2025 Adult Literacy Innovations Initiative

Applicants are invited to apply for the Adult Literacy Innovations Initiative. Donor Name: New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development State: New Jersey County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 09/30/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: NJDOL is proposing partnerships and workforce development activities statewide to assist youth and adults with adult literacy, digital literacy, family literacy, and building the skills, training, and work experience necessary to obtain and retain unsubsidized regular employment that leads them to self-sufficiency. The goals of Literacy Innovations grant include: The facilitation of community partnerships that are central to overcoming employment barriers of recipients with low literacy levels. Ensure participants are assessed and Individual Employment Plans (IEP) are developed for the timely delivery of appropriate and necessary education, career-training, and support activities to individuals. Design and provide educational programs for the targeted population to increase literacy and work towards unsubsidized employment opportunities and retention. Design career pathways to in demand professions, as well as develop ties to employers. Funding Information The amount of funding available for this program in Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) is estimated to be $3,000,000 of through the New Jersey Supplemental Workforce Fund for Basic Skills (SWFBS), and is contingent upon the availability of funding. The grant period is estimated to begin November 1, 2024, and end September 30, 2026. Target Populations In accordance with program requirements, Adult Literacy Innovations applicants must fully design and disclose the type(s) of programs proposed, fully describe the role of any partner programs involved, and the intended clients, if funded. Additional considerations for clients served under this grant include: Must be legally eligible to work in the United States. Must be a resident of New Jersey. Must demonstrate a need for basic skills enhancement or training/education connected to career obtainment. Must identify an attainable goal and/or outcome. Must be able to communicate/comprehend English at a Low Intermediate level if enrolled in a credential bearing program. Must be at least 16 years of age, not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school and have a signed Consent of Non-Enrollment (ages 16-21). Eligibility Criteria  New Jersey Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) must apply as the program lead and may propose to work in in conjunction with the One Stop Career Center (OSCC) and local New Jersey partner agencies including non-profits, libraries, and educational institutions. All proposed partners must have demonstrated experience in serving the targeted population and this must be made evident within the NGO application. Co-enrollment across programs is expected and to be documented. WDBs are legally contracted entities and as such, are responsible for annual audits of the program and program year monitoring in conjunction with DOL. Program files should be available upon request to those requesting for review. WDBs must designate a Program Supervisor to oversee program development, policies, monitoring, communication, billing, and to attend quarterly meetings. For more information, visit DLWD.