Section 3085 - Project requirementsIn order to qualify for funding, the proposed training project must meet the following criteria:
(1) The project will combine the resources of the Department of Public Welfare, the Department of Labor and Industry and the Department of Education to test new models of delivery of employment, training and education services to persons dependent on public welfare or food stamps who have multiple barriers to employment.(2) Demonstration projects must provide comprehensive employment and training services to participants which meet their individual needs. Each demonstration project must provide the following: (i) Assessment of education, employment and training needs and development of an individualized employment plan agreed to by the participant.(ii) Case management services for participants who are not ready to immediately enter employment. Case management would include obtaining needed job training services identified in the plan as well as necessary support services such as child care, training, transportation and the provision of supportive counseling during training and follow-up.(iii) Adult basic education, adult diploma programs, preparation for general equivalency diploma and English as a second language.(iv) Vocational skills, work experience, supported work or on-the-job training.(v) Job readiness training, job search assistance, job development and job placement services.(vi) Support services, such as day care, transportation and medical insurance, needed to ensure successful transition to employment. Program participants whose cash assistance is discontinued because of earned income shall be eligible for four months of continued medical assistance benefits.(vii) Projects should ensure that transitionally needy persons receive needs-based payments during training, not to exceed the amount of the applicable general assistance payment, and not to exceed six monthly payments per trainee. Such payments must be only for training which the trainee actually attends. Transitionally needy persons who start training and exhaust eligibility for cash assistance may continue to participate in training.(3) In addition to services listed in paragraph (2), each demonstration project shall develop comprehensive service models which will combine vocational skills, work experience or supported work with skills-specific literacy training and other support services needed to help the most educationally disadvantaged individuals.(4) Case management services, determination of eligibility under the Job Training Partnership Act of 1983 ( Public Law 97-300, 96 Stat. 1322) and referral to other job training and education services wherever possible shall be provided at the county assistance office. The local Office of Employment Security shall locate specialized staff at the demonstration site to provide job placement services to both those who do not require more intensive employment and training services and those who have completed training and are ready for job placement.(5) The demonstration projects shall serve on a priority basis welfare recipients who fall into one or more of the following target groups:(i) Individuals with an education grade level under the sixth grade, or individuals with limited or no fluency in the English language.(ii) Single parents receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children whose child or children are all under the age of six.(iii) Single parents receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children who have been receiving welfare benefits for more than two years.(6) Projects shall be innovative and have potential for replication elsewhere in this Commonwealth.1987, July 13, P.L. 332, No. 62, § 5, effective 7/1/1987.