I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4299 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 11, 2009 Mr. Smith of Washington (for himself, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Watson, Mr. Carnahan, Ms. Clarke, Mr. Dicks, Mr. Buchanan, and Mr. Braley of Iowa) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor A BILL To authorize a capitalization of self-sustainable social services grant program to provide workforce development opportunities and training to people with barriers to employment.

1.

Capitalization grants to build jobs

(a)

In general

The Secretary shall award grants in accordance with this section for projects proposed by eligible applicants who— (1)demonstrate the potential effectiveness of the proposed project to develop capitalization procedures for the creation of jobs and the delivery of self-sustainable social services to people with barriers to employment; and (2)provide evidence of the ability of the eligible applicant to coordinate with community colleges and/or other organizations at the State and local level. (b)

Definitions

In this section— (1)the term capitalization procedures means the use of capital funding to build, renovate, provide leasehold improvements, or purchase real property; (2)the term eligible applicant means a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide workforce development opportunities and training to people with barriers to employment, a local workforce investment board established under section 117 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2832), a State, a political subdivision of a State, or an Indian tribe; (3)the term Secretary means the Secretary of Labor; and (4)the term self-sustainable social services means education, training, and career services for people with barriers to employment that are sustained by the independent business model of the grantee and do not require federal funding for basic programmatic expenses, although this provision does not preclude applicants from participating in other Federal programs. (c)

Priority

Applicants demonstrating prior experience using capitalization to build sustainable job training and job creation projects will be given priority in the first round of grants, including organizations awarded grants under section 413(h)(3)(A) of the Social Security Act and organizations that are similarly situated in other regions that also have the capacity to replicate the model implemented under section 413(h)(3)(A). (d)

Single grantee

The Secretary may choose to grant funds to a single national organization to distribute funds among its member local organizations if the national organization includes in its membership local organizations that were previously awarded grants under section 413(h)(3)(A) and those prior grantees agree to provide technical assistance to new grantees. (e)

Application

Each eligible applicant desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require. (f)

Assessments and reports by grantees

An eligible applicant that receives a grant under this section shall assess and report on the outcomes of self-sustainable social services that result from newly capitalized entities, including the identity of each service operator, the number of jobs created, demographic information about service recipients, including education level, literacy level, prior work experience and identified barriers to employment, the nature of education, training, or other services received, the reason for leaving the program, and outcomes related to the placement of the service recipients in an unsubsidized job, including 9-month employment retention, wage at placement, benefits, and earnings progression, as specified by the Secretary. (g)

Evaluations

(1)

In general

The Secretary is authorized to conduct evaluation and research, either directly or through grants or contracts, to determine the effectiveness of capitalization in providing workforce development opportunities and training to people with barriers to employment after the grantee has had 3 years to capitalize and build or expand its programs. (2)

Reservation of funds

Of the amount appropriated for a fiscal year, an amount equal to 1 percent of such amount for each such fiscal year shall be reserved for use by the Secretary to conduct evaluations. (h)

Authorization of Appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for carrying out this section and to remain available until expended— (1)$100,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; (2)$100,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and (3)such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2012 through 2014.