FY27 TLS Workforce Development

FY27 TLS Workforce Development

This grant award will have an initial period of performance starting in FY27 (07/01/2026 (or upon execution of the agreement) through 06/30/2029). A budget should be submitted for FY27 only.
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Through a workforce continuum, the program promotes greater development of work readiness skills and success in employment that will last well beyond the time a youth has emancipated from the care of the state. In addition to in person career readiness training, participants will be offered an opportunity to engage in training virtually. Through the utilization of an online platform, staff and participants will utilize distance learning for resume writing, financial literacy, workplace etiquette, mock interviews, and job placements.

ASSESSMENT
Youth Assessment: Upon receiving a referral approved by DCFS, youth will receive an assessment of their literacy, numeracy, occupational/work experience, interests, aptitudes, and supportive services. This assessment will be a combination of the referral form, an application, an exam, and group and/or individual interviews. Interviews will be facilitated by staff. This will be an opportunity to focus on staff and the youth to begin building an initial level of rapport and engagement in the program. The staff will make the initial effort to contact youth via their preferred contact, caseworker or placement/guardian within 14 days of receiving the DCFS approved referral. Upon contacting the youth, an assessment interview will be scheduled in preparation for the nearest available CRT. Once the assessment is complete, youth will be placed in the next available Career Readiness Training that does not conflict with their academic schedule.

CURRICULUM
Daytime and evening Career Readiness Training groups should be offered to meet the needs of youth who have academic schedules that conflict. Career Readiness Training is a 3-day curriculum consisting of approximately 18 hours of group instruction. Both the daytime and evening curriculum covers the same group topics. The typical experience of youth will be to complete a Career Readiness Training in 3 consecutive days- typically during a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday schedule. Youth will then work with their Employment Mentor on the following Thursday of Friday to begin job searching in the community.

Youth are eligible to receive an incentive of $100 for completion of CRT. Completion of Career Readiness Training will consist of attending day 1, 2 and 3 of the group curriculum and attending a community job searching day with their Employment Mentor. Youth will be encouraged to attend 3 consecutive days of the curriculum and the following day of community job searching. However, to support youth with challenging schedules, completion of Career Readiness Training does not need to occur in consecutive days. Youth will receive a certificate of completion along with their financial incentive when all requirements are completed.

COMMUNITY JOB SEARCHING
Employment Mentors will be responsible for developing a trusting relationship with youth participating in the program. As part of that relationship, staff will also be trained to offer and assist with the following supplementary services.

During the community job searching youth will be expected to participate in a minimum of 4 hours of one-on-one or small group time job searching in the community with their Employment Mentor. The youth will navigate their community with the Employment Mentor and target commercial areas where there are multiple potential employers and/or employers the Provider has communicated with about hiring from the program.

EMPLOYMENT MENTORING
Youth will be assigned a trained Employment Mentor from whom they will receive job mentoring throughout the program, both at their place of employment and at outside meetings. The Employment Mentor will assist the youth in learning their particular job skills, developing positive relationships with employers and coworkers. They will also provide assistance and support such as input on how to handle difficult co-workers, how to respond to your supervisor’s requests and other appropriately supportive assistance when needed. Additional services are including but not limited to transportation to interviews and first day of work, supplemental transportation fare as needed, and coordination of additional needed services. The number of hours spent with an Employment Mentor will be based on the youth’s skill level and need.
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STAFFING QUALIFICATIONS

Direct Service:
All direct service and team lead staff are required to have a high school diploma. A bachelor’s degree in a human services field (social work, sociology, psychology, counseling) with related work experience is preferred. Individuals without a bachelor’s degree or a bachelor’s degree outside of the human services field are required to have a minimum of 3 years of related work experience. This position will require staff to have good relationship-building skills, ability to develop rapport with youth, computer and technical skills, ability to conduct assessments, one-on-one and group counseling, as well as case management experience.

Supervisory:
The Program Manager/Program Director must have a master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology or Counseling and up to five years of experience in child welfare or employment services. They must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage projects. A strong sales ability with excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong computer skills are also required.

The Program Supervisor must have bachelor’s degree in a human services field (social work, sociology, psychology, counseling) with related work experience is preferred. They must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage projects. A strong sales ability with excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong computer skills are also required.
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MINIMUM STAFFING EXPECTATIONS

Career Readiness Curriculum: Lead Employment Mentor 10:1, Employment Mentor 10:1
Job Placement and Retention: Lead Employment Mentor 10:1, Employment Mentor Up to 20:1
Employment Services: Lead Employment Mentor – open, Employment Mentor – open
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TARGET POPULATION

Clients for whom the Department is legally responsible and for whom the Department has determined, in consultation with the provider, that the clients’ needs for rehabilitative, social and other services may best be met by the program and services provided under this contract.

Clients eligible for the program are DCFS youth in care who are between the ages of 17 ½ - 21 and are legally eligible for employment.

DCFS Clients
Client Capacity Under DCFS Agreement: 120
Capacity at Any Given Time: 120

Agency Clients
Client Capacity Under Program: 120
Capacity at Any Given Time: 120

Average Length of Services: 9 months
Services beyond the program plan service parameters: The Provider shall obtain prior authorization from DCFS to serve clients outside of the program plan parameters.
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REFERRAL DECISION-MAKING CRITERIA

DCFS Caseworkers and agencies serving DCFS youth in care refer youth to the program by completing a Provider Referral Packet. The referral packet should include basic client information (name, DOB, address), contact information for client, caseworker, private agency case manager and guardian including identifying preferred contact method. Admission into the program will be based on an assessment process. The assessment will include referral packet and caseworker assessment questions (basic inclusion criteria). If youth meet inclusion and caseworker assessment criteria, youth will be contacted by the Provider to schedule a formal assessment within 14 days. The formal assessment will include a completion of a written essay, assessment of numeracy, and an interview. The Provider team will review program eligibility, assessment and recommend appropriate placement.
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ADMISSION NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES

Using preferred contact method, Provider will notify client, caseworker and/or guardian of admission to the program within 2 weeks of completing the formal assessment process. Additionally, a notification of acceptance will be sent to DCFS Caseworker or referring party. Notification will include the program placement, basic expectations, start date and program outline.
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OUTCOMES AND METRICS

Program Level Outcomes:
• 95% of youth completing Career Readiness Training will create an individual Illinois WorkNet account. All client passwords will be maintained in their file.
• 100% of youth completing Career Readiness Training will receive an Employment Mentor.
• 85% of the youth will state on their satisfactions survey that they are satisfied with their participation in the program based on scoring a 3 or better on 6 of the 9 satisfaction questions.
• The program will secure a minimum of 70 job placements.

Client Level Outcomes:
• 80% of youth attending the first day of Career Readiness Training will complete Career Readiness Training.
• 75% of youth placed in employment will maintain employment for 30 days. This will be documented in service notes regarding communication with the youth or employer.
• 75% of youth placed in employment, who have achieved 30 days of employment, will maintain employment for 60 days. This will be documented in service notes regarding communication with the youth or employer.
• 65% of youth placed in employment, who have achieved 60 days of employment, will maintain employment for 90 days. This will be documented in service notes regarding communication with the youth or employer.
• 95% of youth completing Career Readiness Training will create an individualized resume. Resumes will be maintained in the client files.
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GEOGRAPHIC/SERVICE PROVISION AREA(S)

Cook, DuPage and Will counties

Details

• Awarding Agency: Department Of Children And Family Services
• CSFA Number: 418-00-3605
• CSFA Popular Name: Workforce Development
• Funding Opportunity Number: 418 - Workforce Development
• Assistance Listings Number: State
• Announcement Type: Modification Of Previous Announcement
• Award Type: Competitive
• Total Funding Available: $371,676.00
• Expected Number of Awards: 1
• Funding Sources: State
• Indirect Costs Allowed: Yes
• Posted Date: 2026-04-27
• Award Period: 2026-07-01 – 2027-06-30

Funding Restrictions

Grant awards will be subject to state statutory requirements that limit the administrative costs to 20%. Fringe benefits cannot exceed 25% of total salaries.

Indirect Cost Description

Indirect Costs are allowed. To charge indirect costs to a grant, the applicant organization must have an annually negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA).

There are three types of NICRAs:

1. Federally Negotiated Rate. Organizations that receive direct federal funding, may have an indirect cost rate that was negotiated with the Federal Cognizant Agency. Illinois will accept the federally negotiated rate. The organization must provide a copy of the federal NICRA.

2. State Negotiated Rate. The organization may negotiate an indirect cost rate with the State of Illinois if they do not have a Federally Negotiated Rate. If an organization has not previously established an indirect cost rate, an indirect cost rate proposal may be submitted to the State of Illinois through the indirect cost rate system no later than three months after the effective date of the award. If an organization previously established an indirect cost rate, the organization must continue to use that rate until its expiration. Upon expiration, the organization may re-submit a new indirect cost proposal through the system annually, within six months after the close of the grantee’s fiscal year, OR an organization may elect to use the de minimis rate instead of their State Negotiated Rate.

3. De Minimis Rate. An organization may elect a de minimis rate of 15% of modified total direct cost (MTDC). Once established, the de minimis rate may be used indefinitely. The State of Illinois must verify the calculation of the MTDC annually in order to accept the de minimis rate.
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NOTE
• All grantees must complete an indirect cost rate negotiation or elect the De Minimis Rate in the indirect cost rate system to claim indirect costs. Indirect costs claimed without an established negotiated rate or a De Minimis Rate election in the system may be subject to disallowance.
• Grantees have discretion not to claim payment for indirect costs. Grantees that elect not to claim indirect costs cannot be reimbursed for indirect costs.
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Restrictions on Indirect Costs

Yes

Citation Governing Indirect Cost Restriction

2 CFR 200.414(c)

State Award Notices

REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS
All applications must be submitted by the posted deadline. IDCFS staff conducts an initial review of all applications received for eligibility and GATA compliance. Reviewers may consist of DCFS GATA staff, division leadership, and other internal DCFS staff. Each proposal will be reviewed by a minimum of three reviewers. The review and selection of grant award recipients is conducted in a fair and equitable manner that evaluates and selects grantees most likely to be successful in delivering results based on program objectives, and with limited disruption to the continuity of services. Proposals will be approved based on funding available.

While recommendations from the review team will be a key factor in funding decisions, the Department maintains final authority over funding decisions and considers the scores of the review team to be non-binding recommendations. The Department reserves the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering geographic distribution of awards (e.g., ensuring coverage of certain counties or service areas), client needs, and overall programmatic/ financial risk assessments in its pre-award decisions. Any internal documentation used in scoring or awarding of grants shall not be considered public information.

Final award decisions will be made by the Director (or their designee). The Department reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to adjust award amounts, locations, etc. Funds are disbursed based on the schedule agreed upon and included within the Uniform Grant Agreement. The release of this Notice of Funding Opportunity does not obligate the Department to make an award.
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AWARD NOTIFICATIONS
An award status notification (approval or denial) will be delivered via an automated email from Euna Grants. This email will serve as notification that an award has been made. However, this email is not an authorization to begin performance or incur costs.
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APPEALS
Competitive grant (and in some cases non-competitive) appeals are limited to an appeal related to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested.

An appeal must be submitted in writing in accordance with the grant application document. An appeal must be received within 14 calendar days of Award denial.
The written appeal shall include at a minimum the following:
i. the name and address of the appealing party
ii. identification of the grant for which you are appealing the evaluation/review process
iii. a statement of reasons for the appeal

Response to Appeal
a. DCFS will acknowledge receipt of an appeal within fourteen (14) calendar days from the date the appeal was received.
b. DCFS will respond to the appeal within 60 days or supply a written explanation to the appealing party as to why additional time is required.
c. The appealing party must supply any additional information requested by DCFS within the time period set in the request.

Reporting

Grantees will be expected to submit both (monthly or quarterly) periodic performance reports and monthly financial reports. The exact reporting requirements of this award will be defined in the program plan of the Uniform Grant Agreement.