Performance Partnership Pilots (P3) for Disconnected Youth: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This document is a supplement to the April 28, 2014 Performance Partnership Pilots Consultation Paper to share with the field changes and clarifications to Federal agencies’ initial design for P3 implementation. These pilots were authorized in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (the Act) to test innovative, cost-effective, and outcome-focused strategies for improving results for disconnected youth. These FAQs represent Federal agencies’ current planning and are subject to further decisions that will be reflected in later updates, as well as in the solicitation notice and application package.

1. Q. Do agencies have a revised timeline to release the P3 solicitation, which the Consultation Paper suggested would be available in the spring?

   A.  UPDATED 11/24/2014  To learn more about the solicitation, visit: http://youth.gov/youth-topics/reconnecting-youth/performance-partnership-pilots/notice-inviting-applications. To view the notice inviting applications, visit https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/11/24/2014-27775/applications-for-new-awards-performance-partnership-pilots. To view the application package on grants.gov, visit: http://www.grants.gov/view-opportunity.html?oppId=269790.

2. Q. Do agencies still envision the two-step application process laid out in the P3 consultation paper?

   A. Agencies are not going to use the two-step process initially envisioned (which would first have sought brief preliminary applications and then invited full proposals from the strongest candidates). Instead, the solicitation will request applicants to submit only one full proposal. We believe this change will give applicants more time to prepare robust proposals.

3. Q. May Territories (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands) apply for P3 along with States, Tribes, and localities?

   A. Yes, if the applicant, whether directly or through one of its agencies or entities: 1) is wholly or partly administering a Federal program; 2) is classified as a State or local government for purposes of such Federal program; and 3) proposes to include that Federal program in the pilot.

4. Q. What role can non-profits play in applying for or implementing a P3 pilot?

   A. A non-profit organization may not serve as the pilot applicant or the fiscal agent for pilot implementation, but it still may play a significant role in the design and governance of a performance partnership pilot. For example, a non-profit may:

   • Facilitate the development of the pilot and prepare the application;
   • Oversee implementation of the pilot, including providing progress updates and recommended course corrections to activities administered by government partners;
   • Represent the State, local or Tribal partnership in meetings, communications, and negotiations with the Federal government on matters where all the partners, including the Federal government, agree this is an appropriate role for the non-profit; and
   • Secure commitments from philanthropy, other non-profit organizations, academic and research organizations, employers, or other private sector organizations.

   When a performance partnership proposal envisions a role for non-profits in the pilot, the applicant should clearly explain the proposed responsibilities of the non-profit organizations, their role(s) in the governance structure, and their prior experience in successful collaboration with the participating State, local, and/or Tribal governments. Non-profits may be signatories to a performance agreement along with—but not instead of—participating State, local, and/or Tribal government representatives. In these cases, the State, local, and/or Tribal governments will continue to be the parties primarily responsible for meeting the terms of the partnership agreement. More information about the circumstances under which participating non-profits may be signatories will be made available in the solicitation and during the application review process and may depend in part on the specifics of individual pilot proposals.

5. Q. Will agencies be sharing letters of interest submitted for P3? And will pilot applications be made publicly available?

   A. Once the solicitation is released, we expect that agencies will make available a summary of ideas and feedback received in letters of interest. The summary will be posted to the P3 page on youth.gov. After pilots are awarded, we expect that, at a minimum, the applications selected as pilots will be posted to this site with personal or otherwise sensitive information redacted. In order to facilitate posting, applicants may be asked to identify in their submissions sensitive information that may be inappropriate for public disclosure.

6. Q. My partnership is seeking good models or best practices for data sharing, linking, and analysis as a way to manage performance or determine outcomes. Where should we look?

   A. The Federal government does not endorse any specific model or organization. Several groups have considerable experience working on data and evaluation issues that may offer helpful insight. We have listed some of these groups below for the convenience of applicants, and some of these groups may have potential examples of models and best practices. Descriptions of these organizations are taken from their web sites.

   Federal agencies involved in P3 do not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. The opinions expressed in these materials do not necessarily reflect the positions or policies of the Federal agencies, and the inclusion of these resources should not be construed or interpreted as an endorsement.

   • Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy (AISP) is an initiative funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The principal aim of AISP is to improve the quality of education, health and human service agencies’ policies and practices through the use of integrated data systems.
   • The Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization that seeks to increase government effectiveness through the use of rigorous evidence about what works.
   • The Data Quality Campaign (DQC) supports State policymakers and other key leaders to promote the effective use of data to improve student achievement.
   • Workforce Data Quality Campaign (WDQC) is a non-profit, non-partisan initiative that advocates for inclusive, aligned and market-relevant data systems used for advancing the nation's skilled workforce and helping U.S. industries compete in a changing economy.
   • The National Governors Association’s (NGA) Center for Best Practices develops solutions to pressing public policy challenges, including informing policy and practice through the use of data. NGA is the bipartisan organization of the nation’s governors.
   • The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program, among other activities, conducts research on promising strategies and develops tools and infrastructure to support more efficient and effective programming, including through data analysis.
   • The National League of Cities’ Institute for Youth, Education, and Families, among other activities, provides guidance and assistance to municipal officials compiles and disseminates information on promising strategies and best practices, including around managing data.

   In addition, Federal agencies offer resources that are often targeted to specific programs but may also have broader applications to managing data. The following Federal technical assistance sites may prove useful to those seeking relevant examples or best practices.

   • Department of Education: Privacy Technical Assistance Center, Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems Grant Program
   • Department of Labor: Workforce Data Quality Initiative Technical Assistance, Workforce System Strategies
7. Q. How does P3 relate to a Pay for Success (PFS) model?

   A.  UPDATED 9/4/2014  Pay for Success is an innovative financing model that leverages philanthropic and private dollars to fund services up front, with the Government paying after they generate results. Both P3 and PFS are funding models that focus jurisdictions on defining specific outcome goals for a well-defined target population, using reliable data to measure progress, and generating evidence about cost-effective interventions. In addition, both strategies confront the problem of Federal barriers and misalignment across programs that can stymie State, local, and Tribal governments in pursuing cost-effective interventions.

   In some cases, a jurisdiction might conduct a needs assessment to identify a target population, consider available interventions and funding options, and then determine whether funding could best be supported through P3, PFS, or a combination. More information about how P3 and PFS approaches may be combined will be provided when the P3 solicitation is released.

   More information on the Pay for Success model is available at www.payforsuccess.org.

Download the Performance Partnership Pilots (P3) for Disconnected Youth: Updates to the P3 Consultation Paper and Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 4 pages).