2026 WIOA Title I Youth Workforce Development Services

Agency:	RochesterWorks
State:	New York
Type of Government:	State & Local
NAICS Category:	541611 - Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services 541990 - All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 611430 - Professional and Management Development Training
Posted Date:	Apr 2, 2026
Due Date:	May 7, 2026
Original Source:	Please Login to View Page
Contact information:	Please Login to View Page
Bid Documents:	Please Login to View Page

ADDED: April 2, 2026

Request for Proposals | PDF

Request for Proposals Notice | PDF

Attachments

A-1 Proposal Summary Form | DOC

A-2 Budget Instructions & Forms | DOC

A-3 Certifications | PDF

A-4 Youth Works Model | PDF

A-5 WDB Performance Goals | PDF

A-6 Target Population & Eligibility | PDF

A-7 Navigator Responsibilities & Service Delivery Guidelines | PDF

A-8 Workforce Terms & Definitions | PDF

A-9 14 Required WIOA Youth Elements | PDF

A-10 Monitoring & Support | PDF

DUE: Thursday, May 7, 2026, no later than 12:00 PM (Noon).

Contact Isabel Ramirez

Attachment Preview

Monroe County/Rochester Workforce Development Board (WDB)

Program Year 2026 (PY2026) Request for Proposals

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Title I Youth Formula Program

Year-Round Workforce Development Services and Elements

IMPORTANT DATES AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Release Date: Thursday, April 2, 2026

Bidders Conference, not mandatory: (Zoom): Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 1:00 PM

https://rochesterorks.zoom.us/j/88464362103

Proposal Due Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026, by 12:00 PM (Noon)

Workforce Development Board Approval: June 16, 2026

Formal Award Notification: June 17, 2026

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Proposals must be submitted electronically as a single PDF document by the stated deadline.

Submit proposals to:

Isabel Ramirez

Youth Services Administrative Assistant

RochesterWorks

Phone: 585-258-3500 ext. 3508

Email: Iramirez@rochesterworks.org

Late submissions will not be accepted.

1. BACKGROUND

RochesterWorks, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, serves as the fiscal agent, career center

operator, and administrative entity for the Monroe County/Rochester Workforce Development

Board (WDB), which oversees millions of dollars in workforce development resources,

including WIOA funds. RochesterWorks is located at 100 College Ave, Suite 200, Rochester,

NY 14607.

As Monroe County’s largest employment and training system, RochesterWorks was established

under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) to coordinate federally funded employment and

training programs and is now governed by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

(WIOA). WIOA connects job seekers to employment, education, training, and supportive

services while helping employers build and retain a skilled workforce.

Services are delivered through three (3) Career Centers and a network of community-based

organizations. These Career Centers provide “one-stop” access to job search tools, workshops,

career counseling, and training opportunities. RochesterWorks also supports businesses through

recruitment services, job postings, and workforce development resources.

2. PURPOSE

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds a formula-based youth workforce

development program serving eligible youth ages 17–24 who face barriers to employment.

These funds support service strategies that prepare youth for post-secondary education and

employment through integrated academic and occupational learning, delivered in partnership

with America’s Job Centers (RochesterWorks) and under the direction of the Workforce

Development Board.

RochesterWorks, Inc. is soliciting proposals from qualified governmental entities, educational

institutions, and community-based organizations to serve 100% Out-of-School Youth (OSY)

populations. Through this process, RochesterWorks will select agencies to support the

recruitment and placement of Youth Workforce Development Service Navigators for the contract

period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029.

This initiative prioritizes employment outcomes, employer engagement, and career

pathway alignment.

Programs must align with current U.S. Department of Labor guidance, including Training and

Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) and Training and Employment Notice (TEN) such as

program design (TEGL 21-16, TEGL 09-22), equity (TEGL 21-22), performance (TEGL 10-

16), data validation (TEGL 23-19), outreach (TEGL 03-23), innovation (TEGL 05-25),

artificial intelligence (TEGL 03-25 and TEN 7-25), and training (TEGL 08-19)

Definitions

• Full-Time Equivalent (FTE): One employee working full-time

• Out-of-School Youth (OSY): Individuals ages 16–24 who are not attending school and

meet WIOA eligibility criteria

• Navigator: A full-time position responsible for delivering workforce development

services; each Navigator represents one FTE

Capacity Requirements

Preference will be given to agencies that can host 2 to 4 Navigators. Agencies proposing only

one Navigator must provide a detailed contingency plan outlining how services will be

maintained during staff transitions, including the typical six-week recruitment and onboarding

period.

3. NAVIGATOR ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Navigator Support Model

Navigators play a central role in supporting youth as they work toward their educational and

employment goals through a structured case management approach. While participants are

responsible for taking ownership of their outcomes, Navigators are expected to guide, motivate,

and support youth through relationship-building, effective communication, and consistent

engagement. Navigators cannot force

change but are expected to influence positive outcomes through trust, accountability, and

ongoing support.

Core Responsibilities

Navigators are responsible for delivering comprehensive workforce development services,

including:

• Conducting targeted outreach and recruitment of Out-of-School Youth (OSY), with an

emphasis on reaching individuals facing barriers to employment, including those

disconnected from education and the workforce

• Implementing intentional outreach strategies to effectively engage underserved and

priority populations, using community-based, partner-driven, and data-informed

approaches

• Conducting assessment, eligibility determination, and enrollment of targeted youth

• Assisting youth in identifying career pathway(s) and pursuing appropriate education,

training, and employment opportunities

• Developing and maintaining an Individual Service Strategy (ISS) based on fully

completing an objective assessment with ten required components.

• Ensuring participants have access to all 14 WIOA Youth Elements, based on individual

need and interest (see Attachment A-9), including advocacy for supportive services (e.g.,

clothing, transportation, personal hygiene products)

• Maintaining consistent engagement and relationship-building with participants

• Obtaining and maintaining access to the NYSDOL One-Stop Operating System

(OSOS) and ensuring accurate and timely data entry

• Completing all required OSOS data entry within 5 business days of contact with youth

• Utilizing the NYSDOL SENSE Model (Situation, Evaluation, Next Steps, Sufficient

Information, Employment-Related Information Only) when documenting progress notes

in OSOS

• Maintaining accurate, up-to-date case files, including SENSE-aligned progress notes and

all required supporting documentation

• Ensuring all reported data is accurate, complete, and supported by source

documentation, and that participant files are maintained in an audit-ready format at all

times (TEGL 23-19)

• Preparing youth for post-secondary education, training, and employment by providing

and/or connecting them to basic and occupational skills development, work readiness

training, and paid or unpaid work experiences

• Establishing and maintaining ongoing employer relationships to support work-based

learning opportunities, career exposure, and employment pathways for participants

• Supporting job placement and retention outcomes by connecting participants to

employment opportunities aligned with their goals and tracking employment progress

• Monitoring participant progress toward successful completion of WIOA performance

goals, including educational attainment, employment outcomes, and other agreed-upon

measures (see Attachment A-5)

• Providing ongoing follow-up services for up to 12 months after exit

Outreach and recruitment activities must be intentional, documented, and aligned with

program goals. Navigators are expected to demonstrate how outreach efforts lead to participant

engagement and enrollment. All outreach-related activities and associated costs must be

necessary, reasonable, and directly tied to program objectives, and must be supported by

appropriate documentation. (TEGL 03-23)

Navigators are also responsible for ensuring compliance with WIOA performance expectations

and funding requirements, including maintaining required Out-of-School Youth (OSY)

expenditure and work experience expenditure levels, and supporting achievement of WIOA

Primary Indicators of Performance, including employment in the second and fourth quarters

after exit, median earnings, credential attainment, and measurable skill gains.

4. NAVIGATOR APPROACH AND SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL

The Navigator model is grounded in the YouthWorks Model, aligning services with key

workforce outcomes including credential attainment, readiness, skill development, earnings, and

retention.

Navigators serve as the central point of coordination among educators, community organizations,

employers, Career Centers, and governmental partners. Through these partnerships, youth are

connected to the services and support necessary for success.

Providers are encouraged to incorporate innovative and flexible service delivery strategies,

including the use of technology, artificial intelligence (AI), digital tools, and emerging

approaches, to improve engagement, expand access, and enhance outcomes for youth. This may

include supporting participants in building digital literacy and foundational AI awareness, as

well as familiarity with tools increasingly used in education and the workplace, and exposure to

digital tools and emerging technologies relevant to career pathways. (TEGL 05-25)

Service Delivery Design

Navigators operate primarily within the community to expand access to workforce services for

Out-of-School Youth (OSY). This includes establishing partnerships, co-locating at youth-

centered sites, and conducting targeted outreach. The Navigator role is community-based and

field-oriented, requiring consistent presence where youth live, learn, and engage.

Service delivery should reflect flexibility and adaptability, utilizing a range of approaches—

including in-person, virtual, and hybrid engagement methods—to meet the evolving needs of

youth and respond to changing workforce demands. Navigators should also support participants

in developing foundational digital skills needed to navigate online systems, training

platforms, and modern workplace tools. (TEGL 05-25)

Navigators are expected to maintain flexible schedules, including availability beyond traditional

business hours, to effectively meet the needs of youth who may be balancing school, training, or

employment commitments.

Career Center Support

RochesterWorks Career Centers will support Navigators by providing workforce preparation

services such as:

• Assessments and career exploration

• Job readiness workshops

• Resume development and interview preparation

• Training opportunities and work experience

• Job fairs and hiring events

• Virtual Reality Career Exploration

Navigators may also access Career Center space and equipment on a limited, reservation basis.

5. FUNDING AND CONTRACT STRUCTURE

At the time of this RFP's release, funding has not yet been finalized; however, RochesterWorks

anticipates committing approximately $750,000 to support this initiative.

Each Navigator position is funded up to $75,000 per FTE, inclusive of all costs. Each Navigator

is expected to serve at least 25 active youth annually and provide 12 months of follow-up

services. (See A-2)

This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.

* Disclaimer: This website provides information about bids, requests for proposals (RFPs), or requests for qualifications (RFQs) for convenience only and does not serve as an official public notice. Individuals who wish to respond to or inquire about bids, RFPs, or RFQs should contact the relevant government department directly.

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2026 WIOA Title I Youth Workforce Development Services

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