Iowa Workforce Development (Department) distributes federal funds from the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) through a competitive grant opportunity. These grants are to provide adult education and literacy programs, activities and services, including programs providing activities concurrently, which will improve adult education and literacy in Iowa.
Funding has been awarded for the PY2020-2025 grant cycle. A copy of the Funding Opportunity (FO) used for that grant opportunity is included as a reference for future requests for funding applications.
Proposals for funding are administered through IowaGrants.gov.
Previous AEFLA Grants
Previously awarded Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) grants are listed below. The FY2021(PY20) AEFLA Notice of Funding Opportunity was awarded in 2020.
The Department awarded 15 applicants for Adult Education and Family Literacy Act funding under Section 231 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and 5 applicants for Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education funding under Section 243. The terms of service for the contract is subject to continued availability of funding by the U.S. Department of Education. The exercise of grant renewals is made on a program by program basis. Renewals are contingent on the grant recipient’s ability to successfully implement the terms of the grant and demonstrated effectiveness as determined by outcomes.
The terms of the previous contracts, were defined as follows:
| Period | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Period of Performance | July 1, 2020 | June 30, 2021 |
| Renewal Period #1 | July 1, 2021 | June 30, 2022 |
| Renewal Period #2 | July 1, 2022 | June 30, 2023 |
| Renewal Period #3 | July 1, 2023 | June 30, 2024 |
| Renewal Period #4 | July 1, 2024 | June 30, 2025 |
Award Recipients
Iowa has on average allocated $2,900,000 to awardees. Federal allocations have historically been funded based on:
- Eighty-five percent (85%) on needs: institutional grant; ACS data relative to serving adult education and literacy participants; and enrollment; and
- Fifteen percent (15%) on performance in achieving the state’s targeted benchmarks and performance outcomes.
Awardees for Section 231 and Section 225 (Correction and Institutionalized Services) are required to offer instruction at all Educational Functioning Levels (EFL) (Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education and English as a Second Language), based on identified needs of the area served (state requirement). Programs must also prepare adult learners for and support them in achieving successful transition to postsecondary education and training or employment.
| Name of Provider | Local Workforce Development Area |
|---|---|
| Northeast Iowa Community College | Northeast Iowa Region |
| North Iowa Area Community College | Northeast Iowa Region |
| Iowa Lakes Community College | Northwest Iowa Region |
| Northwest Iowa Community College | Northwest Iowa Region |
| Iowa Central Community College | Northwest Iowa Region, North Central Region and Western Iowa Region |
| Iowa Valley Community College District | South Central Region |
| Hawkeye Community College | Northeast Iowa Region |
| Eastern Iowa Community College | Mississippi Valley Region |
| Kirkwood Community College | East Central Iowa Region |
| Des Moines Area Community College | Central Iowa Region; Western Iowa Region |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College | Western Iowa Region |
| Iowa Western Community College | Western Iowa Region |
| Southwest Iowa Community College | Southwest Iowa Region |
| Indian Hills Community College | South Central Region |
| Southeastern Iowa Community College | Mississippi Valley Region |
Additional information and resources related to the previous AEFLA Grant Competition can be found on the Employment and Training Hub or by contacting the state of Iowa Adult Education and Literacy team at adulteducation@iwd.iowa.gov.