Next Step Reentry Readiness Initiative Grant

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) has announced a competitive funding opportunity through the Next Step Reentry Readiness Initiative. This grant aims to provide $1,000,000 in total funding to a single awardee to support individuals incarcerated in minimum- or low-security federal prisons in Pennsylvania. The initiative seeks to enhance reentry preparation through a combination of pre-release workforce training, job readiness education, and intensive post-release support services. The program continues the mission and structure established under a previous federally funded initiative administered by L&I. The initiative supports the continuation and expansion of “employment labs,” modeled after American Job Centers, inside federal prisons. These labs offer job readiness and skills training to incarcerated individuals, specifically using the Pathways to Success curriculum. This curriculum incorporates soft skills development, career exploration, and foundational workplace readiness. Upon release, participants are connected with virtual or community-based case management systems that ensure sustained guidance through reintegration. These post-release services are tailored to address employment, housing, transportation, mental health, and other transitional needs, using both referrals and direct support when necessary. Eligible applicants must demonstrate prior experience working within federal correctional facilities, including the administration of assessments and service delivery under federal operational, compliance, and security protocols. Applicants may include local workforce development boards, nonprofits, community-based organizations, educational institutions, labor organizations, and economic development entities. Entities must have the infrastructure to coordinate complex partnerships, manage grant finances, evaluate outcomes, and maintain compliance with all reporting requirements. Applicants must also possess or obtain a PA SAP Vendor ID number and agree to the grant agreement terms without revision. The application process requires the submission of multiple components, including a completed application form, a two-page project summary, a ten-page narrative responding to evaluation criteria, three to five letters of support, a budget and justification using the GFRP Excel template, a signed Worker Protection Certification form, a Local Board Notification email, and a Grant Action Plan. Applications must be submitted in PDF format (except for the budget, which must remain in Excel) and must follow specific formatting guidelines including font, spacing, and margin requirements. Applications are due by 4:00 PM ET on September 8, 2025, and must be submitted electronically to RA-LI-BWDA-GS@pa.gov. A bidders' conference will be held via Microsoft Teams on August 28, 2025, at 10:00 AM ET. Questions regarding the opportunity must be submitted by August 22, 2025. The period of performance for the awarded project is from November 1, 2025, through October 31, 2026. Applications will undergo an initial eligibility review, followed by a merit-based evaluation scored across project design, outcomes, stakeholder engagement, sustainability, and budget alignment, for a total of 100 points. This funding is 100% state-funded using Reemployment funds and is issued in response to the pending conclusion of a previous grant cycle funded through the U.S. Department of Labor under the First Step Act. The intent is to prevent disruption in services for incarcerated individuals and ensure the continuation of employment-focused programming aligned with Pennsylvania’s long-term workforce development goals. Grantees will be expected to provide routine progress updates, participate in ongoing technical assistance calls, and maintain detailed performance and expenditure documentation.

Use the Project Narrative Template and ensure letters of support clearly outline partner responsibilities. No hyperlinks or proprietary info may be included in submissions.