The State of Oregon, acting by and through its Department of Education, (“Agency”), on behalf of the Youth Development Division (YDD) is issuing this Request for Grant Applications (“RFA”) with the intent to award multiple grants to eligible entities to support the reengagement of youth in Oregon through the YDD Reengagement Opportunity portfolio of grants.
Donor Name: Youth Development Division
State: Oregon
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/01/2023
Size of the Grant: $75,000 to $250,000
Grant Duration: 2 years
Details:
Reengagement Opportunity Grants (“ROG”) serve local communities across the state to reengage in education youth ages 14-24 who left high school, or are at imminent risk of leaving, before earning a high school diploma or its equivalent. The goal of the ROG is to assist youth in achieving a high school diploma or its equivalent and set them on a career or educational pathway. Reengagement programs help youth achieve equitable education and career outcomes through Reengagement Services and activities.
Goals
Successful Applicants will become participants in the Reengagement System being built in Oregon. The overarching goals of the Oregon Statewide Youth Reengagement System are as follows:
- Reconnection to education
- Reengaging youth who have left school or at imminent risk of leaving high school before earning a diploma or completing a GED credential, through targeted outreach to out-of-school youth, reconnection with Educational Services programming, and supports to aid retention.
- High school completion
- Delivery of specialized education, training, and/or support services that lead to high school graduation and GED completion for reengaged youth, in order to increase the number of graduates and completers.
- Career pathways and post-secondary education and training
- Providing innovative, trauma-informed, cross-sector programming that meets reengaged youth where they are; providing education, training, coaching, and supports that meet each reengaged youth’s individual needs; and supporting the identification and achievement of their educational and career goals, including access to post-secondary education and training for reengaged youth.
- Collaboration networks
- Building collaboration and connections between schools and educational agencies, non-profits, community-based organizations, social service agencies, local government, and other youth-serving entities in order to reduce disconnection and create opportunities and positive outcomes for youth
Funding Information
Agency anticipates the award of approximately 25 Grant Agreements (each a “Grant”)from this RFA. The initial term of each Grant is anticipated to be 2 years from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025 with potential options to renew as determined by Agency. Grants awarded to eligible entities will range from $75,000 to $250,000 for Tier I Awards and up to $350,000 for Tier II Awards.
Applicants must meet all RFA requirements for a Tier I award. Applicants applying to Tier II awards must meet all RFA requirements (Tier I) and all additional Tier II requirements as specified throughout this RFA.
Scope of Activities
Eligible Youth
Applicant must implement Reengagement Services to Eligible Youth. “Eligible Youth” is a person who meets of the following criteria:
- (Criterion A) Youth age 14-24 who are not currently enrolled in high school, and have not earned a high school diploma or high school equivalency credential such as a GED credential;
- (Criterion B) Youth age 14-21 who are defined as a dropout under ORS 339.505, and not exempt from attending public school under ORS 339.030, and have not earned a high school diploma or high school equivalency credential such as a GED credential;
- (Criterion C) Youth age 14-24 who are recommended by the Oregon Youth Authority, the Oregon Department of Human Services, Juvenile Court Judges, County Juvenile Departments, the Housing and Community Services Department, a community college, a Federally-Recognized Tribe, a School District, or an Education Service District, and have not earned a high school diploma or high school equivalency credential such as a GED credential;
- (Criterion D) Youth age 16-21 who are enrolled in a high school, initially enrolled in high school one or more years prior, and have not earned a high school diploma or high school equivalency credential such as a GED credential; and
- (1) have earned 3 or more credits fewer than the expected number of credits to be earned based on the duration of enrollment, and
- (2) have had irregular attendance or been removed from active enrollment in a school program due to absences.
Eligible Youth Requirements
- Applicants must serve Eligible Youth in the age range from 14 years to 24 years, but are not required to serve the entire eligible age range.
- Applicants must serve Eligible Youth who meet the eligibility criteria A through D, but are not required to serve Eligible Youth in all 4 eligibility criteria A through D
Additional Tier II Eligible Youth Requirements
Tier II Applicants, either through direct services or partnerships, must meet the additional Tier II Eligible Youth Requirements:
- Tier II Applicants must demonstrate the proposed project serves Eligible Youth who are in the entire age range from 19 years to 24 years; and
- Tier II Applicants must demonstrate the proposed project serves Eligible Youth who have not attended school for a significant duration of time, such as 4-6 months or longer.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a Grant under this RFA, Applicants must provide a Reengagement Program or deliver Reengagement Services under the Statewide Reengagement System and be one of the following entities as described in OAR 423-160-0007:
- School district
- Public charter school
- Education service district
- Federally recognized tribe
- Local workforce development board
- County and municipal governments and agencies
- Community college
- Alternative school, including private alternative school
- Registered community-based organization
- Registered non-profit organization
A nonprofit organization, faith based organization, public benefit company, or mutual benefit company must have an active registration with the Oregon Secretary of State’s business registry that matches the organization type selected in the Application.
For more information, visit Reengagement Grant.
