The Latino Coalition for Community Leadership (LCCL) is expanding the successful Colorado Work and Gain Education & Employment Skills (WAGEES) program that began on January 1, 2015. The WAGEES program focuses on sets of services provided by local community and faith based non-profits (CFBOs) to integrate people returning from prison back into community. The LCCL provides grant funding, technical assistance, capacity building and data systems to support the unique program design of each community partner. The Colorado General Assembly passed HB18-1176 increasing WAGEES program grant funding.
Program Outcomes
Up to one grant may be awarded to a CFBO to improve the employment prospects of eligible people on parole or inmate status (referred to throughout as participants) assessed to be medium to high risk for recidivism by the Division of Adult Parole and individuals discharged from prison. The focus of the grants is to achieve one or more of the following outcomes;
- increase the employment rate of program,
- increase the rate at which participants receive high school diplomas (or equivalent) or industry-recognized credentials,
- increase the rate at which participants enter post-secondary education and long-term vocational training and
- increase participant stability through attainment of housing, physical or behavioral health services.
The goal is to facilitate successful re-entry and decrease the recidivism rate of medium to high-risk participants.
Target Areas
The grant award will target Pueblo county and the surrounding area.
Eligibility
The WAGEES project is designed to support organizational development and program delivery that is integrated with ongoing technical assistance and capacity building. Preferred organizations will meet the following criteria:
- Be a non-profit organization or any Indian or Native American entity,
- Have demonstrated experience working with the target participants,
- Have a track-record of achieving positive outcomes with target participants,
- Currently provide services within the target area proposed,
- Be able to develop and maintain partnerships with state correctional agencies, local parole offices, local drug and alcohol treatment centers and local workforce investment boards,
- Provide documentation that their organization is in good standing with the CO Secretary of State,
- Agree to participate in trainings conducted or sponsored by the CDOC or LCCL,
- Agree to perform timely data entry into the LCCL and CDOC data systems,
- Agree to have staff, volunteers or contractors submit to a criminal background check (the existence of a criminal background is not grounds for automatic denial and will be considered on a case by case basis especially in circumstances in which the individual is still under supervision),
- Provide services directly or through linkages with established and reputable entities, and although not required, matching-funds and/or in-kind contributions are encouraged.
- Note: For-profit organizations and units of government are not eligible to apply.
Bidder’s Conference
The LCCL hosted via Zoom webinar two bidder’s conferences on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 and on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 so that interested parties and applicants could learn more about the LCCL, WAGEES Program, and the RFP process as well as ask questions. Attendance at the Bidder’s Conference is not mandatory to apply.
Request for Proposal Documents
The documents below provide the guidance and requirements for submitting a proposal to be considered for WAGEES grant funding. The LCCL highly recommends downloading the latest free version of Adobe Reader DC which can be found at the bottom of this page. The recent versions of Adobe Reader DC allow Proposers to enter and save information into the proposal form provided below.
WAGEES Budget and Narrative Worksheet
If you have any issues downloading these documents, please try using a different internet browser other than Google Chrome (we recommend Firefox or Safari), or contact Annette Bernal, WAGEES Program Manager, for assistance.
UI Report- WAGEES Investing Justice Resources. The research report highlights the lessons learned from the WAGEES program. The LCCL highly recommends that you read this report to gain a comprehensive understanding of the WAGEES program and how it is changing the landscape of reentry and public safety.
Deadline for Submission of Proposals
In order to be considered for funding, the proposal, budget and budget narrative must be electronically submitted through Submittable (instructions follow) no later than 5:00 p.m. MT, on March 31, 2022. Submission of proposal documents via email is not acceptable and will be rejected.
Submittable:
- Create an account (email required) at www.latinocoalition.submittable.com
- Search for “Colorado WAGEES RFP” or click on the button below.
- Complete all required fields in the grant application. Submittable automatically saves your work to return later. The completed form must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. MT on March 31, 2022.
Free Adobe Reader DC Download Link