General Grant Criteria

Interested grant applicants should always review a Request for Application for grant specific criteria. Below are general criteria used to help interested organizations/entities with the foundations to an Oregon Youth Corps program:

Criteria for Applicant Eligibility:
  1. Should be physically located in the county, sovereign nation, district, or region for which the grant funds focus.
    1. Priority may be placed on program applicants who are physically located within the county or sovereign nation in which grant funds are awarded.
  2. Shall have developed safety, work site, orientation, education, and emergency plans in compliance with state and federal law. These plans must be in place prior to operating.
  3. Shall follow all local, state, and federal guidelines and requirements protecting against the spread of COVID-19 while conducting any activities that require in-person contact.
  4. Shall follow all applicable labor laws, including but not limited to, federal and state tax laws and rules, and criteria identified in the RFA.
  5. Shall deliver and/or provide access for program staff and youth participants to receive culturally responsive support services and training.
  6. Offer English language learner and accessibility services that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
  7. Should partner with a local school district to provide credit to the youth who are working towards their high school diploma.
  8. Should include educational and enrichment activities, defined as supplemental discovery and exposure to new knowledge and ideas. These activities must be intentional and go beyond the normal skill-building opportunities that are gained in day-to-day work activities.
  9. If awarded, applicant shall be required to provide a final report(s) to HECC. Details for reporting shall be described in the Grant Agreement.

Youth Participant Recruitment:
  1. Should focus recruitment with local youth from the county, sovereign nation, district, or region for which the grant funds focus.
    1. Priority may be placed on program applicants who provide program funded access to youth physically located within the county or sovereign nation in which grant funds are awarded.
  2. Shall provide access to youth participants who are residents of State of Oregon, between 13 years of age and 26 years of age, unless specified in grant specific criteria.
    1. No program participant may be under 14 years of age unless a grantee organization and prospective participant has received a permit under the provisions of OAR 839-021-0246 and adhere to any applicable state or federal law or regulation regarding the employment of minors under 14.
  3. Should aim to reflect the local community and include a gender, ethnic, cultural, and social mix.
  4. Shall ensure that 75% of youth participants meet HECC’s definition of disadvantaged and at-risk. 
    1. HECC defines youth who are disadvantaged and at-risk as “those who may be unable to achieve the educational, economic, or social expectations of their community.”

Criteria for Work-Based Learning Projects: Shall align projects that protect, conserve, rehabilitate and improve the natural, historical, and cultural resources of Oregon, and:
  1. Should be physically located in the county, sovereign nation, district, or region for which the grant funds focus.
    1. Priority may be placed on program applicants who perform work projects physically located within the county or sovereign nation in which grant funds are awarded.
    2. Shall only be allowed within Oregon or within federally recognized tribal sovereign nation land within Oregon.
  2. Shall focus on natural resource enhancement and/or community stewardship.
    1. Should have a meaningful impact on the community.
    2. Projects work should not be on private land, but is allowed under certain circumstances and must be pre-approved in advance by HECC. Projects completed on private land shall meet all three of the following guidelines:
      1. Corpsmembers’ work skills and education objectives are increased;
      2. Public benefit is clearly defined; and
      3. Public benefit is greater than the benefits to the private landowner.
  3. Shall be devoted to the enhancement of the community and are not based in maintenance activities and that these projects meet an identified need.
  4. Shall not displace existing employees or duplicate existing private or government programs.