42 USC 3056 - Older American community service employment program

Collapse to view only § 3056. Older American community service employment program

§ 3056. Older American community service employment program
§ 3056a. Administration
§ 3056b. Participants not Federal employees
§ 3056c. Interagency cooperation
§ 3056d. Distribution of assistance
§ 3056e. Equitable distribution
§ 3056f. Report
§ 3056g. Employment assistance and Federal housing and supplemental nutrition assistance programs
§ 3056h. Eligibility for workforce investment activities
§ 3056i. Coordination with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
§ 3056j. Treatment of assistance
§ 3056k. Performance
§ 3056l. Competitive requirements relating to grant awards
§ 3056m. Report on service to minority individuals
§ 3056n. Sense of Congress
§ 3056o. Authorization of appropriations
§ 3056p. Definitions and rule

§ 3056. Older American community service employment program

(a) In general

(1) Establishment of program

(2) Use of appropriated amounts

(b) Grant authority

(1) ProjectsTo carry out this subchapter, the Secretary may make grants to public and nonprofit private agencies and organizations, agencies of a State, and tribal organizations to carry out the program established under subsection (a). Such grants may provide for the payment of costs, as provided in subsection (c), of projects developed by such organizations and agencies in cooperation with the Secretary in order to make such program effective or to supplement such program. The Secretary shall make the grants from allotments made under section 3056d of this title, and in accordance with section 3056l of this title. No payment shall be made by the Secretary toward the cost of any project established or administered by such an organization or agency unless the Secretary determines that such project—

(A) will provide community service employment only for eligible individuals except for necessary technical, administrative, and supervisory personnel, and such personnel will, to the fullest extent possible, be recruited from among eligible individuals;

(B)

(i) will provide community service employment and other authorized activities for eligible individuals in the community in which such individuals reside, or in nearby communities; or

(ii) if such project is carried out by a tribal organization that receives a grant under this subsection or receives assistance from a State that receives a grant under this subsection, will provide community service employment and other authorized activities for such individuals, including those who are Indians residing on an Indian reservation, as defined in section 3501 of title 25;

(i) 27 months; or

(ii) pursuant to the request of a grantee, an extended period of participation established by the Secretary for a specific project area for such grantee, up to a period of not more than 36 months, if the Secretary determines that extenuating circumstances exist relating to the factors identified in section 3056k(a)(2)(E) of this title that justify such an extended period for the program year involved;

(D) will employ eligible individuals in service related to publicly owned and operated facilities and projects, or projects sponsored by nonprofit organizations (excluding political parties exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of title 26), but excluding projects involving the construction, operation, or maintenance of any facility used or to be used as a place for sectarian religious instruction or worship;

(E) will contribute to the general welfare of the community, which may include support for children, youth, and families;

(F) will provide community service employment and other authorized activities for eligible individuals;

(G)

(i) will not reduce the number of employment opportunities or vacancies that would otherwise be available to individuals not participating in the program;

(ii) will not displace currently employed workers (including partial displacement, such as a reduction in the hours of nonovertime work, wages, or employment benefits);

(iii) will not impair existing contracts or result in the substitution of Federal funds for other funds in connection with work that would otherwise be performed; and

(iv) will not employ or continue to employ any eligible individual to perform the same work or substantially the same work as that performed by any other individual who is on layoff;

(H) will coordinate activities with training and other services provided under title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act [29 U.S.C. 3111 et seq.], including utilizing the one-stop delivery system of the local workforce development areas involved to recruit eligible individuals to ensure that the maximum number of eligible individuals will have an opportunity to participate in the project;

(I) will include such training (such as work experience, on-the-job training, and classroom training) as may be necessary to make the most effective use of the skills and talents of those individuals who are participating, and will provide for the payment of the reasonable expenses of individuals being trained, including a reasonable subsistence allowance equivalent to the wage described in subparagraph (J);

(J) will ensure that safe and healthy employment conditions will be provided, and will ensure that participants employed in community service and other jobs assisted under this subchapter will be paid wages that shall not be lower than whichever is the highest of—

(i) the minimum wage that would be applicable to such a participant under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.), if section 6(a)(1) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)) applied to the participant and if the participant were not exempt under section 13 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 213);

(ii) the State or local minimum wage for the most nearly comparable covered employment; or

(iii) the prevailing rates of pay for individuals employed in similar public occupations by the same employer;

(K) will be established or administered with the advice of persons competent in the field of service in which community service employment or other authorized activities are being provided, and of persons who are knowledgeable about the needs of older individuals;

(L) will authorize payment for necessary supportive services costs (including transportation costs) of eligible individuals that may be incurred in training in any project funded under this subchapter, in accordance with rules issued by the Secretary;

(M) will ensure that, to the extent feasible, such project will serve the needs of minority and Indian eligible individuals, eligible individuals with limited English proficiency, and eligible individuals with greatest economic need, at least in proportion to their numbers in the area served and take into consideration their rates of poverty and unemployment;

(N)

(i) will prepare an assessment of the participants’ skills and talents and their needs for services, except to the extent such project has, for the participant involved, recently prepared an assessment of such skills and talents, and such needs, pursuant to another employment or training program (such as a program under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.), or part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)) and will prepare a related service strategy;

(ii) will provide training and employment counseling to eligible individuals based on strategies that identify appropriate employment objectives and the need for supportive services, developed as a result of the assessment and service strategy provided for in clause (i), and provide other appropriate information regarding such project; and

(iii) will provide counseling to participants on their progress in meeting such objectives and satisfying their need for supportive services;

(O) will provide appropriate services for participants, or refer the participants to appropriate services, through the one-stop delivery system of the local workforce development areas involved as established under section 121(e) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act [29 U.S.C. 3151(e)], and will be involved in the planning and operations of such system pursuant to a memorandum of understanding with the local workforce development board in accordance with section 121(c) of such Act [29 U.S.C. 3151(c)];

(P) will post in such project workplace a notice, and will make available to each person associated with such project a written explanation—

(i) clarifying the law with respect to political activities allowable and unallowable under chapter 15 of title 5 applicable to the project and to each category of individuals associated with such project; and

(ii) containing the address and telephone number of the Inspector General of the Department of Labor, to whom questions regarding the application of such chapter may be addressed;

(Q) will provide to the Secretary the description and information described in—

(i) clauses (ii) and (viii) of paragraph (2)(B), relating to coordination with other Federal programs, of section 102(b) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act [29 U.S.C. 3112(b)]; and

(ii) paragraph (2)(C)(i), relating to implementation of one-stop delivery systems, of section 102(b) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; and

(R) will ensure that entities that carry out activities under the project (including State agencies, local entities, subgrantees, and subcontractors) and affiliates of such entities receive an amount of the administrative cost allocation determined by the Secretary, in consultation with grantees, to be sufficient.

(2) Regulations

(3) Assessment and service strategies

(A) Prepared under this chapter

(B) Prepared under Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

(1) Federal shareThe Secretary may pay a Federal share not to exceed 90 percent of the cost of any project for which a grant is made under subsection (b), except that the Secretary may pay all of such cost if such project is—

(A) an emergency or disaster project; or

(B) a project located in an economically depressed area, as determined by the Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

(2) Non-Federal share

(3) Use of funds for administrative costsOf the grant amount to be paid under this subsection by the Secretary for a project, not to exceed 13.5 percent shall be available for any fiscal year to pay the administrative costs of such project, except that—

(A) the Secretary may increase the amount available to pay the administrative costs to an amount not to exceed 15 percent of the grant amount if the Secretary determines, based on information submitted by the grantee under subsection (b), that such increase is necessary to carry out such project; and

(B) if the grantee under subsection (b) demonstrates to the Secretary that—

(i) major administrative cost increases are being incurred in necessary program components, including liability insurance, payments for workers’ compensation, costs associated with achieving unsubsidized placement goals, and costs associated with other operation requirements imposed by the Secretary;

(ii) the number of community service employment positions in the project or the number of minority eligible individuals participating in the project will decline if the amount available to pay the administrative costs is not increased; or

(iii) the size of the project is so small that the amount of administrative costs incurred to carry out the project necessarily exceeds 13.5 percent of the grant amount;

the Secretary shall increase the amount available for such fiscal year to pay the administrative costs to an amount not to exceed 15 percent of the grant amount.

(4) Administrative costsFor purposes of this subchapter, administrative costs are the costs, both personnel-related and nonpersonnel-related and both direct and indirect, associated with the following:

(A) The costs of performing general administrative functions and of providing for the coordination of functions, such as the costs of—

(i) accounting, budgeting, and financial and cash management;

(ii) procurement and purchasing;

(iii) property management;

(iv) personnel management;

(v) payroll functions;

(vi) coordinating the resolution of findings arising from audits, reviews, investigations, and incident reports;

(vii) audits;

(viii) general legal services;

(ix) developing systems and procedures, including information systems, required for administrative functions;

(x) preparing administrative reports; and

(xi) other activities necessary for the general administration of government funds and associated programs.

(B) The costs of performing oversight and monitoring responsibilities related to administrative functions.

(C) The costs of goods and services required for administrative functions of the project involved, including goods and services such as rental or purchase of equipment, utilities, office supplies, postage, and rental and maintenance of office space.

(D) The travel costs incurred for official business in carrying out administrative activities or overall management.

(E) The costs of information systems related to administrative functions (such as personnel, procurement, purchasing, property management, accounting, and payroll systems), including the purchase, systems development, and operating costs of such systems.

(F) The costs of technical assistance, professional organization membership dues, and evaluating results obtained by the project involved against stated objectives.

(5) Non-Federal share of administrative costs

(6) Use of funds for wages and benefits and programmatic activity costs

(A) In generalAmounts made available for a project under this subchapter that are not used to pay for the administrative costs shall be used to pay for the costs of programmatic activities, including the costs of—

(i) participant wages, such benefits as are required by law (such as workers’ compensation or unemployment compensation), the costs of physical examinations, compensation for scheduled work hours during which an employer’s business is closed for a Federal holiday, and necessary sick leave that is not part of an accumulated sick leave program, except that no amounts provided under this subchapter may be used to pay the cost of pension benefits, annual leave, accumulated sick leave, or bonuses;

(ii) participant training (including the payment of reasonable costs of instructors, classroom rental, training supplies, materials, equipment, and tuition), which may be provided prior to or subsequent to placement and which may be provided on the job, in a classroom setting, or pursuant to other appropriate arrangements;

(iii) job placement assistance, including job development and job search assistance;

(iv) participant supportive services to enable a participant to successfully participate in a project under this subchapter, which may include the payment of reasonable costs of transportation, health and medical services, special job-related or personal counseling, incidentals (such as work shoes, badges, uniforms, eyeglasses, and tools), child and adult care, temporary shelter, and follow-up services; and

(v) outreach, recruitment and selection, intake, orientation, and assessments.

(B) Use of funds for wages and benefitsFrom the funds made available through a grant made under subsection (b), a grantee under this subchapter—

(i) except as provided in clause (ii), shall use not less than 75 percent of the grant funds to pay the wages, benefits, and other costs described in subparagraph (A)(i) for eligible individuals who are employed under projects carried out under this subchapter; or

(ii) that obtains approval for a request described in subparagraph (C) may use not less than 65 percent of the grant funds to pay the wages, benefits, and other costs described in subparagraph (A)(i).

(i) In generalA grantee may submit to the Secretary a request for approval—(I) to use not less than 65 percent of the grant funds to pay the wages, benefits, and other costs described in subparagraph (A)(i);(II) to use the percentage of grant funds described in paragraph (3) to pay for administrative costs, as specified in that paragraph;(III) to use not more than 10 percent of the grant funds for individual participants to provide activities described in clauses (ii) and (iv) of subparagraph (A), in which case the grantee shall provide (from the funds described in this subclause) the subsistence allowance described in subsection (b)(1)(I) for those individual participants who are receiving training described in that subsection from the funds described in this subclause, but may not use the funds described in this subclause to pay for any administrative costs; and(IV) to use the remaining grant funds to provide activities described in clauses (ii) through (v) of subparagraph (A).

(ii) ContentsIn submitting the request the grantee shall include in the request—(I) a description of the activities for which the grantee will spend the grant funds described in subclauses (III) and (IV) of clause (i), consistent with those subclauses;(II) an explanation documenting how the provision of such activities will improve the effectiveness of the project, including an explanation concerning whether any displacement of eligible individuals or elimination of positions for such individuals will occur, information on the number of such individuals to be displaced and of such positions to be eliminated, and an explanation concerning how the activities will improve employment outcomes for individuals served, based on the assessment conducted under subsection (b)(1)(N); and(III) a proposed budget and work plan for the activities, including a detailed description of the funds to be spent on the activities described in subclauses (III) and (IV) of clause (i).

(iii) Submission

(D) Report

(d) Project description

(e) Pilot, demonstration, and evaluation projects

(1) In general

(2) ProjectsSuch projects may include—

(A) activities linking businesses and eligible individuals, including activities providing assistance to participants transitioning from subsidized activities to private sector employment;

(B) demonstration projects and pilot projects designed to—

(i) attract more eligible individuals into the labor force;

(ii) improve the provision of services to eligible individuals under one-stop delivery systems established under section 121(e) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act [29 U.S.C. 3151(e)];

(iii) enhance the technological skills of eligible individuals; and

(iv) provide incentives to grantees under this subchapter for exemplary performance and incentives to businesses to promote their participation in the program under this subchapter;

(C) demonstration projects and pilot projects, as described in subparagraph (B), for workers who are older individuals (but targeted to eligible individuals) only if such demonstration projects and pilot projects are designed to assist in developing and implementing techniques and approaches in addressing the employment and training needs of eligible individuals;

(D) provision of training and technical assistance to support any project funded under this subchapter;

(E) dissemination of best practices relating to employment of eligible individuals; and

(F) evaluation of the activities authorized under this subchapter.

(3) Consultation

(Pub. L. 89–73, title V, § 502, as added Pub. L. 109–365, title V, § 501, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2563; amended Pub. L. 113–128, title V, § 512(w)(3), July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1713; Pub. L. 114–144, § 6(a), Apr. 19, 2016, 130 Stat. 342.)

§ 3056a. Administration

(a) State plan

(1) Governor

(2) RecommendationsIn developing the State plan prior to its submission to the Secretary, the Governor shall seek the advice and recommendations of—

(A) individuals representing the State agency and the area agencies on aging in the State, and the State and local workforce development boards established under title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act [29 U.S.C. 3111 et seq.];

(B) individuals representing public and nonprofit private agencies and organizations providing employment services, including each grantee operating a project under this subchapter in the State; and

(C) individuals representing social service organizations providing services to older individuals, grantees under subchapter III of this chapter, affected communities, unemployed older individuals, community-based organizations serving the needs of older individuals, business organizations, and labor organizations.

(3) Comments

(4) Plan provisionsThe State plan shall identify and address—

(A) the relationship that the number of eligible individuals in each area bears to the total number of eligible individuals, respectively, in the State;

(B) the relative distribution of eligible individuals residing in rural and urban areas in the State; and

(i) eligible individuals who are individuals with greatest economic need;

(ii) eligible individuals who are minority individuals;

(iii) eligible individuals who are limited English proficient;

(iv) eligible individuals who are individuals with greatest social need; and

(v) eligible individuals who have been incarcerated within the last 5 years or are under supervision following release from prison or jail within the last 5 years;

(D) the current and projected employment opportunities in the State (such as by providing information available under section 49l–2 of title 29 by occupation), and the type of skills possessed by local eligible individuals;

(E) the localities and populations for which projects of the type authorized by this subchapter are most needed; and

(F) how the activities of grantees in the State under this subchapter will be coordinated with activities carried out in the State under title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3111 et seq.) and other related programs (referred to in this subparagraph as “WIOA and related activities”), and how the State will reduce unnecessary duplication between the activities carried out under this subchapter and the WIOA and related activities.

(5) Governor’s recommendationsBefore a proposal for a grant under this subchapter for any fiscal year is submitted to the Secretary, the Governor of the State in which projects are proposed to be conducted under such grant shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to submit to the Secretary—

(A) recommendations regarding the anticipated effect of each such proposal upon the overall distribution of enrollment positions under this subchapter in the State (including such distribution among urban and rural areas), taking into account the total number of positions to be provided by all grantees in the State;

(B) any recommendations for redistribution of positions to underserved areas as vacancies occur in previously encumbered positions in other areas; and

(C) in the case of any increase in funding that may be available for use in the State under this subchapter for the fiscal year, any recommendations for distribution of newly available positions in excess of those available during the preceding year to underserved areas.

(6) Combined State plan

(7) Disruptions

(8) Determination; review

(A) Determination

(B) Review

(9) Exemption

(b) Coordination with other Federal programs

(1) In general

(2) Programs

(A) In general

(B) Use of funds

(i) Prohibition

(ii) Joint activities

(3) Informational materials on age discrimination

(d) Payments

(e) No delegation of functions

(f) Compliance

(1) Monitoring

(2) Compliance with uniform cost principles and administrative requirements

(3) Reports

(4) RecordsEach grantee described in paragraph (2) shall keep records that—

(A) are sufficient to permit the preparation of reports required by this subchapter;

(B) are sufficient to permit the tracing of funds to a level of expenditure adequate to ensure that the funds have not been spent unlawfully; and

(g) Evaluations

(Pub. L. 89–73, title V, § 503, as added Pub. L. 109–365, title V, § 501, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2571; amended Pub. L. 113–128, title V, § 512(w)(4), July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1715; Pub. L. 114–144, § 6(b), Apr. 19, 2016, 130 Stat. 342; Pub. L. 116–131, title IV, § 401(a)(1), Mar. 25, 2020, 134 Stat. 266.)

§ 3056b. Participants not Federal employees

(a) Inapplicability of certain provisions covering Federal employees

(b) Workers’ compensation

(Pub. L. 89–73, title V, § 504, as added Pub. L. 109–365, title V, § 501, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2575.)

§ 3056c. Interagency cooperation

(a) Consultation with the Assistant Secretary

(b) Consultation with heads of other agencies

(1) In general

(2) Coordination with certain activities

(Pub. L. 89–73, title V, § 505, as added Pub. L. 109–365, title V, § 501, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2575; amended Pub. L. 113–128, title V, § 512(w)(5), July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1715.)

§ 3056d. Distribution of assistance

(a) Reservations

(1) Reservation for pilot demonstration and evaluation projects

(2) Reservation for territoriesOf the funds appropriated to carry out this subchapter for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve 0.75 percent, of which—

(A) Guam, American Samoa, and the United States Virgin Islands shall each receive 30 percent of the funds so reserved; and

(B) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands shall receive 10 percent of the funds so reserved.

(3) Reservation for organizations

(b) State allotments

(c) Division between national grants and grants to StatesThe funds appropriated to carry out this subchapter for any fiscal year that remain after amounts are reserved under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a) shall be divided by the Secretary between national grants and grants to States as follows:

(1) Reservation of funds for fiscal year 2000 level of activities

(A) In general

(B) Insufficient appropriations

(2) Funding in excess of fiscal year 2000 level of activities

(A) Up to $35,000,000

(B) Over $35,000,000

(d) Allotments for national grantsFrom funds available under subsection (c) for national grants, the Secretary shall allot for public and nonprofit private agency and organization grantees that operate under this subchapter under national grants from the Secretary in each State, an amount that bears the same ratio to such funds as the product of the number of individuals age 55 or older in the State and the allotment percentage of such State bears to the sum of the corresponding products for all States, except as follows:

(1) Minimum allotment

(2) Hold harmlessIf such amount provided under subsection (c) is—

(A) equal to or less than the amount necessary to maintain the fiscal year 2000 level of activities, allotments for grantees that operate under this subchapter under national grants from the Secretary in each State shall be proportional to the amount necessary to maintain their fiscal year 2000 level of activities; or

(B) greater than the amount necessary to maintain the fiscal year 2000 level of activities, no State shall be provided a percentage increase above the amount necessary to maintain the fiscal year 2000 level of activities for grantees that operate under this subchapter under national grants from the Secretary in the State that is less than 30 percent of the percentage increase above the amount necessary to maintain the fiscal year 2000 level of activities for public and private nonprofit agency and organization grantees that operate under this subchapter under national grants from the Secretary in all of the States.

(3) Reduction

(e) Allotments for grants to StatesFrom the amount provided for grants to States under subsection (c), the Secretary shall allot for the State grantee in each State an amount that bears the same ratio to such amount as the product of the number of individuals age 55 or older in the State and the allotment percentage of such State bears to the sum of the corresponding products for all States, except as follows:

(1) Minimum allotment

(2) Hold harmlessIf such amount provided under subsection (c) is—

(A) equal to or less than the amount necessary to maintain the fiscal year 2000 level of activities, allotments for State grantees in each State shall be proportional to the amount necessary to maintain their fiscal year 2000 level of activities; or

(B) greater than the amount necessary to maintain the fiscal year 2000 level of activities, no State shall be provided a percentage increase above the amount necessary to maintain the fiscal year 2000 level of activities for State grantees in the State that is less than 30 percent of the percentage increase above the amount necessary to maintain the fiscal year 2000 level of activities for State grantees in all of the States.

(3) Reduction

(f) Allotment percentageFor purposes of subsections (d) and (e) and this subsection—

(1) the allotment percentage of each State shall be 100 percent less that percentage that bears the same ratio to 50 percent as the per capita income of such State bears to the per capita income of the United States, except that—

(A) the allotment percentage shall be not more than 75 percent and not less than 33 percent; and

(B) the allotment percentage for the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall be 75 percent;

(2) the number of individuals age 55 or older in any State and in all States, and the per capita income in any State and in all States, shall be determined by the Secretary on the basis of the most satisfactory data available to the Secretary; and

(3) for the purpose of determining the allotment percentage, the term “United States” means the 50 States,1

1 So in original. The comma probably should not appear.

and the District of Columbia.

(g) DefinitionsIn this section:

(1) Cost per authorized positionThe term “cost per authorized position” means the sum of—

(A) the hourly minimum wage rate specified in section 206(a)(1) of title 29, multiplied by the number of hours equal to the product of 21 hours and 52 weeks;

(B) an amount equal to 11 percent of the amount specified under subparagraph (A), for the purpose of covering Federal payments for fringe benefits; and

(C) an amount determined by the Secretary, for the purpose of covering Federal payments for the remainder of all other program and administrative costs.

(2) Fiscal year 2000 level of activitiesThe term “fiscal year 2000 level of activities” means—

(A) with respect to public and nonprofit private agency and organization grantees that operate under this subchapter under national grants from the Secretary, their level of activities for fiscal year 2000; and

(B) with respect to State grantees, their level of activities for fiscal year 2000.

(3) Grants to States

(4) Level of activities

(5) National grants

(6) State

(Pub. L. 89–73, title V, § 506, as added Pub. L. 109–365, title V, § 501, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2576.)

§ 3056e. Equitable distribution

(a) Interstate allocation

(b) Intrastate allocation

(Pub. L. 89–73, title V, § 507, as added Pub. L. 109–365, title V, § 501, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2579.)

§ 3056f. Report

To carry out the Secretary’s responsibilities for reporting in section 3056a(g) of this title, the Secretary shall require the State agency for each State that receives funds under this subchapter to prepare and submit a report at the beginning of each fiscal year on such State’s compliance with section 3056e(b) of this title

(Pub. L. 89–73, title V, § 508, as added Pub. L. 109–365, title V, § 501, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2579.)

§ 3056g. Employment assistance and Federal housing and supplemental nutrition assistance programs

Funds received by eligible individuals from projects carried out under the program established under this subchapter shall not be considered to be income of such individuals for purposes of determining the eligibility of such individuals, or of any other individuals, to participate in any housing program for which Federal funds may be available or for any income determination under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.).

(Pub. L. 89–73, title V, § 509, as added Pub. L. 109–365, title V, § 501, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2579; amended Pub. L. 110–234, title IV, § 4002(b)(1)(B), (2)(BB), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1096, 1097; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title IV, § 4002(b)(1)(B), (2)(BB), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1857, 1859; Pub. L. 113–79, title IV, § 4030(s), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 815.)

§ 3056h. Eligibility for workforce investment activities

Eligible individuals under this subchapter may be considered by local workforce development boards and one-stop operators established under title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act [29 U.S.C. 3111 et seq.] to satisfy the requirements for receiving services under such title that are applicable to adults.

(Pub. L. 89–73, title V, § 510, as added Pub. L. 109–365, title V, § 501, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2580; amended Pub. L. 113–128, title V, § 512(w)(6), July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1715.)

§ 3056i. Coordination with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

(a) Partners

(b) Coordination

In local workforce investment areas where more than 1 grantee under this subchapter provides services, the grantees shall—

(1) coordinate their activities related to the one-stop delivery systems; and

(2) be signatories of the memorandum of understanding established under section 121(c) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act [29 U.S.C. 3151(c)].

(Pub. L. 89–73, title V, § 511, as added Pub. L. 109–365, title V, § 501, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2580; amended Pub. L. 113–128, title V, § 512(w)(7), July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1716; Pub. L. 114–144, § 6(c), Apr. 19, 2016, 130 Stat. 343.)

§ 3056j. Treatment of assistance

Assistance provided under this subchapter shall not be considered to be financial assistance described in section 1255a(h)(1)(A) of title 8.

(Pub. L. 89–73, title V, § 512, as added Pub. L. 109–365, title V, § 501, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2580.)

§ 3056k. Performance

(a) Measures

(1) Establishment and implementation of measures

(2) Content

(A) Composition of measures

(B) Expected levels of performance

(i) First 2 years

(ii) Third and fourth year

(D) Factors

In reaching the agreements described in subparagraph (B), each grantee and the Secretary shall—

(i) take into account how the levels involved compare with the expected levels of performance established for other grantees;

(ii) ensure that the levels involved are adjusted, using an objective statistical model based on the model established by the Secretary in accordance with section 3141(a)(3)(A)(viii) 2

2 So in original. Probably should be “3141(b)(3)(A)(viii)”.

of title 29; 3

3 See References in Text note below.

and

(iii) take into account the extent to which the levels involved promote continuous improvement in performance accountability on the core measures and ensure optimal return on the investment of Federal funds.

(E) Adjustments based on economic conditions and individuals served during the program year

(3) Limitation

(b) Indicators of performance

(1) Core indicators

The core indicators of performance described in subsection (a)(2)(A) shall consist of—

(A) hours (in the aggregate) of community service employment;

(B) the percentage of project participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the project;

(C) the percentage of project participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the fourth quarter after exit from the project;

(D) the median earnings of project participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the project;

(E) indicators of effectiveness in serving employers, host agencies, and project participants; and

(F) the number of eligible individuals served, including the number of participating individuals described in subsection (a)(3)(B)(ii) or (b)(2) of section 3056p of this title.

(2) Definitions of indicators

(d) Technical assistance and corrective efforts

(1) Initial determinations

(A) In general

(B) Technical assistance

(2) National grantees

(A) In general

(B) Technical assistance and corrective action plan

(i) In general

(ii) Content

(iii) Recompetition

(iv) Use of core indicators

(3) State grantees

(A) In general

(B) Technical assistance and corrective action plan

(i) In general

(ii) Content

(iii) Competition

(4) Special rule for implementation

(e) Impact on grant competition

(Pub. L. 89–73, title V, § 513, as added Pub. L. 109–365, title V, § 501, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2580; amended Pub. L. 114–144, § 6(d), Apr. 19, 2016, 130 Stat. 343.)

§ 3056l. Competitive requirements relating to grant awards

(a) Program authorized

(1) Initial approval of grant applications

(2) Continuation of approval based on performance

(b) Eligible applicants

For purposes of subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall select the eligible applicants to receive grants based on the following:

(1) The applicant’s ability to administer a project that serves the greatest number of eligible individuals, giving particular consideration to individuals with greatest economic need, individuals with greatest social need, and individuals described in subsection (a)(3)(B)(ii) or (b)(2) of section 3056p of this title.

(2) The applicant’s ability to administer a project that provides employment for eligible individuals in the communities in which such individuals reside, or in nearby communities, that will contribute to the general welfare of the communities involved.

(3) The applicant’s ability to administer a project that moves eligible individuals into unsubsidized employment.

(4) The applicant’s prior performance, if any, in meeting core measures of performance under this subchapter and the applicant’s ability to address core indicators of performance under this subchapter and under other Federal or State programs in the case of an applicant that has not previously received a grant under this subchapter.

(5) The applicant’s ability to move individuals with multiple barriers to employment, including individuals described in subsection (a)(3)(B)(ii) or (b)(2) of section 3056p of this title, into unsubsidized employment.

(6) The applicant’s ability to coordinate activities with other organizations at the State and local level.

(7) The applicant’s plan for fiscal management of the project to be administered with funds received in accordance with this section.

(8) The applicant’s ability to administer a project that provides community service.

(9) The applicant’s ability to minimize disruption in services for participants and in community services provided.

(10) Any additional criteria that the Secretary considers to be appropriate in order to minimize disruption in services for participants.

(d) Responsibility tests

(1) In general

(2) Review

(3) Failure to satisfy test

(4) Test

The responsibility tests include review of the following factors:

(A) Unsuccessful efforts by the applicant to recover debts, after 3 demand letters have been sent, that are established by final agency action, or a failure to comply with an approved repayment plan.

(B) Established fraud or criminal activity of a significant nature within the organization or agency involved.

(C) Serious administrative deficiencies identified by the Secretary, such as failure to maintain a financial management system as required by Federal rules or regulations.

(D) Willful obstruction of the audit process.

(E) Failure to provide services to participants for a current or recent grant or to meet applicable core measures of performance or address applicable indicators of performance.

(F) Failure to correct deficiencies brought to the grantee’s attention in writing as a result of monitoring activities, reviews, assessments, or other activities.

(G) Failure to return a grant closeout package or outstanding advances within 90 days of the grant expiration date or receipt of the closeout package, whichever is later, unless an extension has been requested and granted.

(H) Failure to submit required reports.

(I) Failure to properly report and dispose of Government property as instructed by the Secretary.

(J) Failure to have maintained effective cash management or cost controls resulting in excess cash on hand.

(K) Failure to ensure that a subrecipient complies with its Office of Management and Budget Circular A–133 audit requirements specified at section 667.200(b) of title 20, Code of Federal Regulations.

(L) Failure to audit a subrecipient within the required period.

(M) Final disallowed costs in excess of 5 percent of the grant or contract award if, in the judgment of the grant officer, the disallowances are egregious.

(N) Failure to establish a mechanism to resolve a subrecipient’s audit in a timely fashion.

(5) Determination

(6) Disallowed costs

(e) Grantees serving individuals with barriers to employment

(1) Definition

(2) Special consideration

(f) Minority-serving grantees

(Pub. L. 89–73, title V, § 514, as added Pub. L. 109–365, title V, § 501, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2584; amended Pub. L. 114–144, § 6(e), Apr. 19, 2016, 130 Stat. 346; Pub. L. 116–131, title IV, § 401(a)(2), Mar. 25, 2020, 134 Stat. 266.)

§ 3056m. Report on service to minority individuals

(a) In general

(b) Contents

(1) Organization and data

(2) Efforts

(3) Related matters

The report shall also include—

(A) an assessment of individual grantees based on the criteria established under subsection (c);

(B) an analysis of whether any changes in grantees have affected participation rates of such minority individuals;

(D) recommendations for increasing participation of minority individuals in the program.

(d) Submission

(Pub. L. 89–73, title V, § 515, as added Pub. L. 109–365, title V, § 501, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2587.)

§ 3056n. Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that—

(1) the older American community service employment program described in this subchapter was established with the intent of placing older individuals in community service positions and providing job training; and

(2) placing older individuals in community service positions strengthens the ability of the individuals to become self-sufficient, provides much-needed support to organizations that benefit from increased civic engagement, and strengthens the communities that are served by such organizations.

(Pub. L. 89–73, title V, § 516, as added Pub. L. 109–365, title V, § 501, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2587.)

§ 3056o. Authorization of appropriations

(a) In general

(b) Obligation

At the end of the program year, the Secretary may recapture any unexpended funds for the program year, and reobligate such funds within the 2 succeeding program years for—

(1) incentive grants to entities that are State grantees or national grantees under section 3056(b) of this title;

(2) technical assistance; or

(3) grants or contracts for any other activity under this subchapter.

(Pub. L. 89–73, title V, § 517, as added Pub. L. 109–365, title V, § 501, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2587; amended Pub. L. 114–144, § 6(f), Apr. 19, 2016, 130 Stat. 346; Pub. L. 116–131, title IV, § 402, Mar. 25, 2020, 134 Stat. 267.)

§ 3056p. Definitions and rule

(a) Definitions

For purposes of this subchapter:

(1) Community service

The term “community service” means—

(A) social, health, welfare, and educational services (including literacy tutoring), legal and other counseling services and assistance, including tax counseling and assistance and financial counseling, and library, recreational, and other similar services;

(B) conservation, maintenance, or restoration of natural resources;

(D) antipollution and environmental quality efforts;

(E) weatherization activities;

(F) economic development; and

(G) such other services essential and necessary to the community as the Secretary determines by rule to be appropriate.

(2) Community service employment

(3) Eligible individual

(A) In general

(B) Participation

(i) Exclusion

(ii) Increased periods of participation

The Secretary shall authorize a grantee for a project to increase the period of participation described in clause (i), pursuant to a request submitted by the grantee, for individuals who—

(I) have a severe disability;(II) are frail or are age 75 or older;(III) meet the eligibility requirements related to age for, but do not receive, benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.);(IV) live in an area with persistent unemployment and are individuals with severely limited employment prospects;(V) have limited English proficiency or low literacy skills; or(VI) have been incarcerated within the last 5 years or are under supervision following release from prison or jail within the last 5 years.

(4) Income

(5) Local workforce development board; state workforce development board

(6) Pacific Island and Asian Americans

(7) Program

(8) Supportive services

(9) Unemployed

(b) Rule

Pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary, an eligible individual shall have priority for the community service employment and other authorized activities provided under this subchapter if the individual—

(1) is 65 years of age or older; or

(2)

(A) has a disability;

(B) has limited English proficiency or low literacy skills;

(D) is a veteran;

(E) has low employment prospects;

(F) has failed to find employment after utilizing services provided under title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act [29 U.S.C. 3111 et seq.];

(G) is homeless or at risk for homelessness; or

(H) has been incarcerated within the last 5 years or is under supervision following release from prison or jail within the last 5 years.

(Pub. L. 89–73, title V, § 518, as added Pub. L. 109–365, title V, § 501, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2588; amended Pub. L. 113–128, title V, § 512(w)(8), July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1716; Pub. L. 114–144, § 6(g), Apr. 19, 2016, 130 Stat. 346; Pub. L. 116–131, title IV, § 401(a)(3), Mar. 25, 2020, 134 Stat. 266.)