(a) Each application shall include a list of proposed partners and a partnership agreement outlining the actions each party agrees to undertake as part of the project proposed in the application. Partners may include a county or counties, one or more local workforce development boards, one or more community-based organizations that work directly with the supervised population, and any participating programs operated by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Partnerships shall be designated to effectively deliver the services specified in the grant so as to meet the needs of the supervised population.

(b) Each project proposed shall allocate grant funds that reflect the role each party plays in the proposed project.

(c) Eligible uses of grant funds include, but are not limited to, vocational training, stipends for trainees, and earn and learn opportunities for the supervised population. Supportive services and job readiness activities shall serve as bridge activities that lead to enrollment in employment or training programs, or both.

(d) Preference shall be awarded to applications for the following:

(1) An application that proposes matching funds, including, but not limited to, moneys committed by local workforce development boards, local governments, and private foundation funds for the express purpose of providing services to the supervised population.

(2) An application submitted by a partnership that currently administers or participates in a workforce training program for the supervised population.

(3) An application that proposes participation by one or more employers, including mission-driven social enterprises and nonprofit organizations with a track record of employing a workforce comprised of formerly incarcerated individuals, who have demonstrated interest in employing individuals in the supervised population, including, but not limited to, earn and learn opportunities and intent to hire individuals who have successfully completed the program.

(4) Applicants that use grant funds primarily to support the direct provision of workforce and training services to the supervised population.

(5) Applicants that propose projects that align with the California Workforce Development Board’s strategic plan, regional workforce plans, or local workforce development board plans.

(e) An application shall meet the following requirements:

(1) Set a specific purpose for the use of the grant funds that aligns with the services to be provided and the role of each partner, as well as provide the baseline criteria and metrics by which the overall success of the grant project can be evaluated.

(2) Define the specific subset or subsets of the supervised population, among the eligible supervised population that the grant money will serve.

(3) Define the industry sector or sectors in which the targeted supervised population will be prepared, including the current and projected workforce within the region for those jobs, the range of wage rates, and the training, education, and experience requirements within those industry sectors.

(4) Define the general methodology and training or employment preparation methods proposed to be used and explain the manner in which the progress of the targeted supervised population will be monitored during the grant period.

(5) As appropriate, provide for a partnership with a lead community-based organization with a track record of success in effectively serving the supervised population.

(f) As a condition of receiving funds, a grant recipient shall agree to provide information to the California Workforce Development Board in sufficient detail to allow the California Workforce Development Board to meet the reporting requirements in Section 1234.4.

(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 96, Sec. 15. (SB 106) Effective July 21, 2017. Repealed as of January 1, 2021, pursuant to Section 1234.5.)