VII.D. – Misc. Grant Program Standards Requirements – 10-2024

1. Section 33-1629, Idaho Code, establishes the Idaho Agricultural Education Quality

Program Standards Incentive Grants and Agricultural Education Program Start-Up Grants. These grants shall be administered based on the provisions of Section 33- 1629, Idaho Code, and IDAPA 55.01.04.

The Idaho Agricultural Education Quality Program Standards shall be used to evaluate the quality of Agricultural, Food and Natural Resource education programs. The Idaho Agricultural Education Quality Program Standards as approved October 17, 2024, are adopted and incorporated by reference into this policy. The standards may be found on the Division of Career Technical Education website at http://cte.idaho.gov.

2. Industry Partner Fund

Section 33-2213, Idaho Code, establishes the Industry Partner Fund. In an effort to increase the capacity of each of Idaho’s six public technical colleges to work with regional industry partners to provide a “rapid response to gaps in skills and abilities,” Idaho has established the Industry Partner Fund. The purpose of the fund is to provide funds that give the technical colleges the flexibility to work with Idaho employers to provide “timely access to relevant college credit and non-credit training and support projects.”

1. Industry Partner Fund Definitions:
   1. Technical College Leadership Council (TCLC) means the career technical education deans of Idaho’s six public technical colleges
   2. Wage threshold means evidence that training will lead to jobs that provide living wages appropriate to the local labor market or local standard of living.
   3. Regional means the six defined career technical service regions pursuant to Board Policy III.Z.
   4. Support project means supplemental items, activities, or components that may enhance program outcomes (such as job analysis, placement services, data collection and follow up, workplace readiness skills training, etc.)
   5. Regional industry partners means employers that operate in Idaho and/or serve as a talent pipeline for Idaho students and employees.
   6. Impact potential means the extent to which the training or project will increase regional capacity to meet talent pipeline needs. May include number of students or employees affected, associated wages, and long- term regional improvement or sustainability. May also include the timeframe for implementation.
   7. Demonstrated commitment means the promissory financial commitment made by the partner employer that includes cash or in-kind contribution to the project.
2. Roles and Responsibilities
   
   The Administrator and TCLC are jointly responsible for reviewing and administering the application process for accessing Industry Partner Fund monies.
   
   The TCLC, in accordance with the deadlines outlined in the following section, shall conduct the preliminary review of all proposals to ensure they meet the eligibility requirements and align with legislative intent. Each institution shall have one vote on the TCLC throughout the recommendation process. Deans shall not vote on proposals from their institution. The TCLC shall make recommendations to the division administrator to approve, deny, or modify submitted proposals.
   
   The Administrator shall review all eligible proposals and make the final determination on the award of those proposals.
   
   The Division shall be responsible for management and distribution of all moneys associated with the fund.
3. Submission and Review Process
   
   Proposals will be accepted quarterly, on a schedule set by the Division. The TCLC shall provide the Administrator with recommendations on which proposals to award within 14 calendar days of the closing date of the application period. Pursuant to language outlined in Section 33-2213, Idaho Code, the TCLC and the Administrator will notify the technical college within 30 days of submission of their proposal as to whether their proposal was approved.
   
   Submitted proposals must contain all required supporting documentation, as outlined by the Administrator, the TCLC, and as specified in the application.
   
   Proposals must be signed by the College Dean, Financial Vice President/Chief Fiscal Officer, Provost/Vice President for Instruction, and institution President.
   
   Proposals must outline how the institution and industry partner(s) are unable to meet industry need with existing resources.
4. Eligibility Criteria
   
   Each proposal will be reviewed and evaluated according to the following criteria:
   1. The extent to which the proposal meets regional demand
   2. Relevant labor market information, which must include, but is not limited to, Idaho Short Term Projections (Idaho Department of Labor)
   3. Wage thresholds – low wage program starts should be accompanied with appropriate justification including regional economic demand.
   4. Impact potential
   5. Degree of employer commitment
   6. The extent to which the proposal aligns with and/or supports career technical education programs and relevant workforce training
   7. the anticipated administrative costs
   8. any special populations that may benefit from the proposed education or training
   9. sustainability of the program
      
      Preference will be given to proposals that include:
   10. Multiple employers
   11. Higher number of impacted workers
   12. Demonstrated commitment (highest consideration will be given to proposals with a matching component)
       
       Each college may submit more than one proposal per quarter. In the event a qualified proposal isn’t selected in the quarter in which it was submitted, the proposal may be resubmitted the following quarter. Resubmission of an eligible proposal is not a guarantee of future awards.
5. Distribution and Use of Funds
   
   The Administrator, in awarding funds, shall ensure that funds are available each quarter. As such, the Administrator may adjust or reduce the award amount to an accepted proposal. These adjustments or reductions shall be made in consultation with the TCLC and the technical college impacted and will ensure the original intent of the proposal can still be met.
   
   Funds will be distributed on a one-time basis; renewal proposals may be submitted, based on the nature of the project or training.
   
   Industry Partner Fund moneys may be used for:
   1. Facility improvement/expansion
   2. Facility leasing
   3. Curriculum development
   4. Salaries and benefits (if the training program needs are anticipated to go beyond the initial award, the college must provide additional details on long- term sustainability of the position filled through the fund)
   5. Staff development
   6. Operating expenses
   7. Equipment and supplies
   8. Travel related to the project
   9. Approved administrative costs, as outlined in the application
      
      Funds may not be used for:
   10. Real property
   11. indirect costs
   12. the cost of transcribing credits
   13. tuition and fees
   14. materials and equipment normally owned by a student or employee for use in the program or training
6. Performance Measures and Reporting Requirements
   
   In accordance with the approved proposal, colleges shall provide a quarterly update and closeout report on elements such as:
   1. Number of affected workers
   2. Number of enrolled or participating students
   3. Placement rate of training completers
   4. Average wages and any wage differential
   5. Industry match
   6. If practicable, Idaho public college credits, certificates, certifications, qualifications or micro certifications of value toward postsecondary certificates or degrees.
   7. Funds obligated and expended. Any funds not obligated within 18 months of the initial award shall revert back to the fund.