H.R. 2560House113th Congress (2013-2015)In Committee

Community College to Career Fund Act

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Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.

Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee

September 13, 2013

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

June 27, 2013

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Education and Workforce Committee

June 27, 2013

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.

Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee

September 13, 2013

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.R. 2560 on the floor

1 Democrat

Rep. Steny H. HoyerD-MD-5 · May 7, 2013

Mr. Speaker, I rise once again to call on Congress to replace the dangerous and irrational sequester with a big and balanced deficit solution. Ten weeks after the dysfunction of this Congress led to…

Mr. Speaker, I rise once again to call on Congress to replace the dangerous and irrational sequester with a big and balanced deficit solution.

Ten weeks after the dysfunction of this Congress led to the sequester taking effect, our economy and the most vulnerable in our society are continuing to experience its effects. On a macro level, the sequester has added to the uncertainty businesses and markets were already facing, making it even more difficult to plan for the future and discouraging private sector investment and development that creates jobs.

Just this past Wednesday, the Federal Reserve issued a statement that ``fiscal policy is restraining economic growth.''

But the ill-effects of the Republican sequester policy have been most devastating to those who are in the greatest need and rely on Federal assistance. 70,000 children who will be 3 once and 4 once will be kicked out of Head Start. $115 million in subsidies that help low- income parents access child care while they work will be eliminated. Over half a billion dollars is being taken away from children and family service programs. Because of the sequester, our most vulnerable children are at risk of losing their shot at the American Dream.

It's not only our youngest citizens who are being hurt by sequestration. Low-income seniors will see 4 million fewer Meals on Wheels deliveries this year, putting at risk seniors who are sick and homebound.

The National Institutes of Health will have to reduce life-saving medical research, and 600,000 women, infants, and children could be dropped from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's nutrition program. What an extraordinarily perverse version of ``women and children first''--an admonition to save first, not abandon first.

Congress, Mr. Speaker, must act to replace this stupid sequester. I tell people that sequester starts with ``s,'' which stands for stupid. Congress needs to replace it with a big, balanced agreement that every bipartisan commission that has looked at our fiscal challenge has recommended. Restoring financial discipline sets America on a fiscally sustainable path and enables us to invest in education, innovation, and infrastructure that will grow our economy, create jobs and keep millions out of poverty and lift millions of others from poverty.

In order for that to happen, of course, Mr. Speaker, I think you should appoint budget conferees so that negotiations on such a rational solution can begin in earnest.

Sadly, it's becoming increasingly clear that Republicans are in no hurry to complete the work on a budget as a result of the draconian, unrealistic, and damaging spending levels they set forth under the sequester. Simply put, they cannot implement the budget they adopted, neither through the appropriations process nor through the Ways and Means Committee.

Sequestration, of course, was meant to be so unacceptable that we surely would not allow it to come into effect. But it has. It has because it reflects the spending levels Republicans have long sought.

Now, when I say that, some Republicans say, oh, well, the sequester was the President's idea. Not only is the President opposed to sequester, Democrats in the Senate and Democrats in the House are opposed. Most Republicans--that is to say, 229 Republicans--voted for H.R. 2560, Cut, Cap, and Balance. And what this bill that 229 Republicans voted for--and, by the way, 181 Democrats voted against-- was to say that we set numbers. If we don't meet them, what do we have? A sequester.

Sequester was their policy; the across-the-board, irrational cutting of the highest priority and the lowest priority the same was their policy that they voted for, an unfortunate policy because it is so irrational and so harmful. Now they won't say how we can get there, of course, because it just isn't possible without gutting some of the most important programs that have a positive impact on our communities. The Republican Appropriations chairman, my friend, Mr. Rogers from Kentucky, said, on April 25:

There will be some who are shocked. I don't think people

yet understand how severe the numbers will be.

That's the Republican chairman, my friend, with whom I served for many years on that committee, Hal Rogers from Kentucky. ``How severe the numbers will be.'' They're the numbers that were in the Ryan budget; they're the numbers that will be affected by sequester.

Republicans are setting up, in my view, a dangerous game of hide-and- seek in which they will hide what sequester levels actually mean and try to mitigate the ones they believe will have political backlash, very frankly, as we did just about 12 days ago regarding the FAA.

They know they can't achieve cuts their caucus can agree on and that the American people would support. And they seek, in my view, to blame the President and Democrats for what has been a wrong-standing Republican policy which I referenced in their Cut, Cap, and Balance legislation for which 229 of them voted for on July 19, 2011.

To do so, Republicans proposed shifting the defense portion of the sequester--``to do so,'' meaning to get to the numbers that they proposed--by shifting the defense portion of the sequester on to domestic programs. In other words, the cuts that would normally be across the board, their solution is to simply shift them to some of the programs that I mentioned earlier in terms of Head Start, Meals on Wheels, and other programs that are so necessary to make sure that some of the least of ours are taken care of.

Of course, this is a breaking of the agreement reached in the Budget Control Act of 2011. We all know the likely outcome of these partisan games, Mr. Speaker. House Republicans will once again be divided, as they were a week before we left, and prevent the adoption of a budget that includes a balanced approach.

Now, balanced approach, I won't like all of it. My friend, Mr. Jones, won't like all of it. None of us will like all of it because it will be balanced and we'll have to take the good with the bad. But what it will be is an effort and a reality of getting America on a fiscally sustainable, credible path. Democrats are ready to make tough choices necessary to reach a compromise, and both sides have a responsibility-- my side, their side. Very frankly, we ought to be one side, the American side. Both sides have a responsibility to work together to meet our challenges in a sensible way, not a senseless, irrational way, which is what the sequester does, but in a smart way, worthy of our role as the American people's representatives.

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Introduced in HouseIssued June 27, 2013

113th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2560

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 27, 2013

Mr. George Miller of California (for himself, Mr. Tierney, Mr. Hinojosa, Mrs. Capps, Mr. Israel, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Mr. Conyers, Mrs. Napolitano, Ms. Norton, Ms. Jackson Lee, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Ms. Esty, Ms. Bordallo, Mr. Ryan of Ohio, Mr. Cárdenas, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Moran, Mrs. Negrete McLeod, Mr. Dingell, and Mr. Sablan) 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 support community college and industry partnerships, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Community College to Career Fund Act.

Community College to Career Fund

Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 amended by adding at the end the following:

Community College to Career Fund

199B.

Community college and industry partnerships program

(a)

Grants authorized

From funds appropriated under section 199F(1), the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education, in accordance with the interagency agreement described in section 199G, shall award competitive grants to eligible entities described in subsection (b) for the purpose of developing, offering, improving or providing educational or career training programs for workers.

(b)

Eligible entity

(1)

Partnerships with employers or an employer or industry partnership

(A)

General definition

For purposes of this section, an eligible entity means any of the entities described in subparagraph (B) (or a consortium of any of such entities) in partnership with employers or an employer or industry partnership representing multiple employers.

(B)

Description of entities

The entities described in this subparagraph are as follows:

(i)

a community college;

(ii)

a 4-year public institution of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)) that offers 2-year degrees, and which will use funds provided under this section for activities at the certificate and associate degree levels;

(iii)

a tribal college or university (as defined in section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965); or

(iv)

a private or nonprofit, 2-year institution of higher education (as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)) in Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau.

(2)

Additional Partnerships

(A)

Authorization of additional partnerships

In addition to partnering with employers or an employer or industry partnership representing multiple employers as described in paragraph (1)(A), an eligible entity described in paragraph (1) may partner with 1 or more of the organizations described in subparagraph (B). An eligible entity in partnership with 1 or more such organizations shall collaborate with the State or local board in the area served by the eligible entity.

(B)

Organizations

The organizations described in this subparagraph are as follows:

(i)

An adult education provider or institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)).

(ii)

A community-based organization.

(iii)

A joint-labor management partnership.

(iv)

A State or local board.

(v)

Any other organization that the Secretaries consider appropriate.

(c)

Educational or career training program

For purposes of this section, the Governor of the State in which at least 1 of the entities described in subsection (b)(1)(B) of an eligible entity is located shall establish criteria for the educational or career training program for which the eligible entity submits a grant proposal under subsection (d).

(d)

Application

An eligible entity seeking a grant under this section shall submit a grant proposal to the Secretaries at such time and containing such information as the Secretaries determine is required, including a detailed description of—

(1)

the specific educational or career training program for which the grant proposal is submitted and that meets the criteria established under subsection (c), including the manner in which the grant will be used to develop, offer, improve, or provide the educational or career training program;

(2)

the extent to which the program will meet the educational or career training needs of workers in the area served by the eligible entity;

(3)

the extent to which the program will meet the needs of employers in the region for skilled workers in in-demand industry sectors and occupations;

(4)

the extent to which the program submitted fits within any overall strategic plan developed by an eligible entity; and

(5)

any previous experience of the eligible entity in providing educational or career training programs, the absence of which shall not automatically disqualify an eligible institution from receiving a grant under this section.

(e)

Criteria for award

(1)

In general

Grants under this section shall be awarded based on criteria established by the Secretaries, that include the following:

(A)

A determination of the merits of the grant proposal submitted by the eligible entity to develop, offer, improve, or provide an educational or career training program to be made available to workers.

(B)

An assessment of the likely employment opportunities available in the region to individuals who complete an educational or career training program that the eligible entity proposes to develop, offer, improve, or provide.

(C)

An assessment of prior demand for training programs by individuals eligible for training served by the eligible entity as well as availability and capacity of existing training programs to meet future demand for training programs.

(2)

Priority

In awarding grants under this section, the Secretaries shall give priority to eligible entities that—

(A)

include a partnership with a business or industry or sector partnership that—

(i)

pays a portion of the costs of such programs; or

(ii)

agrees to hire individuals who have completed a particular postsecondary degree, certificate, or credential resulting from the training program of the eligible entity;

(B)

enter into a partnership with a labor organization or labor-management training program that provides technical expertise for occupationally specific education necessary for a recognized postsecondary credential leading to a skill occupation in an in-demand industry sector;

(C)

are focused on serving individuals with barriers to employment, low-income, non-traditional students, students who are dislocated workers, students who are veterans, or students who are long-term unemployed;

(D)

are community colleges serving areas with high unemployment rates, including rural areas;

(E)

are eligible entities that include an institution of higher education eligible for assistance under title III or V of the Higher Education Act of 1965; and

(F)

include a partnership with a business or industry or sector partnership that increases domestic production of goods, such as advanced manufacturing or clean energy technology.

(f)

Use of funds

Grants awarded under this section shall be used for one or more of the following:

(1)

The development, offering, improvement, or provision of academic programs or training programs, that provide relevant job training for skilled occupations that will meet the needs of employers in in-demand industries sectors, and which may include registered apprenticeship programs, on-the-job training programs, and programs that support employers in upgrading the skills of their workforce.

(2)

The development and implementation of policies and programs to expand opportunities for students to earn a recognized postsecondary credential or degree in in-demand industry sectors and occupations, including by—

(A)

facilitating the transfer of academic credits between institutions of higher education, including the transfer of academic credits for courses in the same field of study;

(B)

expanding articulation agreements and policies that guarantee transfer between such institutions, including through common course numbering and general core curriculum; and

(C)

developing or enhancing student support services programs.

(3)

The creation of workforce programs that provide a sequence of education and occupational training that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential or degree, including programs that—

(A)

blend basic skills and occupational training;

(B)

facilitate means of transitioning from non-credit occupational, basic skills, or developmental coursework to for-credit coursework within and across institutions;

(C)

build or enhance linkages including the development of dual enrollment programs and early college high schools between secondary education or adult education programs (including programs established under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) and title II of this Act);

(D)

implement other innovative programs designed to increase the provision of training for students, including students who are veteran members of the National Guard or Reserves, to enter skilled occupations in in-demand industry sectors; and

(E)

support paid internships that will allow students to simultaneously earn credit for work-based learning and gain relevant employment experience in an in-demand industry sector or occupation, which shall include opportunities that transition individuals into employment.

(4)

The support of regional or national in-demand industry sectors to develop skills consortia that will identify pressing workforce needs and develop solutions such as—

(A)

standardizing industry certifications;

(B)

developing new training technologies; and

(C)

collaborating with industry employers to define and describe how specific skills lead to particular jobs and career opportunities.

199C.

Pay-for-Performance and Pay-for-Success Job Training projects

(a)

Award grants authorized

From funds appropriated under section 199F(2), the Secretaries, in accordance with the interagency agreement described in section 199G, shall award grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities described in subsection (b) who meet specific performance outcomes and criteria established by the Secretaries under subsection (c). Projects funded by grants under this section shall be referred to as either Pay-for-Performance or Pay-for-Success projects, as set forth in subsection (b).

(b)

Eligible entity

To be eligible to receive a grant under this section an entity shall be a State or local organization (which may be a local workforce organization) in partnership with entities such as community colleges and other training providers who—

(1)

in the case of Pay-for-Performance projects, agree to be reimbursed primarily on the basis of achievement of specified performance outcomes and criteria agreed upon by the Secretaries under subsection (c); or

(2)

in the case of Pay-for-Success projects, include partnerships with investors, such as philanthropic organizations that provide funding for a specific project or projects to address a clear and measurable job training need in the community or region and agree to be reimbursed under the grant only if the project or projects meet specified performance outcomes and criteria agreed to by the Secretaries under subsection (c).

(c)

Performance outcomes and criteria

Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this subtitle, the Secretaries shall establish and publish specific performance measures for the initial qualification of eligible entities to receive a grant under this section. At a minimum, to receive an award an eligible entity shall—

(1)

identify a particular program area and client population that is not achieving optimal outcomes;

(2)

provide evidence that the proposed strategy would achieve better results;

(3)

clearly articulate and quantify the improved outcomes of such new approach;

(4)

for Pay-for-Success projects, specify a monetary value that would need to paid to obtain such results and explain the basis for such value;

(5)

identify data that would be required to evaluate whether outcomes are being achieved for a target population and a comparison group;

(6)

identify estimated savings that would result from the improved outcomes, including to other programs or units of government;

(7)

demonstrate the capacity to collect required data, track outcomes, and validate those outcomes; and

(8)

any other criteria the Secretaries may require.

(d)

Period of availability for pay-for-Success projects

Funds appropriated to carry out Pay-for-Success projects pursuant to section 199F(2) shall, upon obligation, remain available for disbursement until expended, notwithstanding section 1552 of title 31, United States Code, and, if later deobligated, in whole or in part, be available until expended for additional Pay-for-Success grants under this section.

199D.

Bring Jobs Back to America grants

(a)

Grants authorized

From funds appropriated under section 199F(3), the Secretaries, in accordance with the interagency agreement described in section 199G, shall award grants to State or local governments for job training and recruiting activities that can quickly provided businesses with skilled workers in order to encourage businesses to remain in or relocate to areas served by such governments. The Secretaries shall coordinate with the Secretary of Commerce in carrying out this section.

(b)

Purpose and use of funds

Grants awarded under this section may be used by a State or local government to issue subgrants to eligible entities as designated by the Secretaries, including those described in section 199B(b), to assist such eligible entities in providing training necessary to provide skilled workers for businesses that have relocated or are considering relocating operations outside the United States, and may instead relocate to the areas served by such governments.

(c)

Application

A State or local government seeking a grant under the program established under subsection (a) shall submit an application to the Secretaries in such manner and containing such information as the Secretaries may require. At a minimum, each application shall include—

(1)

a description of the eligible entity or entities the State or local government proposes to assist in providing job training or recruiting activities;

(2)

a description of the proposed or existing business facility, including the number of jobs relating to such facility and the average wage or salary of those jobs; and

(3)

a description of any other resources that the State has committed to assisting such business in locating such facility, including tax incentives provided, bonding authority exercised, and land granted.

(d)

Criteria

The Secretaries shall award grants under this section to State and local governments that—

(1)

the Secretaries determine are most likely to succeed with a grant under the program in assisting an eligible entity in providing the training necessary to cause a business or businesses to remain in or relocate to areas served by such governments;

(2)

will fund training programs that will result in the greatest number and quality of jobs;

(3)

have committed State or other resources, to the extent of their ability as determined by the Secretaries, to assist a business or businesses to remain in or relocate to areas served by such governments; and

(4)

have met such other criteria as the Secretaries consider appropriate, including criteria relating to marketing plans, benefits to ongoing regional or State strategies for economic development and job growth.

199E.

Grants for Entrepreneur and Small Business startup training

(a)

Grants authorized

From funds appropriated under section 199F(4), the Secretaries, in accordance with the interagency agreement described in section 199G, shall award competitive grants to eligible entities described in subsection (b) to provide training in starting a small business and entrepreneurship. The Secretaries shall coordinate with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration in carrying out this section including in the development of criteria and selection of proposals.

(b)

Eligible entity

(1)

In general

For purposes of this section, the term eligible entities means an entity described in section 199B(b)(1) (or a consortium of any of such entities) in partnership with at least one local or regional economic development entity described in paragraph (2).

(2)

Additional Partnerships

Local or regional economic development entities described in this paragraph are the following:

(A)

Small business development centers.

(B)

Women’s business centers.

(C)

Regional innovation clusters.

(D)

Local accelerators or incubators.

(E)

State or local economic development agencies.

(c)

Application

An eligible entity seeking a grant under this section shall submit a grant proposal in such manner and containing such information as the Secretaries and the Small Business Administrator shall require. Such information shall include the manner in which entrepreneurship training and education will be provided, the role of partners in such an arrangement, and the manner in which the proposal will integrate and partner with local economic development resources.

(d)

Use of funds

Grants awarded under this section shall be used to provide training in entrepreneurship and starting a small business, including through online courses, intensive seminars, and comprehensive courses.

199F.

Authorization of appropriations

(a)

In general

There is authorized to be appropriated $8,000,000,000 to carry out this subtitle, of which $4,000,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Labor and $4,000,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Education. Such amounts shall be used to carry out the programs authorized by this subtitle as follows:

(1)

$7,000,000,000 is authorized for the program established by section 199B;

(2)

$500,000,000 is authorized for the program established by section 199C;

(3)

$250,000,000 is authorized for the program established by section 199D;

(4)

$250,000,000 is authorized for the program established by section 199E; and

(5)

not more than 5 percent of the amounts authorized under paragraphs (1) through (4) may be used by the Secretaries to administer each respective program, including providing technical assistance and carrying out evaluations.

(b)

Period of availability

Except as provided in section 199C(d), the funds appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) shall be available for Federal obligation for the fiscal year for which the funds are appropriated and the succeeding 2 fiscal years.

199G.

Interagency agreement

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education shall jointly develop policies for the administration of this subtitle in accordance with such terms as the Secretaries shall set forth in an interagency agreement. Such interagency agreement, at a minimum, shall include a description of the respective roles and responsibilities of the Secretaries in carrying out this subtitle (both jointly and separately), including—

(1)

how the funds available under this subtitle will be obligated and disbursed and compliance with applicable laws (including regulations) will be ensured, as well as how the grantees will be selected and monitored;

(2)

how evaluations and research will be conducted on the effectiveness of grants awarded under this subtitle in addressing the education and employment needs of workers, and employers;

(3)

how technical assistance will be provided to applicants and grant recipients;

(4)

how information will be disseminated, including through electronic means, on best practices and effective strategies and service delivery models for activities carried out under this subtitle; and

(5)

how policies and processes critical to the successful achievement of the education, training, and employment goals of this subtitle will be established.

(b)

Transfer authority

The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education shall have the authority to transfer funds between the Department of Labor and the Department of Education to carry out this subtitle in accordance with the agreement described in subsection (a). The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education shall have the ability to transfer funds to the Secretary of Commerce and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to carry out sections 199D and 199E, respectively.

(c)

Reports

The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education shall jointly develop and submit a biennial report to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives, describing the activities carried out under this subtitle and the outcomes of such activities.

199H.

Definitions

For purposes of this subtitle:

(1)

Community college

The term community college has the meaning given the term junior or community college in section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1085(f)).

(2)

Nontraditional student

The term nontraditional student has the meaning given the term in section 803(j) of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 11561(c)(j)).

(3)

Secretaries

The term Secretaries means the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education.

Conforming amendment

The table of contents for the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (20 U.S.C. 9201 note) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 199A the following:

Subtitle G—Community College to Career Fund

Sec. 199B. Community college and industry partnerships program.

Sec. 199C. Pay-for-Performance and Pay-for-Success Job Training projects.

Sec. 199D. Bring Jobs Back to America grants.

Sec. 199E. Grants for Entrepreneur and Small Business startup training.

Sec. 199F. Authorization of appropriations.

Sec. 199H. Definitions.