Recognition of Excellence

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where can I find information on ETA’s Recognition of Excellence?
2. Is there a separate application that must be completed?
3. Can I submit a hard copy application?
4. How many applications may an organization submit?
5. If I was honored for Recognition of Excellence last year or the year before, can I apply again this year?
6. Do applications from local areas need to go through the state for submission?
7. What if a state and a local area are both involved in a program, project or initiative in which they would like to submit an application. Can both apply?
8. I am applying for the ETA Recognition of Excellence. Can my partnering agency submit an application for another category?
9. Does the 10 page limit include attachments, such as testimonials and newspaper articles?
10. Which youth programs qualify as Out-of-School Youth for the category Serving Out- of-School Youth?
11. What is a "collaborating partner"? Is every organization I work with (mention in the application) a "collaborating partner" who must be listed in the application?
12. My program has many partners (one program had 20 and another 600). Is there a limit to the number of partners I can submit?
13. If I applied on line last year, am I considered a "new user" this year?
14. Is Job Corps eligible to apply for Recognition of Excellence 2006?
15. Last year we had to complete our on line application within a short time frame, is that the same this year?
16. Must the type on the application be double spaced? If we have bullets, can they be single spaced?
17. Will I need any special computer hardware or software to prepare my application?
18. If my application is selected, am I expected to attend Workforce Innovations?
19. My program has many partners; will we all get a commemorative symbol?
20. What if my application is longer than 10 pages?

Question 1:  Where can I find information on ETA’s Recognition of Excellence?

Answer:  To learn more about ETA’s Recognition of Excellence (ROE) and application process, you should read Training and Employment Notice (TEN 22-06). The TEN and other information about the Recognition of Excellence can be accessed on the Internet at: http://roe.doleta.gov.

Question 2:  Is there a separate application that must be completed?

Answer:  The online application that must be completed is available at: http://roe.doleta.gov. The application must be prepared by following the instructions on that page. Before beginning your application, carefully review TEN 22-06 and the ROE application Process and Application Instructions documents.

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Question 3:  Can I submit a hard copy application?

Answer:  No. Only electronic applications submitted through the designated website will be accepted. However, you will be required to fax a hard copy of the signed electronic application’s signature page to the ETA National Office at: (202) 693-3667.

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Question 4:  How many applications may an organization submit?

Answer:  An organization, state agency or a local area may submit more than one application. However:

1. An application for any one program, project or initiative may be submitted only once. Therefore the applicant must choose one category for the program, project or initiative.

2. An organization, state agency or local area may submit applications for more than one program, project or initiative. For example, an organization may submit one or more applications in each of the 5 categories for different programs, projects or initiatives. For example, a state program (such as a youth program) may forward an application in the youth category. A separate state program (such as a dislocated worker program) may also apply in another category.

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Question 5:  If I was honored for Recognition of Excellence last year or the year before, can I apply again this year?

Answer:  Yes, an applicant may submit applications year after year. However, you may not submit an application for the same program, project or initiative if it was the first place winner in a previous year. You may resubmit an application for the same program, project or initiative if it was recognized in the Honorable Mention category or if it was not selected for recognition.

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Question 6:  Do applications from local areas need to go through the state for submission?

Answer:  No. Local applications do not have to go through the state in order to be submitted. A state may work with a local program, project or initiative to assist or encourage that local area to apply and local areas may wish to inform their state agency if they are applying. However local areas should submit their own applications on behalf of their programs, projects or initiatives.

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Question 7:  What if a state and a local area are both involved in a program, project or initiative in which they would like to submit an application. Can both apply?

Answer:  No. The intention of the eligibility definition is that we receive only one application on behalf of any program, project or initiative. We expect to receive only one application on behalf of the partners, and not separate applications for the same program, project or initiative from the state and local areas. One suggested approach is to work together and submit a joint application.

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Question 8:  I am applying for the ETA Recognition of Excellence. Can my partnering agency submit an application for another category?

Answer:  Yes. A partner can submit an application for another program, project or initiative, given it meets the appropriate eligibility criteria. However, the partner cannot submit an application for the same program, project or initiative.

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Question 9:  Does the 10 page limit include attachments, such as testimonials and newspaper articles?

Answer:  Attachments will not be accepted with the electronic submission process. Therefore, be sure that the application narrative itself addresses all of the elements required in the TEN and eligibility criteria. Scanned testimonials and newspaper articles may be included in the narrative portion of the application. However, the text box will not accept graphics, tables and most symbols, such as stars, bullets and arrows.

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Question 10:  Which youth programs qualify as Out-of-School Youth for the category Serving Out- of-School Youth?

Answer:  The Serving Out-of-School Youth category is intended for programs, projects or initiatives that:

1. Serve Out-of-School Youth as defined by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA); and

2. Serve youth who do not possess a high school diploma or GED and are not in a traditional public or private school.

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Question 11:  What is a "collaborating partner"? Is every organization I work with (mention in the application) a "collaborating partner" who must be listed in the application?

Answer:  Collaborating Partners are defined as organizations, such as community colleges, businesses, community and faith-based organizations, or individuals that provide leadership, funding or significant support to the successful implementation or operation of the program, project or initiative. Inclusion of the collaborating partner’s name indicates that the collaborating partner is willing to provide assurances that the information in the application is true and can be verified without notice. Signatures of collaborating partners will be requested for applications that are vetted to be honored as winners or honorable mentions prior to receiving the winner or honorable mention designation.

No, not every organization or individual mentioned in the application need be considered a "collaborating partner." However, every application is expected to have at least one "collaborating partner." Collaboration is highly valued and only organizations or individuals that meet the definition above should be identified in the application as "collaborating partners."

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Question 12:  My program has many partners (one program had 20 and another 150). Is there a limit to the number of partners I can submit?

Answer:  One of the purposes of requesting the names of "collaborating partner" organizations and individuals involved in the program, project or initiative is to ensure that true collaboration is taking place. "Collaborating partners" listed in your application should be limited to those that meet the definition provided in the ROE Application Process. A limit of 25 "collaborating partners" has been set for each program, project or initiative application.

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Question 13:  If I applied on line last year, am I considered a "new user" this year?

Answer:  Yes. This year, all persons who wish to access the ROE application must register and select a password. You will not be allowed access to the application without a password. This enhancement allows you to save and return to your application at a later time.

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Question 14:  Is Job Corps eligible to apply for Recognition of Excellence 2007?

Answer:  Yes. Job Corps is eligible for Recognition of Excellence 2007. See the Recognition of Excellence 2007 Eligibility Criteria and Guidelines, Serving Out-of-School Youth, on this website: http://roe.doleta.gov/.

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Question 15:  Last year we had to complete our on line application within a short time frame, is that the same this year?

Answer:  No. Enhancements have been made to the electronic application process that allow you to enter and "save" parts of the application. Once you have registered and received a "password," you may access your application when you are ready. Just remember to click the "Save and continue" button at the bottom of the page as you enter information.

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Question 16:  Must the type on the application be double spaced? If we have bullets, can they be single spaced?

Answer:  It does not matter what type face, font size or line spacing you use in your document. We recommend the use of 12 point fonts and double spacing. Nevertheless, your bullets may be single-spaced. We also recommend that you use a numbered list rather than bullets for formatting reasons, but, nevertheless, your list(s) may be single-spaced.

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Question 17:  Will I need any special computer hardware or software to prepare my application?

Answer:  No. You should be able to access and complete the online application from any computer with internet and word processing capabilities.

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Question 18:  If my application is selected, am I expected to attend Workforce Innovations?

Answer:  It is our hope that you will plan to attend Workforce Innovations. Winners of the Recognition of Excellence will be announced and recognized at Workforce Innovations and will be provided free registrations. (The Winner will receive 3 free registrations and honorable mentions will receive 1 free registration to Workforce Innovations 2007.) This conference is the premier ETA conference packed with informational and networking opportunities for anyone in the workforce investment business. For more information about Workforce Innovations, go to: www.workforceinnovations.org .

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Question 19:  My program has many partners; will we all get a commemorative symbol?

Answer:  No. Only one commemorative symbol will be provided for the winning program, project or initiative. The recognition is for the successful program, project or initiative, not the partners. However, each partner will receive an attractive certificate recognizing their contribution to the program, project or initiative.

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Question 20:  What if my application is longer than 10 pages?

Answer:   The electronic format has been sized to accommodate up to 5000 words or 30,000 characters, which is approximately ten-500 word double-spaced pages. Therefore, the application format will not accept more than 5000 words. This year a “word count” feature has been added which will allow you to keep up with how many words you have used and how many you have remaining in the application.

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