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Dr. Narineh Makijan, Chair/AVP
Nane Zadouri, Interim K14 TAP/Director
& the LA Key Talent Team
Presentation at Glance
Welcome |
LARC & K12 SWP Overview |
RFA Breakdown Essentials + Breakout Session |
Break |
Fiscal Overview & Budget Guidance |
LA Regional Priorities & Labor Market Information |
Higher Education Partners - Breakout Session |
Resources & Important Dates |
Q & A |
Key Talent | K12 Pathway Coordinators
Nicole Stephenson (Interim)
Giovanna Santiago (Interim)
Click here for the K12 SWP landing page
Key Talent’s Role in Supporting the Region
LARC & K12 SWP
Overview
LARC represents 19 community colleges across Los Angeles County and serves as a regional convener, bringing education, workforce, and industry partners together to strengthen student pathways and meet regional workforce needs.
We work across the K–14 education system, alongside four-year universities, workforce partners, high-road employers, and priority industry sectors to:
BRIDGING
THE GAP
Our Mission: To bridge the gap between LA County’s workforce & the employers driving our evolving economy.
LARC & K12 SWP Overview | State and Regional Ecosystem
LARC ECOSYSTEM: A CONNECTED K–14 NETWORK
State leadership, regional partners and pathway roles working as one connected network.
LARC & K12 SWP Overview | LARC Umbrella
WHO IS UNDER THE LARC UMBRELLA?
The consortium’s members—and the regional partners connected through LARC:
LARC & K12 SWP Overview | LARC Umbrella
THE LARC UMBRELLA CONNECTS EDUCATION, CAREERS, & WORKFORCE.
LARC & K12 SWP Overview | K12 Strong Workforce Program
LARC & K12 SWP Overview | K12 Strong Workforce Program
The K12 SWP Metrics that measure K–12 student-level outcomes:
Two Primary Goals of K12 SWP �
post-secondary education to career success.
LARC & K12 SWP Overview | K12 Strong Workforce Program Projects
Click here for Round 8 K12 SWP Projects
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The LARC Regional Plan serves as a shared roadmap for Los Angeles regional stakeholders, community colleges, partners, and the public. It reflects the consortium’s collective vision, priorities, strategies, and goals for 2024–2027.
Grounded in regional data, the plan helps align efforts across the region, guide future initiatives, and support collaboration while remaining flexible as workforce and community needs evolve.
Interested in helping shape LARC’s Regional Plan for 2027–2031? We invite you to join the LARC Regional Plan Committee and help shape our region’s priorities and vision for the next four years.
Interested in participating, please complete this brief interest form [LINK]
Equity in Access, Success, & Support
LARC Strategic Goals: Equity & Alignment
Source: LARC Regional Plan, pp. 38–42
LARC's two strategic goals are interconnected: equitable academic success and equitable workforce and economic development. Equity sits at the intersection, while six operating principles show how LARC advances both goals through collaboration, data, responsiveness, alignment, equity-centered decision-making, and accountability.
Regional Plan Priority Sectors
Sector Importance: High-wage, high-growth potential, economic recovery post-pandemic.
Cross-sector priority influences:
Transforms Existing Occupations
Expands Pathways
Priority Industry Sectors - Healthcare
16%
Projected Sector Growth
107,010
Annual Job Openings
Healthcare Careers Are in High Demand Across Los Angeles County
Regional Plan: Strategic Directions
LARC incorporates applicable state and regional priorities into its work. Across all initiatives, we prioritize equity, inclusion, and support for students of all backgrounds. We also focus on high-growth, emerging, and in-demand industry sectors.
Strategic Directions for 2024–2027:
Round 9 (2026-2027)
Request for Application (RFA)
RFA Section I: General Information
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$150M
Statewide annual K12 SWP funding
$22.75M
Los Angeles Region Round 9 allocation
$250K–$2M
Maximum grant request based on grades 7–12 ADA
ADA RANGE | MAX GRANT AMOUNT |
Up to 140 ADA | Up to $250,000 |
141–550 ADA | Up to $500,000 |
551–10,000 ADA | Up to $1,000,000 |
Over 10,000 ADA | Up to $2,000,000 |
info Maximum request does not guarantee the full award.
Round 9 Funding | RFA pp. 5–6
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1. Regional Decisions
The K12 Selection Committee determines grant recipients and award amounts.
history
2. Past Performance
The Selection Committee may consider the past performance of returning grantees when awarding additional funds.
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3. Recurring Investment
Round 9 should create, improve, augment, or scale prior work, not simply sustain an existing program.
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What will Round 9 add that would not exist without this new investment?
Returning Applicants & Selection Committee | RFA pp. 7–8
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Eligibility Requirements | RFA pp. 8–10
Eligible K-12 SWP applicants must meet the following requirements:
school
Eligible applicants include school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, and eligible ROCPs.
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One LEA must serve as the Lead LEA and fiscal agent; an LEA may participate in no more than three applications.
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Projects may serve students in grades 7–12 only.
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Applicants must partner with at least one community college or community college district and clearly describe the partnership.
explore
Projects must align with the Regional Plan and regional workforce needs.
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Participating LEAs must report required program and equity data through the new DataVista Data Exchange platform.
work
Middle school projects must focus on career exploration and/or introductory courses and align to local high school CTE pathways.
assignment
Adult education programs may participate as funded partners only when serving students age 18 or younger.
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Core / Supplemental Considerations
Additional Positive Considerations
priority_high
Round 9 Emphasis: Positive consideration must be substantiated with narrative, data, and evidence in the application.
Do not just check “Yes.” Show how the project qualifies.
Positive Considerations | RFA pp. 10–11
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Focus on purposeful, mutually beneficial partnerships
REQUIRED
• At least one California community college or community college district partner is required.
PURPOSE
• The partnership should support a clearly defined K14 career pathway.
• The high school pathway should align with the community college partner’s related program(s).
PARTNER CONTRIBUTIONS
ROUND 9 KEY QUESTION
What specific K14 alignment gap will this partnership help solve?
info
K12 Partner Agencies receiving funds or services have reporting responsibilities.
Collaborative Partners may support the project without receiving funds or services.
Partnerships | RFA pp. 11–12
Click here to find your CCD area
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Aug. 18
Application released / NOVA opens
Aug. 26
Bidders Conference
Sept. 2
LARC Regional Engagement Session
Sept. 11
Content questions due by 5PM
Oct. 2 DEADLINE
Application due in NOVA by 5 PM
Nov. 20
Preliminary awards announced
Dec. 4
Appeals due
Dec. 18
Intent to Award released
Jan. 1, 2027
Project term begins
June 30, 2029
Project term ends
priority_high
Important Warning: After September 11, only technical/NOVA questions will be answered.
Round 9 Key Dates | RFA p. 16
RFA Section II
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NOVA Access
Training & Technical Assistance
Lead LEA responsibilities include accepting Statements of Assurance, ensuring required reports are submitted for K–12 Partner Agencies, maintaining an invoice process for partners, and sharing K12 SWP communications.
* See RFA pp. 20–21 for NOVA roles and permissions.
Creating NOVA / Accessing a NOVA Account | RFA p. 20
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Application Scoring
116 Total Point Scale
Funding Threshold
A minimum average score of 75 must be obtained to be considered for funding.
Round 9 Key Changes
Work Plan: Increased from 40 → 45 points
Budget: Increased from 10 → 15 points
Application Scoring | RFA pp. 21–22
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1. Prior Investment�Identify the prior K12 SWP project most similar in scope.
2. Prior Efforts�Briefly describe what the previous K12 SWP investment supported.
3. Round 9 Scale-Up�Explain how the proposed Round 9 project will scale the previously funded project.
Round 9 Recurring Investment Question
What is Round 9 adding that would not exist without this new investment?
How is the proposed Round 9 project scale the previously funded project?
Recurring Investments | RFA p. 23
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1. Regional Workforce Challenge
Use the Regional Plan and Centers of Excellence Labor Market Information
Show demand for skilled workers, wage levels, and projected job growth
2. Applicant LEA Challenges
Identify the key challenges the applicant LEA(s) will address
3. Community College Alignment Gap
Identify the specific need or gap in alignment with community college partner(s)
Consider curriculum alignment, early college credit, outreach and student supports, and transitions to postsecondary education and training
4. Equity Gaps
Use data showing how unduplicated pupils access, participate in, and complete high school CTE coursework
Can you clearly prove the need with data?
Problem Statement | RFA pp. 28–29 | 20 Points
K12 SWP Metrics | Required, Not Scored — Select one or more K12 SWP metrics the project seeks to increase or improve.
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Project Objectives | RFA p. 29 | 20 Points
1. Regional Workforce Outcomes
Identify measurable outcomes that align high school career pathways with regional labor market needs and high-wage, high-demand opportunities.
2. Applicant LEA Outcomes
Identify measurable outcomes that address the applicant LEA(s)’ needs, opportunities, and challenges.
3. Community College Alignment Outcomes
Identify measurable outcomes that create or strengthen alignment with community college partner(s), including curriculum alignment, early college credit, outreach, student supports, and transitions to postsecondary education and training .
4. Equity Outcomes
Identify measurable outcomes that close equity gaps for unduplicated pupils, Special Populations, and other marginalized student subgroups.
Objectives must be quantifiable and include clear timelines.
Project Objectives must directly address the issues identified in the Problem Statement.
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K14 Pathway Quality Strategies
Curriculum and Instruction
College and Career Exploration
Postsecondary Transition
Work-Based Learning
Reviewers Need to See
DEPTH OVER BREADTH
It is acceptable and encouraged to focus on a limited number of strategies. Applications are scored only on the strategy or strategies selected.
Project Work Plan | RFA pp. 30–32 | 45 Points
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Budget | RFA pp. 32–33 | 15 Points
1. Requested Budget
Create an annual budget by object code for the Lead LEA and each K–12 Partner Agency, if applicable.
2. Budget Narrative
Expenditure descriptions should align with the Project Work Plan.
3. Financial Match
Identify the source and describe how matching funds support the proposed project.
4. Leveraged Funding
Describe resources, activities, or services that support the proposed project.
5. Project Investment
Identify investments in operational infrastructure, technical/data infrastructure, equipment, and facilities.
Maximum administrative indirect cost rate: 4%
The budget should clearly align with the Project Work Plan. Detailed fiscal guidance follows in the Fiscal Overview.
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1. Statement of Assurance
Required for the Lead LEA and each K–12 Partner Agency whose ADA is included in the application.
2. Community College Letter of Commitment
Must describe the intended collaborative work and align to the proposed project.
3. Data Sharing MOU
Required for the Lead LEA and all K–12 Partner Agencies, or submit an action plan with the expected timeline for securing the MOU.
IMPORTANT WARNING: Failure to submit the Data Sharing MOU by Nov. 20, 2026 will result in award termination.
Do not upload additional documents. They will not be reviewed or considered in scoring.
Applicants must upload the following documents:
Supporting Documentation | RFA p. 34
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Breakout Session | Choose Your Applicant Path
PATH A: First-Time Applicants
Build the Case
PATH B: Returning Applicants
Scale the Impact
12-Minute Breakout Instructions:
2 min: Introductions & select a project | 8 min: Discussion | 2 min: Identify takeaway
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Is the need clear and supported by data?
Is the strategy focused and aligned?
Is the outcome measurable?
Debrief | Would You Fund It?
What is still missing before this project is ready to submit?
Break
K12 SWP Fiscal Overview
Introduction
Fiscal Overview | LARC’s Role
Pasadena Area Community College District serves as the
Fiscal Agent for the Los Angeles Regional Consortium.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following for K12 SWP funds:
What this looks like….
K12 SWP Fiscal Overview
Budget Guidance
NOVA Budget Section Example
Fiscal Overview | Guidance: Budget Details for 1000-3000 Object Codes
Budget Category/ Object Code | Required Information in NOVA Budget | Example Budget Entry | Resources |
1000 - Certificated Salaries |
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2000 - Classified Salaries |
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3000 - Employee Benefits |
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Fiscal Overview | Guidance: Salaried Position Allowability
Fiscal Overview | Guidance: Salaried Position Descriptions
Fiscal Overview | Guidance: Budget Details for 4000-7000 Object Codes
Budget Category/ Object Code | Required Information in NOVA Budget | Example Budget Entry | Resources |
4000 - Books & Supplies | Detailed description of all anticipated purchases |
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5000 - Services and Other Expenditures | Detailed description of all anticipated expenses |
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6000 - Capital Outlay | Detailed description of all anticipated purchases and expenses | Full-motion flight simulators for Aviation program in Transportation Operations pathway for grades 9-12 (2 x $107,500). | |
7000 - Indirect Costs | % Claimed Note: If $ included, must not exceed allowable indirect budget. | 4% of Direct Costs |
K12 SWP Fiscal Overview
Match Guidance
Fiscal Overview | Guidance: Match
Match Requirement
Allowable Match Sources (Examples) | Unallowable Match Sources |
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If the following is met for a match source, such as GSPP, the match source is allowable:
K12 SWP Fiscal Overview
Do’s & Dont’s
Fiscal Overview | Do’s & Don’ts
✅ DO
🚫 DON'T
Fiscal Overview | Do’s & Don’ts
Fiscal Overview | K12 SWP Fiscal Team Contacts
Alejandra L. Landa-Flores, LARC K12 Fiscal Support
Denise Cordova Vidrio, LARC Accountant
Nane Zadouri, LARC K14 TAP, Interim Director
Please include the full fiscal team and your assigned Pathway Coordinator for requests and questions.
Selection Committee
Selection Committee
Each Regional Consortium has a K12 Selection Committee that is responsible for reviewing all eligible LEA applications that are requesting K12 SWP funds within its region (Ed Code Section 88829).
Round 9 Selection Committee Criteria
The decision-making criteria for LARC Round 9 can be found at the following link.
Room 1
CITRUS | GLENDALE CCD
Room 3
COMPTON | LONG BEACH | CERRITOS
Room 4
EL CAMINO
Room 5
PASADENA | MT. SAC | RIO HONDO
BREAKOUT ROOMS
Room 2
All LACCD Colleges
Room 6
SANTA MONICA CCD
Available Resources &
Important Dates
How your K12 Pathway Coordinator Can Support
Important Dates
DATE | EVENT |
August 18, 2026 | K12 SWP application released/NOVA platform opens |
TBD | NOVA platform training posted to K12 SWP Chancellor’s Office website |
August 26, 2026 | Live Bidder’s Conference (Recording) |
September 2, 2026 | LARC Regional Engagement Session |
September 11, 2026 | Questions submission deadline (K12SWP@CCCCO.edu) |
October 2, 2026 | K12 SWP applications due in NOVA system by 5pm |
November 20, 2026 | K-12 SWP preliminary awards announced |
November 20, 2026 | K12 Selection Committees review period concludes |
December 4, 2026 | Appeals due to LARC |
December 18, 2026 | LARC Intent to Award Memo Released |
January 1, 2027 | Round 9 project term begins |
January 28, 2027 | K12 SWP Round 9 Kickoff |
June 30, 2029 | K12 SWP Project term Ends |
LARC RFA Support & Resources
Upcoming Workshops
Resources from Prior Year & Templates
Monthly Convenings
DATE |
August 25, 2026 |
September 29, 2026 |
October 20, 2026 |
November 17, 2026 |
January 26, 2027 |
February 23, 2027 |
March 16, 2027 |
April 20, 2027 |
May 25, 2027 |
The LARC K12 Strong Workforce Program Convenings provide a collaborative space for K12 Pathway Coordinators, LEAs, community colleges, and regional partners to stay informed on K12 SWP initiatives, funding opportunities, fiscal and programmatic updates, and emerging workforce trends. These meetings foster cross-sector collaboration, promote the sharing of promising practices, and support the development of high-quality career pathways that improve student access to college and career opportunities.
Help us Target Round 9 Support
Your feedback will help LARC and the K12 Pathway Coordinator team prioritize technical assistance and resources leading up to the October 2 application deadline.
WHERE ARE YOU?
Tell us where your team is in the Round 9 application process.
WHAT DO YOU NEED?
Identify the areas where additional guidance or technical assistance would be most helpful.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
Let us know if you would like follow-up support from your K12 Pathway Coordinator.
Thank You!
Sign up for LARC Updates at: https://losangelesrc.org/contact-us/