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GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA, INC. (GWI)BROWNFIELDS JOB TRAINING APPLICATION

Threshold Criteria and Narrative ProposalOctober 19, 2007

Threshold Criteria

1. Applicant Identification and Eligibility

Goodwill Industries, Inc. (GWI), Mr. William Jessee, President, Goodwill Industries, Inc., 4200 South I-10 Service Rd West, Ste. 124

Metairie, LA 70001-1251, [email protected], 504-456-3921, fax 504 456-2982.

Goodwill Industries of Southeast Louisiana is a 501c (3) non-profit charitable organization, and is, therefore, eligible under CERCLA Section 104 (k)(1).

2. Limitation on Applicant: The applicant did not receive a Brownfields job training grant in Fiscal year 2007.

3. Location: This application is for a training program located in New Orleans, Louisiana (LA) and targeted to District B of Orleans parish, primarily the neighborhood identified as Central City. According to the US EPA website, the following Brownfields grants have been awarded to the New Orleans area:

The City of New Orleans recently received a Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund Grant for one million dollars from the US EPA. The city has identified 177 closed service stations and 267 hazardous sites that limit the city's ability to redevelop after storms and floods.

Progressive Baptist Church in Marrero received a $200,000 Brownfield cleanup grant in Jefferson Parish, and there are many potential Brownfield sites located throughout this community, especially along 4th street, which parallels the Mississippi River.

The 7,000 acres New Orleans Regional Business Park (NORBP) was selected to receive two brownfields assessment grants. Of the approximate 286 potential brownfields that have been identified throughout New Orleans, at least 12 are within the NORBP district.

According to the City of New Orleans, the Environmental Protection Agency has awarded New Orleans $1 million dollars to revitalize three abandoned wharves along a portion of the Mississippi River which is now slated for development. The Port of New Orleans plans to use the grant to redevelop the wharves along Market, Celeste and Orange Streets. These “Portfields,” like Brownfields sites in the New Orleans area, will likely require a significant environmentally trained workforce to perform safe and reliable assessment and cleanup work.

4. Eligible Use of Funds: The Applicant warrants that, to the best of its knowledge, the costs proposed herein comply with guidelines detailed in Section 1(B) of the Request for Applications.

5. Non-Duplication:

The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice of Dillard University, located in New Orleans, operates an Environmental Worker training program under a grant from NIEHS. The Deep South program, while successful in its own right, has a limited capacity, and is not able to meet the overall environmental training needs of the proposed target community. As will be apparent

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mailto:[email protected]

Goodwill Industries of Southeast Louisiana, Inc. (GWI)Brownfields Job Training Application

in the Community Need section of this application, the need and opportunity in New Orleans, particularly in District B and the target community, far exceeds the capacity of the Deep South program. Additional the Deep South NIEHS grant does not include a Brownfield environmental training component in this cycle. As is noted in the cover letter of this application, Deep South is a community partner on this application, supports the intent to expand environmental worker training in the New Orleans area, and has pledged to help mentor and nurture the proposed program. The proposed program offers significant differentiated resources:

- A partnership with JOB1, with its extraordinary capability to greatly extend the value of EPA funding and create opportunity for graduates of the program.

- Immediate college credit for program graduates. As part of its long range plan, LTC intends to add Environmental Studies to its overall curriculum, which will eventually be offered statewide. This proposed training program will serve as a “proving ground” for that degree program.

- The partnership with GWI, with, a long and fruitful history of training and placing disadvantaged workers.

- A broad-based, unique, and unprecedented partnership that will provide to program students opportunities previously out of their reach, i.e., access to health care, financial planning, and skilled worker status.

6. Substantial Conformance: This proposal is designed to provide all required information in general conformance to the outline provided in the Request For Applications.

7. Language: This document is presented entirely in English.

Ranking Criteria Narrative

1. Training Program Objectives and Plans

1a. Objectives

Under the proposed Brownfield Job Training Grant, the cooperative partnership of GWI, LVI, JOB1, and LTC propose to: 1) Recruit and train 40 students from a pool of 80 to 100 applicants;2) Place 80% of training graduates in environmentally-related occupations and/or post-secondary education; 3) Provide to students improved physical and mental health habits, a sense of personal responsibility, and skills to become functional, reliable employees; 4) Provide assistance to students with financial planning, childcare, and transportation; 5) Raise environmental awareness through community involvement. These are consistent with USEPA Strategic Goals.

1b. Program Work Plan

The proposed training will contain four (4) 13-week training cycles of 404 hours each, two in each of the funded years. Upon completion of the following courses, graduates of the program will receive from LTC: 1) College credit, and; an Environmental Field Technician certificate:

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Course of Study HoursEnvironmental Certificate Training- OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER Incident command level 40- Mold Worker 24- Lead 16- Asbestos Worker 32- OSHA Construction Safety 30Other Environmental Training- Engineering, Science and Technical Background 44- Federal, State and Local Environmental Rules and Regulations 24- Debris Removal Quality Assurance Monitoring 24- Environmental Site Assessments 30- Industrial Compliance Audits 28- Environmental Field Equipment/ Use of Computers 24- Working in teams - Field Assignments 8- Working in Teams, Practical Exams and Team Projects 8Non-Environmental Training (Leveraged)- Ethics in Work Place 24- Job Readiness skills 48Total 404

The following table indicates the activities timetable for the proposed program keyed to months following project startup:

Year 1Month Activities0 – 3 Recruitment, student selection; contemporaneous development of community

outreach programs, expansion of employer network. Filing quarterly reports. 4-6 Training, implementation of outreach programs, Filing quarterly reports. 7-9 Placement for training class one; recruitment, student selection for training class two,

expansion of employer network. Filing quarterly reports.10-12 Second training session, implementation of outreach programs, Filing quarterly

reports.

Year 213-15 Placement for training class two; recruitment, student selection for training class

three, expansion of employer network. Filing quarterly reports.16-18 Third raining class, implementation of outreach programs, Filing quarterly reports. 19-21 Placement for training class three; recruitment, student selection for training class

four, expansion of employer network. Filing quarterly reports.22-24 Completion of final training class; Filing quarterly report and Final Closeout report.

The above course outline and timetable appear together in Attachment D.

1c. Partner Responsibilities

GWI will provide grant management and financial oversight.

LVI, which is experienced in environmental training, will function as a sub-grantee to GWI. GWI is a licensed 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to and with experience in

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providing environmental training to disadvantaged workers. It will provide project coordination, including planning and implementing outreach efforts, establishing community partnerships and working as a liaison among grant partners. LVI will contribute as leveraged resources training classroom space in the target community and equipment for use in training.

JOB1, the Workforce Invest Board for the local community, will provide recruiting, screening, testing (career path, drug, math and reading), case management, assistance with child care and transportation, and incentives to employers through On-the-job-Training (OJT) or Work Experience (WE) contracts.

LTC, a licensed community college, will serve as the training partner for technical classes. It will provide college credit, individual certificates for the certificate courses and a certificate for the complete course. Instructors hired by LTC will be licensed in those areas that require licensure or certification. Instructors teaching non-certificate classes will be selected by LTC based on their education and demonstrable experience in the field of expertise. LTC will pay the cost of half the instruction and contribute all books and similar learning materials. Instructor names and credentials are located in Attachment E.

JOB1 has also agreed to provide Soft Skills training on a weekly basis, including job readiness, preparation of resumes and job applications, job-search assistance, mock interviews, dress for success, and coordinating a Mentoring Program.

Students will be medically screened and monitored at an Excelth Health facility, which will conduct these services at a drastically reduced rate. This should result in a higher level of health and fitness and an increased capacity to function appropriately in the workplace.

Total Community Action will register participants and provide financial literacy counseling and planning, as well as enrolling them in Individual Development Accounts. For participants, Total Access will contribute $2.00 for each $1.00 students invest. Total Action will also provide childcare assistance to eligible applicants throughout its Head Start Centers.

Program graduates will automatically be linked to JOB1 and Total Community Action’s placement assistance, job counseling, and job retention follow-up services. Both entities will be able to link graduates to other community services such as childcare assistance, transportation, and the purchase of work clothes. This, in turn, will help them retain employment.

1d. Certificates

Certificates will be awarded for successful completion of OSHA HAZWOPER 40 hour Incident Management, Mold Worker, Lead Worker, Asbestos Worker, and OSHA Construction Safety, as well as a certificate for completing the entire training course. College credit at LTC will also be granted to successful graduates.

1e. Recruitment and Screening

To reach out to the primary target population, GWI and LVI have publicized to five Neighborhood Associations in District B by placing posters and flyers in strategic locations, holding meetings with three Associations to inform them about the Brownfield Job Training Program and to hear from them how the program could best meet the needs of the community. GWI and LVI will follow up with the Directors of these Neighborhood Associations to ensure

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good communication regarding the program. The Project Coordinator will also meet with the Central City Economic Development and the Gert Town Revitalization Board to promote the program with residents and businesses.

When the formal recruitment period occurs, recruitment will be directed by the Project Coordinator in partnership with community organizations which have agreed to provide referrals and JOB1, which will assist by placing recruiting materials at its locations and publicizing the program to its clientele. The Project Coordinator will:

- Approach leaders of religious and cultural institutions to set up community meetings- Set up information tables at shopping centers and social service offices, and community fairs to

promote the program.- Partnering with the court and school systems to distribute recruiting information.

Recruiting materials will consist of printed flyers for distribution to community information outlets; newspaper ads for placement in local newspapers; broadcast media campaigns targeted to relevant language groups on local radio and cable television.

JOB1 will take the lead in screening, providing Work Keys career interest and aptitude testing, as well as entry testing for math and reading competency. For applicants that pass the minimum requirements, drug testing will be provided prior to program entry.

1f. Placement and Tracking (See also Section 5, Performance Measurement)

Placements will occur through a combination of efforts by the Project Coordinator, JOB1, and a number of consulting firms that have agreed to assist with mentoring and hiring. JOB1 will provide incentives to prospective employers through On-the-job-Training (OJT) or Work Experience (WE) contracts. Consulting firms that have agreed to hire students or use the program as a First Source include Barnes, Ferland and Associates (BFA), A & K Environmental, LLC BMC3 Environmental Services (BMC3), Three-Fold Engineering Company (TFC), and The Environmental Group. Firms will be informed by the partners about tax incentives that may accrue to companies who hire program graduates.

The above-listed forms will offer mentoring services to students with regard to environmentally related jobs. KHC, a Community Organization that assists investors in rebuilding communities, will refer contractors to us to hire our program graduates and will refer students to the program. Additionally, the Project Coordinator will develop an employer network and database, and keep this network informed about progress in the training, student availability, and the benefits of hiring program graduates.

The Coordinator will develop and maintain a working relationship with The City of New Orleans to track progress of redevelopment projects on Brownfields and other sites, and will cultivate relationships with those firms that are conducting assessments and/or cleanups within the City.

Graduates will be tracked for 12 months, and will remain in the JOB1 database for this period. Graduates who are not hired immediately will continue to receive job counseling from JOB1. Likewise, the Project Coordinator will continue to work with employers to find placement opportunities for program graduates. The projected retention rate in the work place is 85% after 12 months and 70% after 24 months.

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1g. Correlation to Job Market

The proposed course of study correlates directly with the types of environmental jobs currently available in New Orleans, which include site assessments and cleanups of Brownfields and petroleum sites; de-construction and demolition projects that will provide opportunity for lead and asbestos assessment and removal work; post-disaster assessment and cleanup of damaged properties, including inert debris, potentially hazardous and/or toxic substances, and mold, and; construction related activities with potential environmental considerations, requiring a working knowledge of construction safety practices.

1h. Accessibility

Partner LVI will provide training space in the target area, providing convenient access for students participating in the program.

1i. Undue Burden to Students

Students will not be significantly burdened by the expense of training, medical monitoring, or post-graduation certification fees. LTC will provide all required books or similar materials required by individual students in the classroom at no charge. As has been noted, Excelth will provide extremely low-cost medical screening and monitoring ($20.00 is the starting rate on a sliding scale). Every effort will be made to find funds through appropriate community organizations to pay for exam (certification or licensing) fees. Unionization of environmental workers is uncommon in New Orleans, and is unlikely to be a factor with regards to expense.

2. Community Involvement and Employer Partnerships

GWI and LVI have had several discussions and meetings with the city officials responsible for Brownfield site management and have received extensive guidance regarding the preparation of this application from those officials. Through its exclusive partnership with the city’s JOB1 work force development program, the partnership feels that it has extensive and unfettered access to critical city resources needed to make this program a success.

To reach out to the primary target population, GWI and LVI have publicized to five Neighborhood Associations in District B by placing posters and flyers in strategic locations, holding meetings with three Associations to inform them about the Brownfield Job Training Program and to hear from them how the program could best meet the needs of the community. GWI and LVI will follow up with the Directors of these Neighborhood Associations to ensure good communication regarding the program. The Project Coordinator will also meet with the Central City Economic Development and the Gert Town Revitalization Board to promote the program with residents and businesses.

In January 2008, the Cooperative Partners will develop an Advisory Committee for program oversight that will consist of the following members:

- GWI- LVI- LTC- JOB1- Central City resident - Local Environmentalist

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Throughout the program year, GWI and LVI will host and conduct at least five community meetings to discuss the program, recruit participants and to ensure the program continues to meet community needs.

Before each graduation class, GWI, JOB1 and LVI will host a luncheon for Environmental Engineering Companies and Brownfield Investors as a reminder of the Program and wage incentive.

In January 2008, we will develop a Recruitment and Screening Committee (RSC) (to strategize) the recruitment and screening process. The committee will include a member from each cooperative partner and community stakeholder.

Community partnerships have already established with the Central City Economic Opportunity Corporation (community meetings, childcare assistance, referrals, outreach), GertTown Revitalization Community (community meetings, referrals, outreach), Katrina’s House of Care (referrals matching students to contractors working in redevelopment), EXCELth Health Services (medical screening and monitoring), and Total Community Action (financial planning, investment matching program).

An effort has been made, through the selection of partners, to ensure that prospective students succeed. Community partnerships are in place to provide adequate referrals from which to select students. LTC provides the structure and instructional capability to provide high quality classroom and field training experiences. LVI contributes experience and expertise in environmental training. Community partners have committed to host community meetings and provide referrals (student and company). A number of companies have made commitments to either hire students or consider the program as a First Source for employment. The JOB1 partnership will provide access to testing, soft skills instruction, career counseling, case management, continued assistance with placements, and employer incentives. Students will have access to medical monitoring and financial planning.

LVI has successfully planned and implemented one year of Environmental Technician training for inner city youth in partnership with BFA (Barnes, Ferland and Associates, Inc) an environmental engineering firm with offices in Florida and Louisiana, GWI, and JOB1. The curriculum for that program is the basis for the curriculum proposed herein. It was developed by LVI in partnership with end user BFA, which provided a grant to support this work. (See Environmental Past Results and Performance, performance, Section 5).

LVI also made modifications to the curriculum based on discussions with corporate and training partners BMC3 Environmental Services (BMC3) and community partner Deep South. Debris Removal management was added to the subject matter after discussions with corporate partners Three-Fold Engineering Company (TFC). Both BFA and TFC have hired students trained through our existing program.

3. Programmatic Capability and Institutional Capacity

GWI’s history and experience is rich in providing vocational training and job placement to disabled and economically disadvantaged individuals. Goodwill’s mission is to strengthen communities by connecting people experiencing employment barriers to work. Since 1947 Goodwill has provided vocational evaluation, employment and training to disabled and economically disadvantaged residents of New Orleans and surrounding 23 parishes. It is the

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contracting manager of the City of New Orleans JOB1 Career Solutions, and was instrumental in securing Priestly Charter School of Architecture and Construction in New Orleans.

3a. Organizational Capacity to Track And Report Outcomes

Goodwill uses GoodTrak, a data collection and evaluation software program, to report outcomes of its programs. Statistics are maintained on each program and for each participant in GoodTrak. This is also a system for case management/data collection/program evaluation. Program results are reported monthly to the Goodwill staff, Board, and other partners as applicable.

3b. Organizational Experience In Operating Grant Federal And Non-Federal Sources:

Goodwill has extensive experience in managing federal, state, local and private funding sources, operating a $20 million budget. Goodwill has served as the fiduciary on grants in the amount of $3.8 million in 2005, and is currently managing an $8.8 million national emergency grant from the Department of Labor /2006.

3c.Organization’s Fiscal Controls

Goodwill uses generally accepted accounting principles. Checks written over $ 20,000 require two signatures. Annual audits are completed in a timely manner. The organization is good standing with the State of Louisiana legislature auditors. All grants are segregated and tractable in the general ledger.

3d. Organization’s Ability To Handle Multiple Funding Streams

Goodwill’s budget is representative of capability of managing multiple funding streams. The accounting system is set such that all budget items have charts of accounts, and are maintained through sophisticated accounting software. Lastly, the organization’s successful audit reports gives credence to its ability to manage various funding streams. Goodwill continues to operate the Projects With Industry (PWI) and JOB1. PWI is a grant with the U.S. Department of Education, and JOB1 is supported by the City of New Orleans under the Workforce Development Board. The following represents Goodwill’s success in implementing the relevant program. In 2006 Goodwill served 15, 150 with educational training, job placement and support services. Of that number 971 were placed in employment.

GWI’s annual independent audits show strong internal control over financial reporting and compliance in accordance with Government Auditing Standards and with requirements under OMB Circular A-133. In its Audit Report to the Board of 2006 (full copy available upon request), auditors LaPorte Sehrt, Romig & Hand, declared the following regarding the Standards:

“No significant deficiencies relating to the audit of the combined financial statement of Goodwill Industries of Southeaster Louisiana, Inc. and Goodworks, Inc. are reported in the Report on internal control Over Financial Reporting Statements Performed in Accordance with the Government Audit Standards.”

Similarly, in regard to OMB Circular A-133, declared LaPorte Sehrt, Romig & Hand:

“No significant deficiencies relating to the audit of the major federal award programs are reported in the Report on Compliance with Requirements Applicable to Each Major Program and Internal Control over Compliance.”

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Finally, in its “Summary of Audit Results,” LaPorte Sehrt, Romig & Hand stated, “Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana was not determined to be a low-risk auditee.”

GWI’s past performance in managing similar contracts is excellent.

GWI has been under renewed contract with the City of New Orleans for the past three years, managing the $5 million the JOB1 Career Solutions Contract through Workforce. HUD Unity Grants ($275,000) trains homeless individuals in culinary arts, and assists homeless individuals with finding employment. The Health and Human Service Grant ($400,000) Strategic Employment to Empower People Grant (STEP) falls under the City of New Orleans through the Department of Labor. This grant provides employment training for unwedded mothers. GWI is under third renewal in November for $700,000 to help people with disabilities obtain competitive employment.

The following table shows due and submission dates for the requisite quarterly reports for the aforementioned contracts or grants October 2005- 2007. It is the policy of GWI to submit all reports by the 5th working day of the month.

City of New Orleans HUD-Unity Health and Human Resources

Due Submitted Due Submitted Due Submitted10/15/07 10/05/07 10/15/07 10/05/07 10/15/07 10/05/0707/15/07 07/09/07 07/15/07 07/09/07 07/15/07 07/09/0704//15/07 04/05/07 04//15/07 04/05/07 04//15/07 04/05/0701/15/06 01/05/07 01/15/06 01/05/07 01/15/06 01/05/0704/15/06 04/05/06 04/15/06 04/05/06 04/15/06 04/05/0607/15/06 07/07/06 07/15/06 07/07/06 07/15/06 07/07/0610/15/06 10/05/06 10/15/06 10/05/06 10/15/06 10/05/0601/15/07 01/05/07 01/15/07 01/05/07 01/15/07 01/05/0710/15/05 01/05/06* 10/15/05 01/05/06* 10/15/05 01/05/06*07/15/05 07/05/05 07/15/05 07/05/05 07/15/05 07/05/0504/15/05 04/05/05 04/15/05 04/05/05 04/15/05 04/05/05

*Reports were late due to Hurricane Katrina

3e. Institutional Capacity

The following personnel will contribute to management of the proposed grant:

William L. Jessee, President/CEO, has a B.A. in Behavioral Sciences from the University of Maryland. He is a graduate of Goodwill Industries International’s Executive Training Program. He has over 26 years experience with Goodwill Industries, 19 of which were as President/CEO of Goodwill Organizations in Charleston, SC, Zanesville, OH, Mobile, AL, Dayton, OH and New Orleans, LA. He currently serves on the New Orleans Workforce Investment Board, the Executive and Program Committees of that Board.

Jodee Daroca, Vice President, Finance and Administration, has her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Louisiana State University and is a Certified Public Accountant. Ms. Daroca is a member of the American Institute of CPA’s, the Society of Louisiana CPA’s, and a member of the World Trade Center’s Board of Directors. Ms. Daroca has served in her professional

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capacity since 1986 with Landmark Land Company, Inc./Oak Tree Federal Savings Bank and Silocaf of New Orleans, Inc. Her experiences included responsibility for the fiscal department, financial statements, regulatory reporting, management reports, accounting system, computer systems, monitoring budget/fiscal activity and personnel management. Ms. Daroca joined Goodwill in 2005 where she performs similar duties.

Cindy Denney, Director of Development and Community Relations for Goodwill Southeastern Louisiana, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Louisiana State University. Originally from Baton Rouge, she has over 15 years of Public Relations and Marketing experience including media strategy, crisis management, branding, event marketing and philanthropic marketing. She has worked with various companies and non-profits including Jose Cuervo International, Virgin Records, Hard Rock Café, Philip Morris and The Silverlake Conservatory of Music. Mrs. Denney joined the Development staff of Goodwill in January 2007.

4. Environmental Past Results and Performance

Under a small grant from BFA, GWI, LVI and JOB1 partnered on an environmental training program in 2006 to test the concept in the New Orleans market. Eighteen (18) students enrolled in the training program, 13 of whom successfully completed the course work. Seven secured jobs with environmental companies, four in the construction industry, and two as laborers in the New Orleans area. The pay range for all jobs is $12.00 and $17.00 per hour. Two are seeking a higher education at local college. Monthly and quarterly reports were submitted to JOB1 on students’ activities, progress, and placement. Placement outcomes were reported to the State Employment office for monitoring of work activities and tenure. Interest in this trial program and the obvious need in the community were compelling factors in the decision to apply for Brownfields Job Training funding. Please note section 3 regarding GWI’s past history at managing grants.

5. Performance Measurement

The proposed partnership expects an expression of interest from 80 – 100 prospective students, from which 40 candidates will be chosen (10 each in four training cycles. Students not accepted into the program will be referred to other possible training program through the networking strengths of GWI and JOB1, respectively.

Prior to and during training, several logistic milestones provide excellent opportunity for measuring program progress. The following table describes measurable activities to be performed prior to, during, and following training cycles:

Program Target #: Activity:>5 Conduct community meetings to discuss Program, recruit participants, and

to ensure Program meets community needs80 – 100 Target community residents responding to the multi-activity outreach

campaigns by communicating their interest in the Program60-70 Individuals formally applying for acceptance into the Program

and being reviewed by the screening committee40 Applicants accepted into the Program90% Completion rate by Program trainees80% Placement rate of graduates within 90 days of graduation80% Retention rate at 12 months after graduation

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75% Retention rate at 24 months after graduation25% Program graduates enrolled in additional environmental training

at a post-secondary educational institution 24 months after graduation (assumes that some graduates may be simultaneously employed in

environmentally related jobs and enrolled in post-secondary education.

As has been noted, the primary measurable is placements. With the assistance of JOB1 in providing employer incentives, tracking of employed students will occur for one year. During the 12 months period, graduates still searching for work will have regularly scheduled counseling/case management review sessions with JOB1 further assist with job placement. Graduates receiving job offers and supported by JOB1 employer incentive subsidies will be tracked to monitor the employee-employer relationship and determine if on-the-job performance is satisfactory. Should students acquire jobs outside the influence of JOB1 and its employer incentives, the Project Coordinator will communicate with graduates on a regular basis to monitor their job satisfaction, pay rate, and whether the employer has further personnel needs. Employers will also be contacted on a regular basis to determine their satisfaction level with the employee and to solicit suggestions about what changes would improve the program and its graduates’ performance.

Following is a summary of Outcomes and Outputs from the proposed training program:

5a. Outcomes

The proposed objectives are supported by a partnership designed to ensure successful, measurable outcomes, some of which will manifest within the project period and some that should continue to develop as long-term life skills, including:

- The ability for graduates to acquire and maintain employment.- Appropriate and demonstrable skills to perform required work in a safe and reliable manner.- Improved long-term health and behavior, including a higher level of community awareness and

a sense of environmental and civic responsibility.- Increased capacity to do work.

5b. Outputs

Outputs from the proposed program include:

- Successful completion of all course work.- Direct and consistent involvement in the target community through community-based outreach

efforts in Central City, District B at large, and the Gert Town community. - Synergy among companies performing work in the community through their contributions to

and cross-pollination as a result of the proposed program.- An improved employment rate among the target population.- Filing of appropriate work plans as required before commencement of training and in the event

of program modifications under the cooperative agreement (deliverable).- Transmittal to USEPA of relevant materials indicating progress in the program, such as

brochures, community-based presentations, graduation notices and programs (deliverable).- Filing of required quarterly reports that contain substantive detail and accurate accounting with

regard to progress in the program, and a final closeout report that accurately summarizes the program’s successes (deliverable).

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6. Community Need and Environmental Justice

6a. Community Need

New Orleans (population ~200,000) has long had a high incidence of poverty. Prior to the mass migration following the 2005 hurricane season, more than 25 percent of families lived below the poverty level. The city also has faced environmental justice issues for decades, and is both a federally designated Enterprise and a Renewal Community. Many facilities that pose serious environmental concerns, such as landfills and incinerators, are located in environmental justice communities. The City has identified 177 closed service stations and 267 hazardous sites that affect the city’s ability to redevelop.

District B of Orleans Parish encompasses 20 neighborhood associations in proximity to numerous Brownfields sites and several “Portfields,” river front wharf properties degraded by generations of environmental neglect.

Central City, the core of the recruiting target for this proposal, falls within District B. It is among the most impoverished areas within the City’s jurisdiction. According to the 2000 National Census (source: Greater New Orleans Community Data Center, (gnocdc.org), Central City contained 19,072 residents at that time. Of these, approximately 58% of the population fell in the target employment range (18 – 64 years is the reported demographic of the census data), yet only 61% derived income from a salary, wage, or self-employment. The remaining 39% were supported by Social Security, supplemental Social Security, or public assistance, significantly higher than in Greater New Orleans and the national average.

Among the population ages 16 years and older, 37% reported being employed in civilian or military service, 9.5% reported being unemployed, and 53% were reported as not in the labor force. This resulted in a composite non-working force of over 60%. The 12-17 year-old demographic constitutes only about 10% of the entire population, so the population bracket 16 – 18 likely accounts for no more than about 4%, meaning that a majority of the population in the 18 – 64 demographic is likely unemployed or dramatically underemployed. Approximately 51% of census interviewees indicated that they did not work in the preceding year, and another 10% worked less than 26 weeks. Only 27% reported working a full year. Among those for whom a poverty status has been determined, approximately, 49.8% were reported as living in poverty. Only the northwest third of Central City was dramatically affected by Hurricane Katrina, suggesting that little has changed to affect these data. Perhaps the most profound effect of Hurricane Katrina on Central City was loss of job opportunity through the closing of businesses affected by the storm, some of which likely employed Central City.

There are approximately forty Brownfield sites in the Central City neighborhood, all of which need to be addressed as part of Central City’s economic revitalization. Also, two of the three housing projects in this community are now slated for demolition and will likely be added to the roster of Brownfield sites. Central City Economic Development has been working to promote the redevelopment of Brownfields in this area for years. Central City is one of the oldest predominately African American communities in the City, dating back to the mid-1800s. With the disappearance of businesses in the neighborhood in the 1950’s, many industrial properties were abandoned and are now designated as a Brownfield sites.

Clearly, the Central City community is an example of extreme need with regard to both environmental quality and quality of life. The target areas is an extreme in a city of extremes,

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containing a vastly disproportionate concentration of poverty and joblessness, a dearth of employment opportunity, and a lengthy list of environmental suspect properties in need attention simply to make neighborhoods marginally safe for citizens. The proposed cooperative partnership sincerely believes that a Brownfields Job Training grant sited in District B represents a significant opportunity to apply resources where the need is, to improve the quality of life, human health, and the environment.

6b. Environmental Justice

It has been said that, “The poor suffer first, last and most.” In response, the proposed cooperative partners’ motto is, “The greatest need coincides with the greatest opportunity.” The Brownfields Job Training Program is represents an extraordinary invitation to address extraordinary need. The proposed program is designed to honor the US EPA definition of environmental justice: "fair treatment for people of all races, cultures, and incomes, regarding the development of environmental laws, regulations, and policies." This will manifest through: 1) Identifying those individuals who are disadvantaged in terms of job skills, location, and historical precedent for inclusion in the program; 2) Providing instruction and assistance, through every phase of the training process, that reflects a sincere belief in the equality of all people; 3) Working to provide the high quality skills required to improve students’ lives and circumstances; 4) Working to match student and employer in a manner that attends to the needs and desires of both; 5) A commitment to promote the concept of environmental justice in course materials and in communication with employers, stakeholders, and the community at large.

7. Comprehensive Budget and Leveraged Resources

The following table contains the proposed comprehensive budget.

Project Funding Instruction Outreach Other Tasks TotalEPA Funding Personnel $25,000.00 $48,000.00 $48,000.00 $121,000.00 Fringe Benefits $0.00 Performance Reporting $8,000.00 $8,000.00 Travel $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $7,000.00 $9,000.00 Contractual $50,000.00 $ $50,000.00 Supplies $10,000.00 $2,000.00 $12,000.00

Other (specify) $ -

Total EPA Funds $86,000.00 $51,000.00 $63,000.00 $200,000.00 Non-EPA Funds Administrative Costs $10,000.00 $10,000.00

Other (specify) $75,000.00 $5,000.

00 $ 220,000.00 $300,000.00 Total Non-EPA Funds $85,000.00 $5,000.00 $220,000.00 $310,000.00

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7a. EPA Funding

The proposed budget is based on EPA-provided fund representing approximately 40% of the total budget for the funding period. The remainder will be comprised of leveraged resources.

In overview, the budget cost distribution is based on the following:

Personnel: Instructional costs and the cost of a Project Coordinator to manage day-to-day operations, develop outreach strategies, and serve as a liaison to the community and among partners.

Reporting: Time required to develop and submit the project work plan, quarterly reports, and the closeout report; to post updates to the ACRES database, and; to perform other, unscheduled reporting tasks as required by UP EPA.

Travel: Costs for partners to meet training, outreach, and regional/national Brownfields meeting obligations.

Contractual: The cost of contract classes that fall beyond the purview of standard community college offerings, i.e., Hazwoper, Lead Worker, Mold Worker, Asbestos Worker, OSHA Construction Safety.

Supplies: The cost of supplies to be used in instruction and outreach.

7b. Leverage

Leveraged resources represented in the proposed budget include contributions in time, materials, and cash including:

- Grant and fiscal management time.- Contributions of time and equipment for use in instruction.- The cost of half the tuition and all books and related learning materials.- Student testing, case management, and employer incentives, i.e., On-the-job-Training and

Work Experience contracts.- Contributions of classroom space, public meeting space, and time contributed for public

meetings and partnership responsibilities.

A more complete budget narrative appears in Attachment F.

8. Sustainability

As has been noted, the partnership is working with LTC, which has already agreed to give students in the proposed training program college credit for their successful completion of the program. The partnership will continue to work with LTC to clarify and define what components of this continuing education curriculum can be successfully migrated to a full-time, for college credit degree program. Given that many similar startup programs must evolve and demonstrate viability in the marketplace before being seriously considered for degree status, the partnership feels that the current timing and location are ideal to create a program that can play a vital role in helping rehabilitate a community infrastructure and population in significant need of renewal.

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Attachment A

Standard Form 424

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Attachment B

Letters of Support

Organization Contact PhoneA & K Environmental, LLC (AK) Mr. Carl J. Lyons 504-975-9816Barnes, Ferland and Associates (BFA) Mr. Patrick Barnes 504-930-9984BMC3 Environmental Services (BMC3) Mr. Bruce McClue, III 504-236-4752

Central City Economic Opportunity Corporation (CCO) Ms. Priscilla Edwards 504-524-3484

Deep South Center for EnvironmentalJustice, Dillard University (DSCEJ) Myra M. Lewis, Ph..D. 504-861-4005

District B Councilwoman Stacy S. Head 504-658-1020EXCELth Health Services (EXC), Inc. Mr. Michael Andry 504-524-1210GertTown Revitalization

Community (GTRC) Rev. Lois Dejean 504-866-5201 JOB1 (JOB1) Mr. David M. Jones 504-568-7284Louisiana Department of Environmental

Quality (Brownsfield Officer) Mr. Roger Gingles 225-219-3236Louisiana Technical College (LTC) Ms. Kim Evans Rugon 504-736-7274Representative Karen CarterThe Environmental Group TEG) Mr. Jonathan Pullin 504-525-5445Three-Fold Engineering Company (TFC) Rodney Williams 504-799-3653Total Community Action (TCA) Carolyn Ford 504-872-0329

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Attachment C

Letter of Intent to State Authority

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Attachment D

Course Outline and Timetable

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Proposed Brownfields Job Training Course OverviewCourse of Study Hours

Environmental Certificate Training- OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER Incident command level 40- Mold Worker 24- Lead 16- Asbestos Worker 32- OSHA Construction Safety 30Other Environmental Training- Engineering, Science and Technical Background 44- Federal, State and Local Environmental Rules and Regulations 24- Debris Removal Quality Assurance Monitoring 24- Environmental Site Assessments 30- Industrial Compliance Audits 28- Environmental Field Equipment/ Use of Computers 24- Working in teams - Field Assignments 8- Working in Teams, Practical Exams and Team Projects 8Non-Environmental Training (Leveraged)- Ethics in Work Place 24- Job Readiness skills 48Total 404

Timetable Year 1Month Activities0 – 3 Recruitment, student selection; contemporaneous development of community

outreach programs, expansion of employer network. Filing quarterly reports. 4-6 Training, implementation of outreach programs, Filing quarterly reports. 7-9 Placement for training class one; recruitment, student selection for training class two,

expansion of employer network. Filing quarterly reports.10-12 Second training session, implementation of outreach programs, Filing quarterly

reports.

Timetable Year 213-15 Placement for training class two; recruitment, student selection for training class

three, expansion of employer network. Filing quarterly reports.16-18 Third raining class, implementation of outreach programs, Filing quarterly reports. 19-21 Placement for training class three; recruitment, student selection for training class

four, expansion of employer network. Filing quarterly reports.22-24 Completion of final training class; Filing quarterly report and Final Closeout report.

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Attachment E

Instructor Names and Credentials

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Instructor and Credentials Course

Matilda Tennessee, M.B.A.(Business Administration) University of Pheonix

Guyland Sanders (B.A., Marketing & Management) Grambling State University

Job Readiness

Ethics in the Workplace

John W. Willis, P.G. (M.S., B.S., Marine Science and Geology), Unversity of South Florida and University of Georgia

HAZWOPER, HAZMAT, OSHA, Confined Space Entry

Roger E. Simon, P.G., (B.S., Geology), Howard University

Darren Miller, (Water and Wastewater Training Program), Texas A&M University

Remediation and technology, the Clean Air Act, mold, radon, lead, asbestos, aware, introduction to contaminants, environmental math, map scales and reading

John D. Watson, P.H. (B.S., Hydrology) University of New Hampshire


Murock M. Monroe, (B.S., Hydrology), University of Arizona Tucson

Ecology and hydrology, Phase I and Phase II, UST, hazardous and Brownfields assessments, assessment research, quality control/quality assurance, field data collection, fields testing and equipment, soil classification and testing, and groundwater sampling, measurement, and testing.

Darren Miller, (Radon Measurement Operators Training Program), State Department of Health

Lead Awareness

Samuel J. Roberts (B.S. ,Civil Engineering) Alabama A&M University

OSHA Construction Safety

Daniel L. Allen, P.E. (B.S., Civil Engineering) University of Michigan

Engineering, Science and Technical Background

Ronald P. Ferland, P.E. (B.S., Environmental Engineering) University of Florida

Federal, State and Local Environmental Rules and Regulations

Patrick A. Barnes, P.G. (B.S., Geology) S.U.N.Y. at Stony Brook

Pamela Frank (B.S., Education) McNeese State University

Debris Removal Quality Assurance Monitoring

John W. Willis, P.G., (M.S., B.S., Marine Science and Geology), Unversity of South Florida and University of Georgia

Industrial Compliance Audits

Murock M. Monroe, (B.S., Hydrology), University of Arizona Tucson

Environmental Field Equipment/ Use of Computers


Environmental Site Assessments

John W. Willis, P.G., (M.S., B.S., Marine Science and Geology), Unversity of South Florida and University of Georgia

Working in teams - Field Assignments

Working in Teams, Practical Exams and Team Projects

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Attachment F

Budget Narrative

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Proposed Comprehensive Budget

Project Funding Instruction Outreach Other Tasks Total

EPA Funding Personnel $25,000.00 $48,000.00 $48,000.00 $121,000.00 Fringe Benefits $0.00 Performance Reporting $8,000.00 $8,000.00 Travel $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $7,000.00 $9,000.00 Contractual $50,000.00 $ $50,000.00 Supplies $10,000.00 $2,000.00 $12,000.00

Other (specify) $ -

Total EPA Funds $86,000.00 $51,000.00 $63,000.00 $200,000.00 Non-EPA Funds Administrative Costs $10,000.00 $10,000.00

Other (specify) $75,000.00 $

5,000.00 $

220,000.00 $300,000.00 Total Non-EPA Funds $85,000.00 $5,000.00 $220,000.00 $310,000.00

EPA Funding

The proposed budget is built around creating a holistic program that involves the community at crucial levels, provides a public face to the training program, enlists employer support, and supplies students with quality training that will make them competitive in the marketplace.

Personnel

This category includes half the cost of instruction through LTC (the other half will be contributed by LTC) and the cost of a coordinator (an employee of proposed sub-grantee LVI) to develop and manage community outreach efforts, serve as a liaison among the partners, develop relationships with employers and professionals who can contribute expertise and resources to training and outreach programs.

Performance Reporting

This category includes time to acquire the requisite data to submit required quarterly reports and the closeout report, as well as whatever interim reporting data are require, including keeping records current in the ACRES database.

Travel

The category includes travel and lodging expenses for grantee or grant partner(s) travel to one national Brownfields conference per year and one national job training grantee meeting per year (currently conducted by HMTRI), or to other Brownfields related workshops approved by the assigned Brownfields Project Manager, Region 6.

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Also included are funds to support the cost of travel required for instruction and outreach activities (Project Coordinator).

Contractual Services

This category represents pay to acquire instruction for HAZWOPER, lead worker, asbestos worker, and OSHA 30 hour construction training. While LTC can acquire the services of local experts to perform the other training, these require instructors with a specific combination of training, certification, and on-the-job experience. The courses for which contractual arrangements are likely to be required are: OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER Incident command level; Mold Worker, Lead Worker, Asbestos Worker, OSHA Construction Safety.

Supplies

This category is for instructional materials, safety, health, and science apparatus that may be beneficial to the training experience, including additional equipment for demonstrations in HAZWOPER or in the field based classes, i.e., meters, test kits, expendables, and for the cost of supplies required to carry out outreach efforts, such as printing and copying.

Non-EPA Funding

Administrative Costs

This line item represents the cost of grant administration by GWI personnel. Tasks include responsibility for delivering quarterly reports within the specified period (30 days following end of quarter) and the Final Closeout Report (90 days following end of grant period). Also required is fiscal management of grant funds, including providing surety that funds are spent in eligible categories, and ensuring that MWBE reports are filed in a timely manner.

Other

Instruction

This represents the contributed cost of half of the instruction by LTC, and well as its contribution of all books and other similar classroom materials; contributed time and resources from the local environmental community to provide additional classroom and field-based instruction, and; LVI’s contribution of a training facility (space) in the target community and use of equipment.

Outreach

This category is for the contributions of community based organizations (Gert Town and Central City Economic Opportunity Corporation) to help develop and implement outreach efforts, attend advisory council meetings, provide communication to the community at large, and assist with curriculum review. It also includes the contributed cost of testing (drug, reading, career path) services to help recruit and screen applicants and support them while they are in the training.

Other Tasks

This category includes the contribution of JOB1 in providing case management and employment subsidy for graduates through on-the-job-training and work experience contracts. Also included are in kind contributions from Total Action in the form of childcare assistance, financial planning and counseling and a 2:1 matching program for student investments Individual Investment Accounts, and; in kind contributions from Excelth in the form of drastically reduced-cost medical screening, monitoring and personal health counseling.

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