WIOA Statewide Activities - Service Integration and Innovation - Nonformula

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), through its Office of Employment and Training, has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Statewide Activities Service Integration and Innovation Nonformula Grants. This program is federally funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and appropriated by the State of Illinois. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support Illinois Local Workforce Innovation Areas (LWIAs) in preparing for the implementation of the Illinois Workforce Development System 2.0 (IWDS 2.0). Funding will be used to designate and train regional staff who will serve as trainers to support the statewide rollout of this modernized case management and reporting system. The program aligns with WIOA’s emphasis on customer-centered service delivery and seeks to ensure consistent application of workforce policies across the state. IWDS 2.0 is scheduled for launch in July 2026 and will serve as the primary reporting and case management platform for WIOA Title I programs. The new system is designed to improve accessibility, streamline workflows, and integrate policy implementation into daily case management practice. To prepare for this transition, the Department will fund 15 to 20 regional trainers across the state, each at approximately 25 percent of a full-time equivalent, to train and mentor approximately 900 career planners. Training will be conducted regionally and supported through a train-the-trainer model, enabling sustainable expansion of expertise throughout the Illinois workforce system. Funding may be used for staff time, travel, training facilities, materials, and related costs. Eligible applicants are limited to LWIAs that are current recipients of WIOA Title I grant funds. Applicants must be registered and qualified through the Illinois Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal, have a valid UEI number and active SAM.gov registration, and remain in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State. Entities on the federal or state exclusion lists are ineligible. Matching funds are not required, and indirect costs may be charged in accordance with an established or elected rate agreement. Applications will be accepted from September 4, 2025, through October 6, 2025, at 5:00 PM Central Time. A technical assistance session will be held virtually on September 9, 2025, but attendance is optional. Applicants must submit a complete package including the Uniform Grant Application, budget documents, disclosure forms, program narrative, leadership commitment statement, trainer qualifications, resumes, and budget justification. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Smartsheet link provided in the NOFO. Late or incomplete applications may not be reviewed. Proposals will be evaluated through a merit review process using a 100-point scale. Capacity and commitment of LWIA partners will represent 30 percent of the score, trainer qualifications and projected outcomes 60 percent, and budget reasonableness 10 percent. Applicants may be selected for negotiation of final award terms, and the Department reserves the right to issue reduced awards or reject proposals. Approximately 10 to 12 grants will be awarded, ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 each, with total program funding estimated at $2,000,000. Awards will cover a performance period from October 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, with eligible pre-award costs beginning July 1, 2025. Selected grantees will be responsible for conducting regional training, mentoring staff, holding office hours, and submitting regular program and financial reports. Trainers are expected to participate in state-led training, coordination meetings, and evaluation activities. Deliverables include ensuring at least 90 percent of career planners in the designated regions are trained by August 2026, maintaining attendance at state sessions, holding regular office hours, and achieving high satisfaction scores on training evaluations. Regular monitoring and audits will be conducted, and grantees must comply with state and federal grant management requirements. Questions about this opportunity may be directed to Sara Blalock, Program Manager, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, 1011 S. 2nd Street, Springfield, IL 62704, email: sarah.blalock@illinois.gov. General inquiries can also be sent to the DCEO Grant Help Desk at CEO.GrantHelp@illinois.gov. Further information about DCEO grants is available at https://dceo.illinois.gov/dceo-grants.html.

Keep administrative costs at or below 10 percent; ensure trainers meet stated qualifications; demonstrate strong regional collaboration