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U.S. National Science Foundation

Process Systems, Reaction Engineering, and Molecular Thermodynamics

STEMPaths Innovation Network

Expand a program that provides math and reading interventions infused with Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) to students at Dunlap Elementary. Pilot a brick and mortar community-focused makerspace.

Eyebeam

Purchase a projection of high-definition Panasonic Projector, lens, projector mount

Health and Human Services Department

In compliance with the requirement of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 to provide opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) National Institutes of Health will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval.

Department of Fish and Wildlife

The Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 (Proposition 1) provides funding to implement the three broad objectives of the California Water Action Plan: more reliable water supplies, the restoration of important species and habitat, and a more resilient, sustainably managed water resources system (e.g., water supply, water quality, flood protection, environment) that can better withstand inevitable and unforeseen pressures in the coming decades. The Delta Water Quality and Ecosystem Restoration Grant Program funds projects that benefit the Delta.

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy

Proposition 1 allocation to the RMC is pursuant to Chapter 6 Protecting Rivers, Lakes, Streams, Coastal Waters and Watersheds and sets forth thirteen specific purposes and all grant funds must achieve at least four or more of the following objectives in order to receive funds: 1. Protect and increase the economic benefits arising from healthy watersheds, fishery resources and instream flow. 2. Implement watershed adaptation projects in order to reduce the impacts of climate change on communities and ecosystems. 3. Restore river parkways throughout the state, including but not limited to projects pursuant to the California River Parkways Act of 2004, in the Urban Streams Restoration Program established pursuant to Section 7048 and urban river greenways. 4. Protect and restore aquatic, wetland and migratory bird ecosystems including fish and wildlife corridors and the acquisition of water rights for instream flow. 5. Fulfill the obligations of the State of California in complying with the terms of multiparty settlement agreements related to water resources. 6. Remove barriers to fish passage. 7. Implement fuel treatment projects to reduce wildfire risks, protect watersheds tributary to water storage facilities and promote watershed health. 8. Protect and restore rural and urban watershed health to improve watershed storage capacity, forest health, protection of life and property, stormwater resource management, and greenhouse gas reduction. 9. Protect and restore coastal watershed including but not limited to, bays, marine estuaries, and nearshore ecosystems. 10. Reduce pollution or contamination of rivers, lakes, streams, or coastal waters, prevent and remediate mercury contamination from legacy mines, and protect or restore natural system functions that contribute to water supply, water quality, or flood management. 11. Assist in the recovery of endangered, threatened, or migratory species by improving watershed health, instream flows, fish passage, coastal or inland wetland restoration, or other means, such as natural community conservation plan and habitat conservation plan implementation. 12. Protect and enhance an urban creek as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 7048 and its tributaries pursuant to Division 22.8 (commencing with Section 32600) of, and Division 23 (commencing with Section 33000) of, the Public Resources Code and Section 79508. 13. Assist in water-related agricultural sustainability projects that promote water conservation. Applications: Applications will be submitted in two phases: a Concept Proposal and a Full Application. Applicants will first submit a Concept Proposal that will be reviewed by RMC staff for consistency with RMC goals, any specific program priorities, and the strength of the proposed project. In addition, RMC staff will look at all Concept Proposals for location, need, project type, readiness, threats, cost, and cost share. RMC staff will offer applicants feedback regarding alignment with priorities, overall merit, and any ineligible costs. RMC staff will select Concept Proposals to move forward and will invite selected applicants to submit Full Applications.   

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy

Proposition 1 allocation to the RMC is pursuant to Chapter 6 Protecting Rivers, Lakes, Streams, Coastal Waters and Watersheds and sets forth thirteen specific purposes and all grant funds must achieve at least four or more of the following objectives in order to receive funds: 1. Protect and increase the economic benefits arising from healthy watersheds, fishery resources and instream flow. 2. Implement watershed adaptation projects in order to reduce the impacts of climate change on communities and ecosystems. 3. Restore river parkways throughout the state, including but not limited to projects pursuant to the California River Parkways Act of 2004, in the Urban Streams Restoration Program established pursuant to Section 7048 and urban river greenways. 4. Protect and restore aquatic, wetland and migratory bird ecosystems including fish and wildlife corridors and the acquisition of water rights for instream flow. 5. Fulfill the obligations of the State of California in complying with the terms of multiparty settlement agreements related to water resources. 6. Remove barriers to fish passage. 7. Implement fuel treatment projects to reduce wildfire risks, protect watersheds tributary to water storage facilities and promote watershed health. 8. Protect and restore rural and urban watershed health to improve watershed storage capacity, forest health, protection of life and property, stormwater resource management, and greenhouse gas reduction. 9. Protect and restore coastal watershed including but not limited to, bays, marine estuaries, and nearshore ecosystems. 10. Reduce pollution or contamination of rivers, lakes, streams, or coastal waters, prevent and remediate mercury contamination from legacy mines, and protect or restore natural system functions that contribute to water supply, water quality, or flood management. 11. Assist in the recovery of endangered, threatened, or migratory species by improving watershed health, instream flows, fish passage, coastal or inland wetland restoration, or other means, such as natural community conservation plan and habitat conservation plan implementation. 12. Protect and enhance an urban creek as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 7048 and its tributaries pursuant to Division 22.8 (commencing with Section 32600) of, and Division 23 (commencing with Section 33000) of, the Public Resources Code and Section 79508. 13. Assist in water-related agricultural sustainability projects that promote water conservation. Applications: Applications will be submitted in two phases: a Concept Proposal and a Full Application. Applicants will first submit a Concept Proposal that will be reviewed by RMC staff for consistency with RMC goals, any specific program priorities, and the strength of the proposed project. In addition, RMC staff will look at all Concept Proposals for location, need, project type, readiness, threats, cost, and cost share. RMC staff will offer applicants feedback regarding alignment with priorities, overall merit, and any ineligible costs. RMC staff will select Concept Proposals to move forward and will invite selected applicants to submit Full Applications.   

Department of Fish and Wildlife

The Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 (Proposition 1) provides funding to implement the three broad objectives of the California Water Action Plan: more reliable water supplies, the restoration of important species and habitat, and a more resilient, sustainably managed water resources system (e.g., water supply, water quality, flood protection, environment) that can better withstand inevitable and unforeseen pressures in the coming decades. The Watershed Restoration Grant Program funds water quality, river, and watershed protection and restoration projects of statewide importance outside of the Delta.

Department of Fish and Wildlife

The California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 (Proposition 68) provides funding to award grants to projects that improve a community’s ability to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change; improve and protect coastal and rural economies, agricultural viability, wildlife corridors, or habitat; develop future recreational opportunities; or enhance drought tolerance, landscape resilience, and water retention. Project priorities include, but are not limited to, reconnection of rivers with their floodplains, riparian and side-channel habitat restoration, and restoration and protection of upper watershed forests and meadow systems that are important for fish and wildlife resources. Proposition 68 requires that at least 15 percent of the funds available pursuant Chapter 10 shall be allocated for projects serving severely disadvantaged communities. A severely disadvantaged community is defined as a community with a median household income less than 60 percent of the statewide average (PRC § 80002[n]).

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy

RMC Proposition 68 Project Goals and Objectives: Create, expand, and/or improve public open space throughout the region by improving water quality supply, create, enhance or improve a reliable water supply and/or restore an important species and habitat Improve access to open space and low impact recreation for all communities and promote healthy lifestyles Improve habitat quality, quantity, and connectivity through creation, enhancement, preservation, and restoration Connect open space with a network of trails, accessible as appropriate to the site Promote stewardship of the landscape via stakeholder involvement and long-term maintenance(long-term means for a period not less than 20 years) Encourage sustainable growth that balances environmental, social, and economic benefits Maintain and improve flood protection through natural and non-structural systems and ecosystem restoration Establish riverfront greenways to cleanse water, hold floodwaters and extend open space Optimize water resources by improving the quality of surface and ground water and enhance groundwater recharge, to reduce dependence on imported water Coordinate watershed planning across jurisdictions and boundaries Encourage multi-jurisdictional and multi-beneficial planning and implementation projects Involve the public through education and outreach programs Projects will utilize the best available science to inform decisions regarding, state and local water resources. In addition, special consideration will be given to projects that employ new or innovative technology or practices, including decision support tools that support the integration of multiple jurisdictions, including, but not limited to, water supply, flood control, land use, and sanitation. Applications: Applications will be submitted in two phases: a Concept Proposal and a Full Application. Applicants will first submit a Concept Proposal that will be reviewed by RMC staff for consistency with RMC goals, any specific program priorities, and the strength of the proposed project. In addition, RMC staff will look at all Concept Proposals for location, need, project type, readiness, threats, cost, and cost share. RMC staff will offer applicants feedback regarding alignment with priorities, overall merit, and any ineligible costs. RMC staff will select Concept Proposals to move forward and will invite selected applicants to submit Full Applications. Applicants will be provided the Full Application upon RMC invitation. RMC staff are available to work with Applicants during the preparation of the Full Application, as needed. RMC may request Applicants to revise and resubmit Full Applications, as necessary. It is strongly recommended that prospective applicants contact RMC staff for a consultation prior to submitting a Concept Proposal.

Department of Fish and Wildlife

The California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 (Proposition 68) provides funding to award grants to projects that improve a community’s ability to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change; improve and protect coastal and rural economies, agricultural viability, wildlife corridors, or habitat; develop future recreational opportunities; or enhance drought tolerance, landscape resilience, and water retention. Project priorities include, but are not limited to, reconnection of rivers with their floodplains, riparian and side-channel habitat restoration, and restoration and protection of upper watershed forests and meadow systems that are important for fish and wildlife resources.

Department of Fish and Wildlife

The California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 (Proposition 68) provides funding to award grants to projects that improve a community’s ability to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change; improve and protect coastal and rural economies, agricultural viability, wildlife corridors, or habitat; develop future recreational opportunities; or enhance drought tolerance, landscape resilience, and water retention. Project priorities include, but are not limited to, reconnection of rivers with their floodplains, riparian and side-channel habitat restoration, and restoration and protection of upper watershed forests and meadow systems that are important for fish and wildlife resources.

Health and Human Services Department

The Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, is contemplating the grant of an Exclusive Patent License to practice the inventions embodied in the patent applications listed in the Supplementary Information section of this notice to Bionic Power Inc., a company organized in British Columbia, Canada.

NIDA - National Institute on Drug Abuse

People involved in the criminal legal system (CLS) experience disproportionately high risk for exposure to HIV, yet access to PrEP for HIV prevention remains severely limited, particularly in jail settings. Standard approaches, such as education and passive referrals, have proven ineffective in engaging recently released individuals in PrEP care, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to promote continuity of care. To close this gap, we propose testing the Comprehensive Tele-Health concieRge (C-THR) model, a telehealth-based, peer-driven intervention proposed to improve PrEP initiation and retention among people with histories of drug use exiting county jails. C-THR applies patient-centered care at multiple levels: (1) System-level; (2) Interpersonal-level; and (3) Individual-level. C-THR has already demonstrated high acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy in improving HIV viral suppression and retention on buprenorphine among individuals with opioid use disorder. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) will assess the efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and implementation feasibility of C-THR to inform scalable, evidence-based approaches for increasing PrEP access for people in jail. The specific aims are: Aim 1: Evaluate the efficacy of C-THR compared to standard of care (patient navigation) in improving PrEP adherence and persistence (primary outcome; tenofovir detection in urine samples) and drug treatment engagement (secondary outcome; participation in medications for opioid use disorder, other pharmacotherapies, cognitive behavioral therapy, or group counseling). Aim 2: Conduct an economic evaluation of C-THR, assessing both budgetary impact and cost-effectiveness to inform future local and national implementation efforts. Aim 3: Identify key facilitators to C-THR implementation and evaluate how these factors influence fidelity, reach, and overall effectiveness, ensuring that findings can be translated into sustainable policy and practice. This study will provide critical insights into the scalability and effectiveness of telehealth models in increasing PrEP uptake and improving continuity of care for CLS-involved populations.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The Puget Sound Coastal Program is part of the USFWS’s National Coastal Program and was established to protect, restore, and enhance the natural resources of Washington’s coastal ecosystems.  The Coastal program works closely with partners to conserve fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats in Puget Sound, an “estuary of national significance.”

Department of Housing and Urban Development

PURPOSE: THE PURPOSE OF THIS AWARD IS TO BUILD THE CAPACITY OF HUD'S SPECIAL NEEDS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS CUSTOMER ORGANIZATIONS TO DEPLOY THE YOUTH HOMELESSNESS DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM (YHDP) EFFECTIVELY AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ASSOCIATED RULES AND REGULATIONS.; ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: HUD WILL IDENTIFY SPECIFIC TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED THROUGH A DEMAND-RESPONSE PROGRAM MODEL. THE RECIPIENT MAY RESPOND TO THOSE NEEDS THROUGH A RANGE OF ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES: NEEDS ASSESSMENTS; DIRECT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING; DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF TOOLS AND PRODUCTS; SELF-DIRECTED AND GROUP LEARNING; KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT; DATA ANALYSIS, REPORTING, AND PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT; ADMINISTRATION; AND COORDINATION.; EXPECTED OUTCOMES: OUTCOMES ARE THE RESULTS OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CHANGES IN MANAGEMENT OR OPERATION OF HUD-FUNDED PROGRAMS OR INITIATIVES. SPECIFIC OUTCOMES WILL VARY BASED ON THE NATURE OF THE ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT. STANDARD OUTCOME CATEGORIES INCLUDE IMPROVED CAPACITY TO DESIGN PROGRAMS, POLICIES, AND STRATEGIES AS WELL AS TO DELIVER PROJECTS, PROGRAMS, OR SYSTEMS THAT ADDRESS COMMUNITY NEEDS AS DEFINED IN THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) SCOPE.; INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE YOUTH HOMELESSNESS DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM GRANTEES. SELECTED AWARD RECIPIENTS WILL BE DEPLOYED AS HUD DEEMS MOST NECESSARY ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO ASSIST ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING HUD FUNDS TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF HUD FUNDS.; SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THE SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES ARE UNKNOWN AT THE TIME OF AWARD.

NIDDK - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

PROJECT SUMMARY Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a heterogeneous disease with varied clinical characteristics, treatment responses, and complication risks. However, gaps persist in understanding the biological drivers and clinical implications of T2D heterogeneity, limiting the potential to develop personalized and effective approaches to prevention and treatment. Notably, most existing phenotypic classification schemes are based on variables rarely collected in usual care and have derived T2D phenotypes using variables collected only at diabetes onset, greatly limiting practical application. Furthermore, the utilization of genomic data, such as polygenic risk scores (PRS) for T2D phenotypes and complications, offers a unique opportunity to understand the biological mechanisms driving heterogeneous clinical presentations and outcomes of T2D. However, despite the potential of PRS, significant gaps remain. Most studies examining the link between PRS and T2D complications have been studied in European populations, limiting the generalizability of findings to the broader population. Additionally, many existing studies have focused on single time-point measurements, failing to capture the dynamic nature of T2D phenotypes and their progression over time. To overcome these gaps, we will leverage the extensive and nationally representative Kaiser Permanente Research Bank (KPRB) cohort to address T2D heterogeneity in phenotypic presentation and risk of complications through a comprehensive and innovative approach. We aim to identify novel T2D phenotypes using widely available clinical variables from 110,434 individuals across eight U.S. states. By employing advanced data-driven clustering techniques and longitudinal assessment over a mean follow-up of 13 years, we will explore the dynamics of T2D phenotypes over time and with aging, as well as their association with T2D complications. Our study will also integrate polygenic risk scores (PRS) to enhance the precision of phenotype classification and complication prediction, offering insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying T2D heterogeneity. Our aims are to (Aim 1) identify T2D phenotypes and investigate the dynamics of phenotypic allocation with aging amongst members (n=110,434 T2D) of a large nationally representative healthcare delivery system using widely available clinical variables; (Aim 2) examine associations between T2D phenotypes and T2D complications; and (Aim 3) investigate molecular pathways associated with T2D phenotypes and complications. This project will accelerate the progress of translational precision medicine, improve understanding of the pathophysiology of T2D phenotypes, and investigate molecular pathways associated with T2D phenotypes and complications across race, ethnicity, sex, and age groups. This work can inform the development of practical and targeted therapies for improved T2D management and care.

Waterford

Quaker Hill Fire Department Alarm System Upgrade

NIA - National Institute on Aging

The population of older adults (OA) is rapidly rising and anticipated to exceed 2 billion by 2050 causing an exponential rise in age-related comorbidities and healthcare costs. Age-related defects include mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress (OxS), insulin resistance (IR), genomic damage and endothelial dysfunction and result in declining physical function (gait speed and muscle strength), elevated blood pressure (BP) and higher waist circumferences. Via studies in OA and old mice (OM), we identified that deficiency of the body’s most abundant antioxidant Glutathione (GSH) plays a key contributory role for these defects in aging. GSH is an intracellular tripeptide composed of glycine, cysteine and glutamic acid, and declines with age. We found that GSH deficiency in OA occurs due to diminished synthesis caused by deficiency of glycine and cysteine (and not glutamic acid), and that GSH deficiency can be corrected by supplementing GlyNAC (combination of oral glycine, and N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) as a cysteine donor because oral cysteine is absorbed poorly). In OM and OA, we discovered that GSH adequacy is critically necessary for efficient mitochondrial fuel (fatty-acid) oxidation (MFO) and for lowering OxS. In a small NIH-funded double-blinded, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept pilot randomized clinical trial (RCT) in 24 highly selected, healthy OA and 12 young adults (YA) we reported that OA had (a) GSH deficiency in muscle and red blood cells; (b) impaired mitochondrial function; (c) deficient nutrient sensing; (d) increased inflammation; (e) elevated IR; (f) endothelial dysfunction; (g) genomic damage; (h) stem cell fatigue; and (i) cellular senescence. These abnormalities were associated with: (i) physical decline in gait speed, strength and exercise capacity; (ii) increased waist circumference; and (iii) higher blood pressure. GlyNAC (and not placebo) supplementation: (a) normalized RBC GSH concentrations, mitochondrial fuel oxidation, molecular regulators of energy metabolism, nutrient sensors, genomic damage, stem cells and cellular senescence; (b) lowered OxS, proinflammatory cytokines (IL6, TNFa, hsCRP); IR; endothelial dysfunction; (c) improved gait speed, strength, exercise capacity, body composition and systolic BP. GlyNAC supplementation in young humans had no impact. These data provide proof-of-concept that supplementing GlyNAC in OA corrects GSH deficiency and improves 7 aging hallmarks, and was not associated with any adverse effects. Could GlyNAC supplementation introduce a transformational change to improve the health of aging humans by promoting healthy aging? Although our completed RCT provides proof-of-concept for this, the sample size was small. Critically, the RCT was conducted in a rigorously screened cohort of healthy OA, using a high dose of GlyNAC. Therefore, it is important to definitively establish the validity and effectiveness of GlyNAC supplementation in a larger RCT conducted in a more typical population of OA, and also determine whether a lower GlyNAC dose, with lesser pill burden, could be effective. We propose a less invasive, less restrictive RCT in 150 more typical OA to determine the effects of supplementing GlyNAC on intracellular GSH, OxS, mitochondrial function, inflammation, IR, endothelial function, genomic damage, physical function, body composition and QoL. The proposed RCT will also test and compare two doses of GlyNAC to determine whether a lower dose of GlyNAC can be as effective as a higher dose on measured outcomes after 24-weeks.

Reckoning Trades Project

The Reckoning Trades Project will organize women and LGBTQ trades workers by building support systems, hosting educational forums, and organizing social events. The project will include networking and community building by connecting women and LGBTQ trades workers to resources, support, development opportunities, and one another. The group will host 7 community socials, 2 educational community forums, 8 public meetings, and a retreat.

Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery

Eligible Applicants Private, nonprofit entities, in addition to being registered and in good standing with the California Secretary of State, must also be registered and in good standing with the California Department of Justice, and appear on their Registry of Charities and Fundraisers.  If a nonprofit entity is excluded from registering with the Department of Justice, proof must be provided with the application. Eligible applicants include:  Dealer Cooperatives  A dealer cooperative is a stewardship organization that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and formed for the purpose of providing redemption opportunities pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 14578 and consists of member dealers and has an approved dealer cooperative stewardship plan.  A dealer cooperative is voluntary for a dealer to join pursuant to Section 14578. Individual Application An Individual Application is one in which a single eligible entity will be responsible for grant implementation.  The applicant in an Individual Application will be responsible for the performance of the grant and all related documentation.  In addition, the applicant will be the only entity receiving any real or personal property that is purchased with grant funds. Eligible Projects/Products All projects must be located within an unserved zone identified within the CalRecycle approved dealer cooperative stewardship plan. Eligible projects include: · Mobile Programs. Consist of either: redemption in-person through staffed systems that are moved between different redemption locations pickup-service redemption at the consumer's addresses within unserved zones. · Bag Drop Programs.  Consist of consumers depositing empty beverage containers in a sealable bag, box, or other container into a designated Bag Drop receptacle for later collection and redemption. · Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs).  Consist of deployment of automated machines that accept empty beverage containers and provide payment to customers at time of deposit.

Labor

The Unemployment Insurance (UI) program is a required partner in the broader public workforce system and provides unemployment benefits to individuals who have lost their employment through no fault of their own and who otherwise meet initial and continuing UI eligibility requirements. Beginning in 2005, the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration funded the voluntary UI Reemployment and Eligibility Assessment (REA) program to address individual reemployment needs of UI claimants, as well as prevent and detect improper benefit payments. In 2015, the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program replaced the REA program providing greater access to reemployment services in addition to services previously provided under the REA program. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2018, amendments to the Social Security Act permanently authorized the RESEA program and implemented several significant changes including formula-based funding and a series of requirements intended to increase the use and availability of evidence-based reemployment interventions and strategies. The permanent RESEA program has four purposes: (1) reduce UI duration through improved employment outcomes; (2) strengthened UI program integrity, (3) promote alignment with the vision of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and (4) establish RESEA as an entry point to other workforce system partners.

Wildlife Conservation Board

An Regional Conservation Investment Strategy (RCIS) is a voluntary, non-regulatory document that provides guidance on actions that, if implemented, would result in effective regional conservation. And public agency may propose an RCIS that is developed in consultation with local agencies that have land use authority within the RCIS area. The RCIS Grant Program (Program) supports the following priorities: • Geographic areas lacking an NCCP or regional HCP (i.e., HCP’s that focus on regional conservation with large and interconnected reserve systems) • Geographic areas with a local (non-regulatory) conservation plan or strategy approved or adopted by a public agency • Proposals with matching funds (including in-kind match) • Proposals that demonstrate readiness and qualifications

Labor

Apprenticeship is a valuable training system that provides New York State businesses with a well-trained, highly skilled workforce through a combination of structured on-the-job training and related and supplemental instruction. Apprentices learn a trade while earning wages, and upon successful program completion, receive a nationally and industry-recognized portable work credential. Sponsors operate apprenticeship programs in both the private and public sectors, and include single businesses, single businesses and a union, groups of businesses such as associations, and group labor/management organizations representing both businesses and a union or unions. Program sponsors pay most of the training costs while simultaneously increasing the wages of the apprentices as their skill levels increase. Apprenticeship is beneficial to businesses because it leads to reduced turnover rates, better employee relations, and a well-trained/highly skilled workforce. As a result of the emphasis on safety training, businesses also benefit from reduced workers? compensation costs. The New York State Registered Apprenticeship (RA) program employs work-based training conducted in accordance with industry-based training outlines, and each apprentice is required to complete a minimum of 144 hours of related and supplemental instruction during each year of training. Increasingly, apprentices can receive college credit for the work experience and instruction they receive. Most programs use a time-based training approach where apprentices track the skills acquired through task rotation and complete the program after a pre-determined length of time. New York State?s Apprenticeship regulations also permit the use of hybrid and competency-based approaches to training. These methods, which verify competency, allow program sponsors flexibility in how on-the-job training is provided and are leading to expansion of the RA program into new and emerging trades and industries such as Advanced Manufacturing, Information Technology, Hospitality, and Healthcare. The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) continues to receive new trade proposals in competency and hybrid approaches and has recently approved a competency-based Pharmacy Associate training outline.