I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2611 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 21, 2011 Mr. Grijalva (for himself, Mr. Luján, Mr. Polis, Mr. Baca, and Mr. Pierluisi) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce A BILL To amend the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to prepare individuals with multiple barriers to employment to enter the workforce by providing such individuals with support services, job training, and education, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Promoting Partnerships to Transform Opportunities Act.

2.

Purpose

It is the purpose of this Act to provide resources to nonprofit organizations and minority-serving institutions to prepare individuals with multiple barriers to employment, especially underrepresented minorities, to enter the workforce by providing support services, job training, and education.

3.

Underrepresented minority programs

Subtitle D of title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 is amended by inserting after section 166 (29 U.S.C. 2911), the following new section:

166B.

Unrepresented Minority Programs

(a)

Purpose

The purpose of this section is to support employment and training activities for individuals with multiple barriers to employment in order— (1)to develop more fully the academic, occupational, and literacy skills of such individuals; (2)to make such individuals more competitive in the workforce; and (3)to promote the economic and social development of minority communities in accordance with the goals and values of such communities. (b)

Definitions

As used in this section: (1)

Minority-serving institution

The term minority-serving institution means— (A)a historically Black college or university; (B)a Hispanic-serving Institution; (C)a Tribal College or University; or (D)a Predominantly Black Institution. (2)

Historically Black College or university

The term historically Black college or university has the meaning given the term part B institution in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061). (3)

Hispanic-serving institution

The term Hispanic-serving institution has the meaning given the term in section 502 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a). (4)

Nonprofit organization

The term nonprofit organization means a nonprofit organization that focuses on preparing individuals with multiple barriers to employment to enter the workforce by providing such individuals with support services, job training, and education. (5)

Predominantly Black Institution

The term Predominantly Black Institution has the meaning given the term in section 318 (20 U.S.C. 1059e). (6)

Tribal College or University

The term Tribal College or University has the meaning given the term in section 316 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c). (c)

Program authorized

The Secretary shall, on a competitive basis, make grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, nonprofit organizations in partnership with one or more minority-serving institutions to carry out the authorized activities described in subsection (d). (d)

Authorized activities

A nonprofit organization in partnership with one or more minority-serving institutions receiving a grant, contract, or agreement under subsection (c) shall use such funds to serve individuals with multiple barriers to employment by carrying out the following activities: (1)Education services, including postsecondary education, English as a second language courses, General Education Development preparation, financial literacy workshops, access to information technology workshops and courses, Generational Diversity Awareness programs, and health and wellness programs. (2)Activities that increase access to workforce services, including on-the-job training, internships, skills training, job placement, financial literacy, and personal development. (3)Additional support services, including health and nutrition services, housing assistance, transportation, child care, and clothing. (e)

Program Plan

In order to receive a grant or enter into a contract or cooperative agreement under this subsection (c), a nonprofit organization in partnership with one or more minority-serving institutions shall submit to the Secretary a program plan that describes a strategy for meeting the needs of individuals with multiple barriers to employment in the area served by such organization. Such plan shall— (1)be consistent with the purpose of this section; (2)identify the population to be served; (3)identify the education and employment needs of the population to be served and the manner in which the activities to be provided will strengthen the ability of the individuals served to obtain or retain unsubsidized employment; (4)describe the activities to be provided and the manner in which such activities are to be integrated with other appropriate activities; and (5)describe, after the organization submitting the plan consults with the Secretary, the performance measures to be used to assess the performance of nonprofit organizations in carrying out the activities assisted under this section. (f)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2016.

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