The California Workforce Development Board is responsible for setting the policy of the grant program and any funding for the program shall be appropriated directly to the board. The board shall administer the grant program as follows:

(a) Develop criteria for the selection of grant recipients through a public application process, including, but not limited to, the rating and ranking of applications that meet the threshold criteria set forth in this section.

(b) Design the grant program application process to ensure all of the following occurs:

(1) Outreach and technical assistance is made available to eligible applicants, especially to small population and rural counties.

(2) Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Multiyear grants may be awarded.

(3) Small and rural counties are competitive in applying for funds.

(4) Applicants are encouraged to develop, pilot, or implement, or develop, pilot, and implement, evidence-based, best practices for serving the workforce development or training needs, or both development and training needs, of the supervised population.

(5) Nonprofit community-based organizations are competitive in applying for funds as the lead applicant or in partnership with other agencies and organizations.

(6) The workforce and training needs of one or both of the following are addressed:

(A) Individuals with some postsecondary education who can enter into programs and benefit from services that result in certifications, and placement on a middle skill career ladder.

(B) Individuals who require basic education, training, or earn and learn experience in order to obtain entry level jobs where there are opportunities for career advancement.

(7) Grants are allocated equitably among the grant partners based on services and activities provided in support of the success of participants.

(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 96, Sec. 14. (SB 106) Effective July 21, 2017. Repealed as of January 1, 2021, pursuant to Section 1234.5.)