2020-2023 Competitive Grant

Grants to Virginia private and public nonprofit agencies, local education agencies, faith-based organizations, literacy organizations, IHEs, and libraries for adult education initiatives. Goals of funding include expanding employment and economic self-sufficiency, preparing adults to educate their children, and assisting English language learners.

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to assist eligible providers to develop, implement, and improve adult education and literacy that provides concurrent services that focus on the following:

• Assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and economic self-sufficiency;
• Assist adults who are parents or family members to obtain the education and skills that are necessary to becoming full partners in the educational development of their children and lead to sustainable improvements in the economic opportunities for their family;
• Assist adults in attaining a secondary school diploma and in the transition to postsecondary education and training, including through career pathways; and
• Assist immigrants and other individuals who are English language learners in improving their reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension skills in English; mathematics skills; and acquiring an understanding of the American system of government, individual freedom, and the responsibilities of citizenship.

Adult Education with Corrections Education and Other Institutionalized Individuals (C&I)

Eligible providers will be required to provide adult education instruction based on identified needs of the region. Programs must also prepare adult learners for and support them in achieving successful transition to post-secondary education and training or employment. 

Priority of Services within Corrections Education and Other Institutionalized Individuals (C&I): The purpose of this funding is to support educational programs for criminal offenders in correctional institutions and other institutionalized individuals. C&I-funded instruction must give priority to serving individuals who are likely to leave the correctional institution within five years of participation in the program.

Funds will be distributed regionally and are expected to be used to address the educational and training needs of eligible individuals throughout the region, particularly those eligible individuals who have low levels of literacy skills, are English language learners, or are individuals with disabilities.

For required and eligible Adult Education Activities and C&I Activities, see pages 10 and 11 of the RFP in Supporting Documents below. 

Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE)

The IELCE program will enable adult English Language Learners (ELL), including professionals with degrees and credentials in their native countries, to increase their proficiency in reading, writing, and comprehension skills in English and mathematics using standards-based instruction in order to understand and navigate American systems of government, individual freedom, and responsibilities of citizenship while preparing them for unsubsidized employment for in-demand industries that leads to a family-sustaining wage. All IELCE programs must offer at least one IET; not all IELCE participants must be enrolled in this component. 

For required IELCE Activities, see page 11 of the RFP in Supporting Documents below. 

For State Priorities, see page 8 of the RFP in Supporting Documents below.