Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title I - Dislocated Worker Program Services Grant

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title I - Dislocated Worker Program Services funding opportunity is administered by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (MTDLI), Workforce Services Division, in compliance with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The program is intended to support workforce development activities that help dislocated workers re-enter the labor market through career services, training, work-based learning, and supportive services. MTDLI serves as the administrative entity for the WIOA Dislocated Worker Program in Montana and is responsible for oversight, technical assistance, program management, and fiscal administration. The funding opportunity emphasizes alignment with federal workforce priorities, including America’s Talent Strategy, as well as Montana Governor Greg Gianforte’s 406 JOBS initiative, which aims to modernize Montana’s workforce and improve access to career pathways and high-demand occupations. The funding opportunity seeks experienced and qualified organizations capable of delivering workforce services that support individuals who have lost employment due to layoffs, closures, economic changes, natural disasters, or other qualifying circumstances. The program prioritizes strategies that increase employment outcomes, measurable skill gains, credential attainment, and long-term economic self-sufficiency for participants. Applicants are expected to implement service delivery models that align with apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, industry-recognized credentials, employer-driven workforce strategies, and outreach to underserved or hard-to-reach populations. Services are expected to support dislocated workers through career exploration, coaching, occupational training, work-based learning opportunities, and placement into high-wage, in-demand occupations across Montana. Funding is provided through the United States Department of Labor and distributed to Montana in two annual increments. The funding opportunity anticipates awarding approximately $714,133 for Program Year 2026 covering the period from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Approximate allocations include $124,276 for Local Area 1 and $589,857 for Local Area 2. MTDLI intends to award two-year subawards covering Program Years 2026 and 2027, contingent upon satisfactory performance and continued federal funding availability. Additional discretionary National Dislocated Worker Grant funding may also become available during the performance period. The grant operates as a reimbursement award, requiring subrecipients to incur expenses and seek reimbursement through monthly reporting. Applicants must demonstrate adequate financial capacity to operate within reimbursement timelines that may range from 30 to 60 days. Eligible applicants include experienced organizations capable of administering workforce development and employment services consistent with WIOA requirements. Applicants may partner with sub-subrecipients or partner organizations; however, one lead fiscal agent must submit the application and assume responsibility for program administration. Applicants are expected to collaborate extensively with WIOA core partners, workforce development agencies, educational institutions, employers, apprenticeship sponsors, community organizations, and Montana Job Service offices. MTDLI requires co-location of the Dislocated Worker subrecipient within the designated One-Stop Center in Great Falls for certain districts and strongly recommends coordination with Job Service offices throughout the state. Organizations must demonstrate experience serving rural communities, tribal populations, veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals, individuals with disabilities, low-income workers, limited-English-proficiency participants, and other populations facing barriers to employment. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Submittable platform no later than June 8, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. An optional pre-submission conference will be held virtually through Microsoft Teams on May 14, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. MST to provide applicants an opportunity to ask clarifying questions and better understand program requirements. Written questions must be submitted by May 26, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. MST, and responses will be publicly posted by May 29, 2026. Required application components include a cover page, executive summary, organizational profile, staffing plan, references, statement of work, operational plans, financial documentation, internal control assessments, and Program Operating Plan budgets for Local Area 1 and Local Area 2. Applicants must provide detailed responses addressing eligibility determination, participant assessment, employer engagement, training strategies, service delivery models, labor market alignment, workforce partnerships, performance management, and compliance systems. The funding opportunity establishes extensive programmatic and administrative expectations for subrecipients. Required services include eligibility determination, outreach, assessments, career counseling, individualized employment planning, supportive services, occupational skills training, apprenticeship coordination, work experience activities, case management, and follow-up services. Subrecipients must use Montana’s EmployMT management information system for participant tracking and documentation. MTDLI also requires participation in department-led technical assistance sessions, training meetings, and monitoring activities. Federal performance measures include employment rates, credential attainment, measurable skill gains, median earnings, and effectiveness in serving employers. Failure to meet performance standards may result in corrective action, sanctions, or loss of funding. Applications will be evaluated using a 600-point scoring system that measures organizational experience, staffing qualifications, service delivery strategies, financial stability, partnerships, innovation, employer engagement, and performance management capacity. General financial and internal control requirements are evaluated on a pass/fail basis. Organizations agreeing to comply with Montana Executive Order 12-2016 regarding Equal Pay for Montana Women may receive an additional five percent bonus in total evaluation points. The anticipated award date is July 1, 2026, and MTDLI reserves the right to conduct future competitive funding opportunities for subsequent program years. Contact regarding the funding opportunity should be directed to MTDLI_WIOA@mt.gov using the subject line "Title I – Dislocated Worker Program Services".

Emphasize employer-driven workforce strategies, apprenticeship and work-based learning alignment, measurable performance outcomes, coordination with WIOA core partners, and strategies serving rural and underserved populations. Demonstrate strong labor market alignment, participant coaching models, and ability to meet federal performance metrics including credential attainment and measurable skill gains.