Opportunity Information: Apply for FOA ETA 16 03
Apply for FOA ETA 16 03
- The DOL-ETA in the employment, labor and training sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "LINKING TO EMPLOYMENT ACTIVITIES PREâ€RELEASE THROUGH SPECIALIZED AMERICAN JOB CENTERS (AJCS) – (“LEAP-2â€)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 17.270.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 13, 2016 and posted on Jan 13, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 26, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:
The LEAP-2 (Linking to Employment Activities Pre-Release through Specialized American Job Centers) grant opportunity, issued by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (DOL-ETA) under FOA ETA 16-03 (CFDA 17.270), is a discretionary pilot program designed to improve employment outcomes for people who are incarcerated and nearing release. The central idea is to start workforce preparation inside jail settings before release, then connect participants to the full range of American Job Center (AJC) services in the community after release so support does not drop off at the transition point. By creating a structured bridge from incarceration to the public workforce system, the program aims to increase employability, help participants secure jobs, and ultimately reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
A key feature of LEAP-2 is the creation or enhancement of jail-based specialized AJCs that function like correctional facility-based one-stop centers. These centers are expected to deliver job-driven services that reflect local labor market needs and emphasize employer relevance. Participants receive foundational workforce supports such as job readiness, employability skills, and job search strategies while still incarcerated, and they begin working on Individual Employment Plans prior to release. After release, those plans are continued and updated through community-based AJCs, creating a continuum of services rather than a one-time intervention. The intent is practical: help people leave custody with clearer job goals, stronger workplace skills, and direct pathways to real hiring opportunities.
The opportunity places heavy emphasis on employer engagement and alignment with local business needs. Grantees are expected to build relationships with employers so that training, preparation activities, and service strategies are informed by what local companies are actually hiring for. This employer-connected approach is meant to ensure that participants are not only prepared in a general sense, but are positioned for jobs that exist in their region and match skills valued by employers. In addition, the program frames this as an integrated effort between the public workforce system and correctional systems, encouraging resource sharing and coordinated service delivery to improve outcomes for a population that often faces major barriers to employment.
Partnership requirements are central to eligibility and implementation. Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs) are expected to play a lead role and must partner with county, municipal, or regional correctional facilities, as well as county or municipal governments. Beyond these required partnerships, the program encourages additional collaborators such as nonprofit supportive service providers, philanthropic organizations, community-based and faith-based organizations, and other local government agencies that can offer relevant services and resources. The grant highlights that strong community collaboration can improve participant results and make the model more sustainable over time, since successful reentry often depends on supports that extend beyond job placement alone.
In terms of award details, DOL-ETA anticipated making about 10 awards, with an award ceiling of $500,000 per grant. The funding opportunity was posted on January 13, 2016, created the same day, and had a closing date of February 26, 2016. Overall, LEAP-2 is structured as a targeted workforce reentry initiative: build job preparation capacity inside correctional settings, connect people directly to AJCs and employers, and maintain continuous post-release support through individualized planning and coordinated local partnerships.
LEAP-2 Grant (FOA ETA 16-03) FAQs
What is the LEAP-2 grant opportunity?
LEAP-2 (Linking to Employment Activities Pre-Release through Specialized American Job Centers) is a discretionary pilot program from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (DOL-ETA) intended to improve employment outcomes for people who are incarcerated and nearing release. The core approach is to begin workforce preparation inside jail settings before release and then connect participants to the full range of American Job Center (AJC) services in the community after release to prevent a drop-off in support during the transition.
Which agency issued this funding opportunity and what are the identifiers?
The opportunity was issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOL-ETA). It is identified as FOA ETA 16-03 and CFDA 17.270.
What problem is LEAP-2 designed to address?
LEAP-2 is designed to address the loss of workforce support that often happens when individuals move from incarceration back into the community. By building a structured bridge from incarceration to the public workforce system, the program aims to increase employability, help participants secure jobs, and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
Who is the target population for services under LEAP-2?
The program focuses on people who are incarcerated and nearing release, with services starting pre-release in jail settings and continuing post-release through community AJCs.
What is the central concept or service model behind LEAP-2?
The central concept is continuity of workforce services: deliver job readiness and workforce preparation before release inside a jail-based setting, develop Individual Employment Plans pre-release, and then continue and update those plans through community-based AJCs after release so services remain connected and ongoing rather than one-time.
What are "specialized American Job Centers" in the context of LEAP-2?
LEAP-2 supports the creation or enhancement of jail-based specialized AJCs that operate like correctional facility-based one-stop centers. These centers are expected to provide job-driven services and mirror the function of AJCs, tailored to the correctional setting and focused on preparing participants for employment prior to release.
What types of services are expected to be delivered before release?
Participants are expected to receive foundational workforce supports while still incarcerated, including job readiness, employability skills, and job search strategies. They are also expected to begin working on Individual Employment Plans before release.
What happens after participants are released?
After release, the participant's Individual Employment Plan is intended to be continued and updated through community-based AJCs. The goal is a seamless continuum of services that supports the individual as they pursue employment and connect to broader workforce system resources.
What are Individual Employment Plans and when are they developed?
Individual Employment Plans are individualized plans that outline a participant's job goals and steps toward employment. Under LEAP-2, participants begin developing these plans prior to release, and the plans are then continued and updated through community-based AJCs after release.
How does LEAP-2 ensure services are relevant to local job opportunities?
The program emphasizes job-driven services that reflect local labor market needs and prioritize employer relevance. Grantees are expected to align preparation activities and service strategies with what employers in the region are actually hiring for.
What role do employers play in the LEAP-2 model?
Employer engagement is a major focus. Grantees are expected to build relationships with employers so that training, preparation, and service approaches are informed by real hiring needs in the local labor market. This is intended to position participants for jobs that exist in their region and match employer-valued skills.
How does LEAP-2 connect the correctional system and the public workforce system?
LEAP-2 frames reentry workforce support as an integrated effort between correctional systems and the public workforce system. It encourages resource sharing and coordinated service delivery so participants experience a structured transition from jail-based services to community AJC services.
Who is expected to lead the project locally?
Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs) are expected to play a lead role in the program.
What partnerships are required under LEAP-2?
Partnership requirements are central to eligibility and implementation. LWDBs must partner with county, municipal, or regional correctional facilities and with county or municipal governments.
Are additional partners encouraged beyond the required partnerships?
Yes. The opportunity encourages additional collaborators such as nonprofit supportive service providers, philanthropic organizations, community-based and faith-based organizations, and other local government agencies that can contribute relevant services and resources.
Why does the grant emphasize broad community collaboration?
The grant highlights that strong community collaboration can improve participant results and support sustainability over time. It reflects the idea that successful reentry often depends on supports that extend beyond job placement alone.
How many awards were anticipated and what was the maximum award amount?
DOL-ETA anticipated making about 10 awards. The award ceiling was $500,000 per grant.
When was the funding opportunity posted and what was the application deadline?
The funding opportunity was posted on January 13, 2016 (and created the same day). The closing date was February 26, 2016.
Is LEAP-2 described as a pilot or an ongoing formula program?
It is described as a discretionary pilot program.
What outcomes is LEAP-2 trying to achieve?
LEAP-2 aims to improve employability and increase job placement for participants, while also reducing the likelihood of reoffending by maintaining continuous, employment-focused support through the reentry transition.
What does "continuum of services" mean in LEAP-2?
It means participants receive connected services before and after release: workforce preparation begins inside the correctional setting, Individual Employment Plans start pre-release, and services continue through community AJCs post-release without a gap at the transition point.
What is meant by "job-driven services" in this grant description?
In the LEAP-2 description, job-driven services are services designed around local labor market needs and employer demand, with the intent that participants are prepared for real jobs that employers in the region are hiring for.
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