Sec. 204. English as a Gateway to Integration grant program
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The Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education at the Department of Education and the Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families at the Department of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the Assistant Secretaries ), in consultation with the Director of the National Office of New Americans, shall award English as a Gateway to Integration grants to eligible entities. An entity eligible to receive a grant under this section is a State or unit of local government, a Tribal government, a private organization, an educational institution, a community-based organization, or a nonprofit organization that— in the case of any applicant that has previously received a grant under this section, uses matching funds from non-Federal sources, which may include in-kind contributions, equal to 25 percent of the amount received from the English as a Gateway to Integration program to carry out such program; submits to the Assistant Secretaries an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Assistant Secretaries may reasonably require, including— a description of the target population to be served, including demographics, literacy levels, integration needs, and English language levels of the target population; and the assessment and performance measures that the grant recipient plans to use to evaluate the integration and English language learning progress of students and overall success of the instruction and program; demonstrates collaboration with public and private entities to provide the instruction and assistance described in subsection (c)(1); provides integration-focused English language programs that— teach integration and English language skills to— lower-educated individuals; limited English proficient
(LEP)individuals; and parents and others who are caretakers of young children; support and promote the social, economic, and civic integration of adult English language learners and their families; and equip adult English language learners for ongoing independent study and learning beyond classroom or formal instruction; and is located in 1 of the 10 States with the highest rate of foreign-born residents; or is located in an area that has experienced a large increase in the population of immigrants during the most recent 10-year period relative to past migration patterns, based on data compiled by the Office of Immigration Statistics or the United States Census Bureau. Funds awarded under this section shall be used to provide English language and integration knowledge and skill instruction along with student guidance and navigation services to learners. Such instruction shall advance the integration of students in order to help them— build their knowledge of United States history and civics; prepare for United States citizenship and the naturalization process; gain digital literacy; understand and support children’s success within the early childhood, K–12, and postsecondary education systems; gain financial literacy; build an understanding of the housing market and systems in the United States; learn about and access the United States, State, and local health care systems; prepare for a high school equivalency diploma or postsecondary training or education; and prepare for and secure employment. Funds awarded under this section shall be used to support program designs that may include the following elements: English language and integration knowledge and skill instruction in a classroom setting, along with associated guidance and navigation supports provided that such setting is in a geographic location accessible to the population served. English language and integration knowledge and skill instruction programs that may incorporate online and digital components, such as the use of mobile phones, computers, and blended or distance learning platforms. Educational support and specialized instruction for adult English language learners with low levels of literacy in their first language. Two-generation approaches designed to support children’s school success and lift family integration trajectories. In order to receive a payment under this section, a participating entity shall submit to the Assistant Secretaries 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 Secretaries. 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 Secretaries the following: A report that describes— the activities undertaken by the entity that were funded entirely or partially by the grant funds; the service area; the number of immigrants in the service area; the primary languages spoken in the service area; the number of adult English language learners receiving assistance that was funded entirely or partially by grant funds received by the entity under this section; and a breakdown of the costs of the program services provided and the average per capita cost of providing such instruction. 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; and whether the English language and integration knowledge and skill instruction needs of the service area have been met; in the case of an assessment under subparagraph (A)(ii) that such needs have not been met, a description of the additional assistance required to meet such needs; and the results of any assessment or evaluation of progress or success described in subsection (b)(2)(B). In this section: The term adult English language learner refers to an individual age 16 or older who is not enrolled in secondary school and who is limited English proficient. The terms English language learner and limited English proficient describe an individual who does not speak English as their primary language and who has a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for fiscal years 2022 through 2023.