
  22. Question: is there a required threshold for the percentage that things like transportation can represent for the program(s)?
    Answer:     No.
  23. Question: Does a youth being served in Peoria County have to be employed within Peoria County? The next closest city to us is across the river in Tazewell County.
    Answer:     No
  24. Question: I am still a bit confused about the limit on subsidized wages. Is there a limit on the number of subsidized pay hours youth can work in short-term programs? in long-term programs? I realize the youth can be employed longer, but is there a limit on subsidized hours per youth?
    Answer:     The limit is on the length of time a youth is eligible for a subsidy, not the number of hours worked during this time. for short-term, If the youth begins subsidized placement on March 1, they will have up to 13 weeks of eligible subsidies. If the youth fails this placement 3 weeks in, they will still have 10 weeks of eligible subsidized employment left.
  25. Question: Can you provide a sample budget?
    Answer:     Unfortunately No. Please refer to the NOFO for guidance.
  26. Question: Is there a maximum application amount?
    Answer:     There is not - please keep in mind the total amount of available funding for this NOFO and the projected number of grants to be awarded.
  27. Question: Since, it is supposed to start 4/1 when will we receive notification of funding? Do you have to be approved in CSA before funding?
    Answer:     We are hoping to notify you 2 weeks prior to the start date. You will be notified of your selection, or not, prior to needing to finalize your budget. You are correct that your budget must be approved prior to DHS issuing the grant agreement.
  28. Question: Do we need to separate the short-term programming expenses and long term programming expenses in the budget in CSA, or can they be combined in the expense category lines?
    Answer:     In CSA they will be combined.
  29. Question: What is the avg award size/ number of participants?
    Answer:     Awards will vary based on proposed activities. Please keep in mind the total amount of available funding for this NOFO and the projected number of grants to be awarded.
  30. Question: Just for clarity, the de-minimus rate is still 10% and not 15% unless we have a NICRA approved rate, correct?
    Answer:     Correct
  31. Question: For the summer youth short term program, even if it is for the summer, we can do the budget for the whole year (12 months) from 4/1/24-3/31/2025?
    Answer:     For this NOFO you must provide MORE than short-term summer programming.
  32. Question: As a new organization without established seniority but with experience, what will be our chance for receiving full IYIP.
    Answer:     While I cannot give you a projection, I do encourage you to apply!
  33. Question: If Institute was approved for youth - summer program, on last year, successfully completed this program , is there any preferences for such institute ?
    Answer:     No - however, there are application sections that require you to describe your experience, capacity etc. a well written application describing your experience should come through and result in a good score - your experience must be well described etc.
  34. Question: Can we not continue this year clients (roll them over) and complete their assignments 3/31/2024?
    Answer:     You can so long as the maximum subsidy eligibility under this NOFO has not been exceeded.
  35. Question: Is there no maximum number (ballpark) that each grantee can request?
    Answer:     There is no maximum. This depends on your type of program and what it includes.
  36. Question: Are there categories I-IV, or simply "short-term" (3 months) and "long-term" clients (not to exceed 6 months)?
    Answer:     Correct - the prior categories are no longer.
  37. Question: Can IDHS AIYIP participants complete programming in IYIP?
    Answer:     Yes - provided that they remain eligible under the NOFO maximums.
  38. Question: If the NICRA percentage is more than 15%, will you accept the NICRA percentage, or do we need to adhere to 15%?
    Answer:     15%
  39. Question: What if the pdf application is too large to email?
    Answer:     Email / call us we will assist - please leave yourself time for this.
  40. Question: Is this program likely to be funded again -- that is a NOFO released again-- in 2025?
    Answer:     Successful applicants may receive up to 2 additional 1-year renewals. It is not anticipated that another competitive application will be available until that period expires - unless of course there is a significant increase to the appropriation that funds the program, if this occurs, DHS will consider releasing another competitive NOFO. this is not anticipated at this time.
  41. Question: Apologies if this was answered already. I know that we're able to apply for both short and long term and can only receive 1. Do we also then need to submit a budget for both in order to hear back?
    Answer:     Yes - each application will require a separate budget.
  42. Question: So, if I understand you correctly -- there is not likely to be another NOFO until 2026
    Answer:     It will likely be 3 years before another competitive NOFO is released for IYIP/ while it is possible, it is not likely.
  43. Question: For the budgets, we need to separate with a 3 month and a 6 month.
    Answer:     Yes. you will have a 12-month budget that will be split across 2 separate state FY grants. In the CSA system you will enter a 3-month budget for FY24 and a 9 month budget for FY25.
  44. Question: There's a section under program summary in the NOFO that states applicants may propose in the same application a combination of short term, long term and career development programming. Can you please provide an example of what outcomes would like for a combination of these components that are otherwise separately discussed throughout the application?
    Answer:     The performance measures expectations can be found in Section B towards the end. Performance Measures and Performance Standards.
  45. Question: how can we download/print the budget via CSA?
    Answer:     There will be instructions in the CSA to print - if you have trouble email the email address in the NOFO and we can assist.
  46. Question: What is the difference between the two notices of funding?
    Answer:     The difference is that this funding notice will allow you to do short, long, and various career development/training programs; requiring you to do more than summer programming. The other the funding notice is only for short term summer program.
  47. Question: can the grant be used for Mental health services that may be needed as part of the employment preparation for the youths?
    Answer:     Yes
  48. Question: Geographic - the initial rollout of this program would be specifically with adults in DuPage County. There were others on the call this morning who referenced a request for opportunities that may serve counties not listed in this NOFO. If there are opportunities like this, if you would be able to share those with me, we would be most grateful.
    Answer:     Below is a link to the other youth employment NOFO -IYIP-Summer Jobs Program. Illinois Youth Investment Program - Summer Jobs (IYIP-SJ) FY 24/25 Notice of Funding Opportunity (24-444-80-3357-01)
  49. Question: I am reviewing the NOFO and associated required documents for the FY24/25 Notice of Funding Opportunity (24-444-80-3356-01) and I noticed in the appendix page, the Uniform Grant Application form is missing. I did not see it linked in the "mandatory forms" section of the NOFO itself. Can you share this?
    Answer:     We apologize, the lllinois Youth Investment Program Technical Assistance, Questions and Answers and Appendices (24-444-80-3356-01) page has been updated to include the Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance and also can be found here: GA - Illinois Youth Investment Program (24-444-80-3356-01)
  50. Question: We have paid students for Work-Based Learning, but not for career development experience. Could you please clarify what that would look like and how we might pay students for Career Development experiences? Does this mean time earning credentials, job shadows, resume writing workshops, etc? 
     Answer:     Please refer to the Appendix Definitions (docx)
  51. Question: Is there any type of information we could provide on IL workNet and some of the requirements?
    Answer:     All youth will be enrolled into the system. Various data points will be collected on the youth and on the services provided. Many of the work readiness activities that are required will be contained in the system. for reference, a ink to the system is included here: Illinois workNet
  52. Question: Which line item should we use for participant support services i.e., transportation, uniforms, GED/SAT/ACT tutoring, childcare, etc.
    Answer:     You would use the Grant Exclusive Line Item section of the budget for youth expenditures such as transportation assistance, support services, academic tutoring, childcare, etc.
  53. Question: If we are a Sub-recipient, can we apply for the summer Program only on our own.
    Answer:     Yes - however, you may not be a subrecipient for short-term summer employment or IYIP Summer Jobs
  54. Question: According to the NOFO if you're a new IDHS grantee provider will need to contact their IDHS division or the IDHS contact person on the NOFO to enter their organization information in the CSA system. Who can I contact to help me?
    Answer:     You will need to email the Bureau of Positive Youth Development at the following address: DHS.PositiveYouthDevelopment@illinois.gov with your request. Then, you will be contacted for details regarding your organization. Then you will receive a registration invite via email for the CSA system.
    1. Question: Timeline - As this program is developing between our two organizations, our intent is to begin offering it in July 2024 and ongoing after that date. If we were to be able to apply, is it possible that the launch being in July would still fit for the FY2025 quarters prior to the extension opportunities? 
      Answer:       Per the funding notice (NOFO) for IYIP, The selected provider will begin providing services 30 to 60 days following the contract start date. Applicants will submit an implementation timeline which will include program milestones, hiring staff, training, start dates, etc. (Refer to Section D. 3 Content and Form of Application Submission, b. Capacity for details)

February 16, 2024:

  1. Question: I have a youth applicant who has an Indiana ID that doesn't expire until 2028, but is currently an Illinois resident. She has utility bills supporting residency in IL. Can we enroll her into IYIP if we couple utility bills with an IL residency self-attestation? 
    Answer:     Sure, but part of your work with her needs to include working with her to attain an Illinois state ID and or Driver's License. This should be done upon enrollment.
  2. Questions: Should subrecipient budgets be submitted as a single 12-month budget or as an FY24 budget and FY25 budget as the program spans 2 fiscal years?
    Answer:     For the Application a single 12-month budget would be acceptable. However, as the grantee you will need to know how much the subrecipient will need in each separate fiscal year as only those amounts will be included in YOUR budget. You will need to understand how the amounts are split as you will be responsible for monitoring their expenditures etc. Per 2CFR200.

February 20, 2024:

  1. Question: Does the long-term have to include career development?
    Answer:     No. It can simply be long-term employment opportunities.
  2. Question: When it comes to planning and budgeting everything is projected off of 12 months correct?
    Answer:     Yes. However, when preparing your actual budgets in the CSA system you will determine the portion of that 12-month funding that will be needed in each separate fiscal year award. This will be the basis for your grant awards each year.
  3. Question: Will the NOFO be renewable for year 1?
    Answer:     The NOFO will be renewable for up to 2 additional grant terms.

February 21, 2024:

  1. Question: Is it correct that although long-term programming requires participants to be placed in the 17 nationally recognized clusters, short-term programming applicants do not need to be limited to those 17 when placing participants in employment?
    Answer:     All placements should be in positions that would fall under one of the 17 areas.
  2. Question: Is it necessary to complete the CSA process individually for each site?
    Answer:     Each application you submit will have corresponding budgets entered into the CSA system. Note: a single application may have multiple service site locations and multiple work placements and multiple placement types. You only need to submit multiple applications if you are applying to provide services in multiple eligible service areas. 
  3. Question: Given that my agency has previously been awarded funding through the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) and has successfully completed the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) verification last year, would we need to undergo the verification process again for this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)? 
    Answer:     Yes. Each State Fiscal year a new Financial Risk Assessment (ICQ) is required for your organization. All applicants must be registered in the GATA grantee portal and must be pre-qualified.
  4. Question: Can an LOI be submitted in lieu of the full application?
    Answer:     No
  5. Question: When is the LOI due?
    Answer:     Anytime, however, you will only receive communication AFTER we receive your LOI, you will not receive past communications.
  6. Question: An LOI is not submitted for summer employment?
    Answer:     You may submit a LOI at anytime. It is NOT a requirement for you to submit a Letter of Intent in order to apply for the grant.
  7. Question: Is a full application required if the City is already facilitating a similar program?
    Answer:     Yes
  8. Question: Is there an extension for the March 4th deadline?
    Answer:     No
  9. Question: We have relationships with Trucking schools, will we be able to pay for students to enroll in a CDL program and be their support system to make sure they complete the 12 week program and obtain CDL license?
    Answer:     Yes
  10. Question: Does each equipment line item need to be under $5,000?
    Answer:     Yes. An applicant organization may classify equipment at a lower dollar value but cannot classify it higher than $5,000. Also, you must explain how the equipment is necessary for the success of the project in your budget narrative in the CSA system.

February 27, 2024:

  1. Question: For the long-term employment category, are we able to stagger participants by dividing them up with different enrollment dates? For example, can we enroll and place half of our total participants before June 31 and then enroll and place the other half after July 1st?
    Answer:     Yes - we will siply expect you to meet your projected numbers over the 12-month grant term.
  2. Question: Are we able to run 1 cohort during a short-term 3-month program from (April to June 2024) and 3 Cohorts, during the long-term 9-month program same as the short-term program (cohort 1) with meeting all 180 hours requirements?
    1. Example: For 3 Months (Short-term)
      1st cohort FY24: April, May, June
    2. For 9 months(long-term)
      2nd Cohort FY25: July, August, September
      3rd Cohort FY25: October, November, December
      4th Cohort FY 25: January, February, March
      Answer:       What you have described is Short-term employment with 4 separate cohorts - yes this will be allowed. That said - none of what you described constitutes long-term employment.
  3. Question: does the IYIP short term programming allow us to employ year-long program related staff/admins, who will be responsible for facilitating the short-term programming with different cohort of students throughout the year?
    Answer:     Yes
  4. Question: We are filling out the budget template where would the cost per youth go?
    Answer:     This will not go in the Budget. This will go in your program narrative Executive Summary.
  5. Question: For program narrative- capacity, need, quality etc. Are these word docs or something we can print off and fill in?
    Answer:     You will create your narrative - Yes Word is okay.

February 28, 2024:

  1. Question: For an applicant where receiving the Working Capital Advance would be critical to their successful participation in the program - as a small-to-midsize nonprofit without the cash reserve capacity to cover early grant expenditures - does IDHS consider it to be a permissible approach to structure the proposed project timeline and grant budget to reflect that? For example, for the full-year program, we may project beginning the program say in June, so that April and May allow sufficient time for the grant agreement to be executed, a working capital advance to be requested/reviewed (allowing for any delays with that process), and those initial funds would be received in order to make possible a smooth launch of program activity in June. Or will proposals from organizations that have the financial capacity to launch on April 1 likely be prioritized for this grant?
    Answer:     Any working capital advance that would be issued under the FY24 portion of the agreement will NOT be carried forward into the FY25 grant. You would be able to receive the working capital advance for each separate grant period (FY24 and FY25). Refer to the NOFO under Post Award Requirements, Start Date: Selected providers will begin providing services 30-60 days following the contract start date. 
  2. Question: Does the wage subsidy include the hourly wages and the employer payroll taxes? Or are the grant funds limited to hourly wages only?
    Answer:     The maximum rate that the grant can cover is $17 - this refers to wages, the grant can also be used for the related employer payroll taxes.
  3. Question: Can you please provide information on what the differences would be between the following two questions?
    Describe in detail the overall program design, methodology, activities, processes; steps, etc. that clearly reflects implementation/operationalization of the Program Deliverables identified in Section A7. Describe how the program design will ensure a holistic and developmentally appropriate approach to serving youth. Demonstrate how the Performance Measures will be achieved through the design of the program.
    Describe in detail how the proposed program will ensure implementation of EACH of the Program Requirements identified in Section A7, Program Requirements.
    I believe in the second question, it should read Section A7, Program Deliverables? There is no heading for Program Requirements. Assuming that, it is hard to understand the difference between these questions. It sounds like they are both describing how these deliverables will be met.
    Answer:     The first question asks the applicant to describe in detail the overall program design, methodology, activities, processes; steps, etc.
    The second questions asks the applicant to describe how the program will ensure implementation of EACH of the program requirements. For clarification, it should read "Describe in detail how the proposed program will ensure implementation of EACH of the Program Deliverables identified in Section A7, Program Deliverables".
  4. Question: Are we required to take taxes out of their pay or can participants receive a 1099 at the end of the year?
    Answer:     Yes, all the normal taxes must be taken out of an enrolled youth's paycheck the same as any other job even when a youth is in subsidized employment.