Workforce Innovation Fund Grant Decision Guide

The National Transitional Jobs Network (NTJN) has developed a comprehensive decision guide as a resource for potential applicants to the Workforce Innovation Fund (WIF) grant solicitation.  Our decision guide should be used in combination with the official Workforce Innovation Fund grant solicitation. This resource will guide entities through several steps, as well as, elements applicants should consider when starting or enhancing their Transitional Jobs program such as innovative program design and strategies and establishing multi-systems integration and partnerships to increase employment outcomes. Some innovative enhancements to Transitional Jobs programs may include:

• Transitional Jobs approaches blended with contextualized adult basic education, literacy, bridge programs and/or other training leading to employment.
• Transitional Jobs approaches blended with training in high-growth sector initiatives leading to employment.
• Longer Transitional Jobs programs or stepped approaches that gradually increase job responsibility, stress or lead to on-the-job training and/or apprenticeships.
• Transitional Jobs program approaches blended with intensive case management programs, hard reduction approaches, mentoring and/or peer support.
• State system collaboration efforts, (Workforce Development, Child Support, TANF/SNAP, Criminal Justice, Homelessness and Housing, Foster Care, Veterans Assistance or others) in which Transitional Jobs is the primary strategy for serving the employment needs of most at risk or vulnerable populations.

We also encourage applicants to review our program resources page for more information.

Workforce Innovation Fund Decision Guide Components:

About the Workforce Innovation Fund & Transitional Jobs

Summary-Description of the Workforce Innovation Fund grant solicitation

FAQ - Frequently asked questions about Transitional Jobs (TJ) and the WIF Grant solicitation

Workforce Innovation Fund (WIF) Toolkit

More helpful Resources about the Efficacy of Transitional Jobs from the National Transitional Jobs Network (NTJN)

About NTJN-Description about The NTJN commitment to strengthening Transitional Jobs programs throughout the country

NTJN Core Elements-Guide to Transitional Jobs program design and core elements of TJ

NTJN Technical Assistance Needs Assessment-NTJN assessment of Technical Assistance needs

Efficacy of TJ Brief-Transitional Jobs-case studies and program evaluation regarding the efficacy of Transitional Jobs

How to finance a Transitional Jobs program

Financing Transitional Jobs-National League of Cities Guide to Financing Transitional Jobs

Apply for Federal Funding Tips-This document contains tips on preparing federal funding applications for Transitional Jobs providers

Check out this helpful website on things your grant writer should know:

Positioning Grant Writers for Success-the dos and don'ts of writing a successful grant proposal

Job Descriptions and Staffing Layout

CLASP, an organization dedicated to being the voice for low-income people through policy solutions, has also created a Workforce Innovation Fund Toolkit.  The CLASP WIF Toolkit includes other helpful resources for potential grantees.

Please direct any questions regarding the Workforce Innovation Fund Toolkit to Sheena McNeal at smcneal@heartlandalliance.org