Sec. 5. Grants for high-poverty areas and areas with chronically low employment rates
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In this section: The term high-poverty area means an area in which the poverty rate, as determined by the Bureau of the Census, has been not less than 20 percent for a period of not less than 3 years. The term prime working-age employment-to-population ratio , used with respect to an area, means the ratio of the number of individuals age 25 through 54 in the area who are employed, to the number of individuals age 25 through 54 in the area. The Secretary shall award grants on a competitive basis to local boards (including community-based organizations, consistent with section 4(d)(4)(D)), that carry out jobs programs described in section 4, to provide for added costs related to carrying out the programs with modified standards specified in subsection (e), with the purpose of achieving economic development and job growth through the programs.
The Secretary shall award the grants for periods of 4 years, and pay such grants as provided under section 4(l). To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a local board shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including— a credible plan for the jobs program involved to achieve performance accountability measures described in section 4(c) through modified standards described in subsection (e), and sustain that achievement in the long term without permanent support from a grant awarded under this section; information that demonstrates stakeholder engagement in the jobs program from the public and private sectors, especially major institutions such as institutions of higher education, hospitals, or other large employers and organizations, that are located in the covered area; and a credible plan to ensure that residents of the covered area are part of the operation of and benefit from the results of the jobs program, which may include a plan to expand worker-owned enterprises, expand small local businesses, support start-up businesses owned by covered area residents, or give covered area residents a role in carrying out the jobs program.
In selecting a local board to receive a grant under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to local boards proposing to serve— high-poverty areas; or areas for which the prime working-age employment-to-population ratio has been low, relative to that ratio for the United States, for a period of not less than 3 years. In awarding a grant under this section to a local board, the Secretary is authorized to modify 1 or more of the following standards for the program carried out by the local board, if the Secretary determines that making such a modification can be reasonably expected to help the program achieve the performance accountability measures referred to in subsection (c)(1):
The periods of time specified in subparagraphs
(C)and
(D)of section 3(2). The limitation on the percentage or number of employees in program positions with a single participating employer, as specified in section 4(f)(4). The allowable duration of funding for wages and compensation as eligible costs, for a program position, as specified in section 4(h)(2). The limitation on eligible costs for supportive services and training services, as specified in section 4(h)(3). The limitation on eligible costs for administration, as specified in section 4(h)(4). The employer share of eligible costs for wages and compensation, as specified in section 4(i). The Secretary shall— evaluate the performance of jobs programs that receive funding under this section; and identify and publicize best practices used by local boards carrying out jobs programs that receive funding under this section, through the clearinghouse described in section 4(j)(5). There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020 and each subsequent fiscal year.