Sec. 203. Workforce development and prosperity grants
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/bill/116/hr/4928/ih/section-203·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
It is the policy of the United States— that adults have equitable access to education and workforce programs that— help them learn basic skills in reading, writing, math and the English language; and equip them with occupational skills needed to secure or advance in employment, to fill employer needs, and support themselves and their families; to strengthen the economy by helping adults with limited skills to attain industry-recognized postsecondary credentials; and that workforce programs for adults with limited skills incorporate an integrated education and training approach that allow adults to acquire basic skills while pursuing occupational or industry specific training.
The Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education at the Department of Education (referred to as the Assistant Secretary in this section), in consultation with the Director of the National Office of New Americans, shall award Workforce Development and Shared Prosperity grants, on a competitive basis, to States and local governments or other qualifying entities described in subsection (c), in collaboration with State and local governments. Qualifying entities under this section may include— an educational institution; a private organization; a community-based organization; or a not-for-profit organization.
A State or local government or qualifying entity in collaboration with a State or local government is eligible to receive a grant under this section provided that the State or local government or entity— supports and promotes the economic integration of immigrants and refugees and their families; has expertise in workforce development and adult education for the purpose of developing and implementing State or local programs of integrated education and training; in carrying out the grant program, includes at least one entity— with expertise in workforce development for immigrants and refugees; and with expertise in adult education of immigrants and refugees; uses matching funds from non-Federal sources, which may include in-kind contributions, equal to 25 percent of the amount received from the Workforce Development and Shared Prosperity grants program; and submits to the Assistant Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Assistant Secretary may reasonably require, including— a description of the target population to be served, including demographics, English language levels, educational levels, and skill levels of the target population; the specific integrated education and training instructional model to be implemented; how the program will be designed and implemented by educators with expertise in adult education, English language instruction and occupational skills training; how the program will prepare students to receive a high school equivalency credential; how the program will prepare students to receive a postsecondary credential; the occupations or industry for which the program will prepare students for employment; evidence of employer demand for the skills or occupational training offered by the grant program; the extent to which the program reduces the time required for students to acquire English and workforce skills; how the program will increase digital literacy skills; how the program will provide student support services including guidance counseling in order to promote student success; and the assessment and performance measures that the grant recipient plans to use to evaluate— the progress of adult learners in acquiring basic skills such as reading, writing, math and the English language; and the success of the grant program to prepare students for employment and to help them find employment or advance in employment.
In order to receive a payment under this section, a participating entity shall submit to the Assistant Secretary a certification that the proposed uses of grant funds by the entity are consistent with this section and meet all necessary criteria determined by the Assistant Secretary in consultation with the Director of the National Office of New Americans. The Assistant Secretary shall provide technical assistance to adult education providers on how to provide integrated education and training.
Not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year for which an entity receives grant funds under this section, the entity shall submit to the Assistant Secretary the following: A report that describes— the activities undertaken by the entity that were funded entirely or partially by the grant funds; the geographic area or areas served by the grant funds; the number of immigrants in such areas; the primary languages spoken in such areas; and a breakdown of the costs of each of the services provided and the average per capita cost of providing such services.
An evaluation of any program of the entity using grant funds under this section, including an assessment of— the effectiveness of such program and recommendations for improving the program; whether or not the legal services needs of the geographic area served have been met and if not, what further assistance is required to meet such need; and the results of any assessment or evaluation of progress or success described in subsection (c)(5)(I). In this section, the following definitions apply:
The term State means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The term integrated education and training means instruction that provides adult education, literacy and English language activities concurrently and contextually with workforce preparation activities and workforce training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster for the purpose of educational and career advancement.
The term adult education means academic instruction and education services below the postsecondary level that increase an individual’s ability to read, write, and speak English and perform mathematics or other activities necessary for the attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, transition to postsecondary education and training, or obtain employment. There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for fiscal years 2021 through 2022.