OAR 423-160-0011: Reengagement Program Grants

(1) The Youth Development Division shall establish a process by which the Division may issue grants for the purpose of funding Reengagement Programs. (a) The process must be approved by the Youth Development Council, and adhere to any requirements set forth in OAR 581-017-0653. (b) The grant award process will take into account the eligibility standards for Reengagement Programs, and required services and partnerships identified in ORS 417.859. (c) The Youth Development Division shall provide eligible entities with information on the grant funding process, including: (A) Grant parameters, guidelines, requirements, and deliverables; and (B) Submission deadlines and other important dates. (2) Each proposal for funding submitted under this rule must include: (a) A project budget describing planned expenditure of funds; (b) A description of all activities to be funded with grant funds; (c) Expected outcomes associated with the performance of those activities; and (d) Other information as required by the Division. (3) To be eligible to receive a Reengagement Grant, an entity must: (a) Demonstrate capability of meeting all requirements for provision of a Reengagement Program under ORS 417.859; (b) Meet all of the requirements in OAR 581-017-0653 and 581-017-0655. (c) Demonstrate the capability and capacity to deliver all required elements of Reengagement Program services, which shall be fulfilled in part through the demonstration of partnerships, including but not limited to: (A) Educational partners (School districts, ESDs, Community Colleges, other education service providers); (B) Workforce/Training partners (Local Workforce Development Boards, Community Colleges, other training providers); and (C) Culturally Responsive and Equity-focused partners (Federally recognized tribes, Community-Based organizations, and other entities dedicated to addressing the needs of youth who are over-represented in the Eligible Youth population). (4) The Division shall award grants based on the evaluation of the grant proposals, which includes the following considerations: (a) Counties, Districts, and/or schools served, where there is a graduation/completion rate gap between underserved populations and the overall student rate; (b) Counties, Districts, and/or schools served, where there is a graduation/completion rate gap between the local student population and the statewide graduation/completion rate; (c) The participation of entities that have demonstrated success in improving student outcomes; (d) Location of a reengagement program, and factors related to availability of reengagement services and other resources in a given community; and (e) Demonstrable trauma-informed policies, practices, and/or partnerships.