Latino Coalition for Community Leadership

Colorado WAGEES

Colorado WAGEES Program Expansion

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 nine (9) grants may be awarded to CFBOs 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. 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

Grants will target approximately 9 of 10 geographic areas:

  1. Alamosa or surrounding area
  2. Canon City or surrounding area
  3. Colorado Springs
  4. Durango, Cortez or surrounding area
  5. Glenwood Springs, Rifle or surrounding area
  6. La Junta or surrounding area
  7. Longmont or surrounding area
  8. Montrose or surrounding area
  9. Sterling, Akron or surrounding area
  10. South Denver, Englewood, Golden, Lakewood or Adams County

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 good 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 of 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 having staff, volunteers or contractors submit to a criminal background check,
  • 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 will host via webinar four bidder’s conferences so interested parties and applicants can learn more about the LCCL, WAGEES Program and the RFP process as well as ask questions.  Please register for one of the four webinars using the links below for the desired date.

CO WAGEES Bidders Conference

Registration Required: Please register for one of the bidders conference options shared below.

Thursday, July 19that 10:00 am
Register in advance here for this meeting.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Thursday, July 19th at 2:00 pm
Register in advance here for this meeting.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Thursday, July 26th at 10:00 am
Register in advance here for this meeting.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Thursday, July 26th at 2:00 pm
Register in advance here for this meeting.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Frequently Asked Questions from the July 18 and July 26 Bidders Conference: WAGEES RFP FAQs 2018

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 FY18-19 RFP Guidance Final

WAGEES FY 18-19 Proposal Form

WAGEES FY 18-19 Budget and Narrative Template

 

Urban Institute Research Report on WAGEES

The research report highlights the lessons learned from the WAGEES program.  The LCCL highly recommends that your read this report to gain a comprehensive understanding of the WAGEES program and how it is changing the landscape of reentry and public safety.

UI WAGEES Research Report-WAGEES

 

Free Adobe Reader DC Download Link (Recommended): https://get.adobe.com/reader/