S. 2642Senate115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Jobs Plus Recovery Act of 2018

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 9:07 PM UTC

The Jobs Plus Recovery Act of 2018 directs the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to create a pilot grant program that links substance‑use‑disorder treatment with job‑training and employment services. Grants go to local workforce development boards (or consortia) that form partnerships with treatment providers, education providers, one‑stop career centers, law‑enforcement or justice agencies, and community groups. The goal is to help people with substance‑use disorders obtain and keep jobs while supporting their recovery.

Key Provisions

The Secretary of Labor must establish a pilot program that awards grants to local boards to run "Jobs Plus Recovery" programs.
Grant selection is based on local demand for services (high rates of substance‑use disorder, overdose, unemployment, etc.), the board’s past performance, and geographic balance.
Each grant recipient must partner with at least one treatment provider, a one‑stop job‑training operator, an education provider, a justice or law‑enforcement entity, and a community organization.
Partnerships must provide: screening for substance‑use disorder, individualized treatment‑and‑employment plans, outpatient recovery care, supportive wrap‑around services, and career‑training and job‑placement services.
Employers must be engaged to learn hiring needs, develop work‑based training, and support participants for at least 12 months of employment.
Administrative costs are capped at 5% of grant funds; outpatient treatment and supportive services each capped at 10% of grant funds.
Grant recipients must submit quarterly performance reports and undergo independent, evidence‑based evaluations of employment outcomes.
The bill amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to explicitly include individuals with substance‑use disorders as a target group for workforce programs.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2042)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

April 10, 2018

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

April 10, 2018

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2042)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

April 10, 2018

Floor Debate

2 members

What members said about S. 2642 on the floor

1 Republican1 Democrat

Sen. Tim KaineD-VA · Apr 10, 2018

Mr. President, the opioid and addiction epidemic continues to devastate communities across our country today. One of the greatest challenges for the 21 million Americans currently impacted by…

Mr. President, the opioid and addiction epidemic continues to devastate communities across our country today. One of the greatest challenges for the 21 million Americans currently impacted by substance use disorder is to obtain and maintain employment while sustaining recovery. For the benefit of our Nation, we must work to implement interventions to improve employment rates among this chronically unemployed and underemployed population in treatment and recovery.

Research demonstrates that alignment of job training and treatment services improves employment attainment, employee earnings, and substance use disorder treatment outcomes, including lower rates of relapse. By holding a job, an individual establishes a legal source of income, structured use of time, and improved self-esteem, which in term may reduce substance use and boost our economy.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is the major source of Federal support for workforce development. WIOA programs provide education and training services to prepare individuals for work and to help them improve their prospects in the labor market through job search assistance, career counseling, occupational skill training, classroom training, or on-the-job training; however, no dedicated funding currently exists to integrate workforce training into recovery and treatment services to enable individuals to secure and maintain stable employment. Participants enrolled in WIOA--beyond core service-- achieve an adult entered employment rate overall of 82%, which rises to 87% for on-the-job training and apprenticeship.

I am pleased to introduce today with my colleagues, Senator Young and Senator Jones, the Jobs Plus Recovery Act, which addresses barriers individuals in treatment face when seeking employment opportunities. The Jobs Plus Recovery Act amends WIOA to empower our primary workforce development driver to better support the needs of individuals with substance use disorders by including them in the definition of an individual with a barrier to employment. The bill also supports partnerships between substance use disorder treatment and recovery providers, education providers, and job services providers, such as the American Job Centers established in WIOA, to improve worker training, employment opportunity and retention for individuals in recovery.

Throughout my time as a public servant, I have remained committed to ensuring our Nation's workforce is as strong as possible. Virginia businesses continue to share their desperate need for more applicants with the necessary skills to thrive in their industries. I am proud to introduce this commonsense, bipartisan legislation to provide critical support services to equip workers with the training and supports necessary to gain and retain meaningful employment.

Sen. Tim KaineD-VA · Apr 10, 2018

Mr. President, the opioid and addiction epidemic continues to devastate communities across our country today. One of the greatest challenges for the 21 million Americans currently impacted by…

Sen. Steve DainesR-MT · Apr 10, 2018

Mr. President, later today the CEO of Facebook will come before the U.S. Senate to discuss Facebook's leak of the data of an estimated 87 million users. As someone who personally spent over a decade…

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued April 10, 2018

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 2642

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 10, 2018

Mr. Kaine (for himself, Mr. Young, and Mr. Jones) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

A BILL

To require the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to establish a pilot program for Jobs Plus Recovery programs, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Jobs Plus Recovery Act of 2018.

Pilot program for Jobs Plus Recovery programs

(a)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Education provider

The term education provider has the meaning given the term institution of higher education in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).

(2)

Jobs Plus Recovery program

The term Jobs Plus Recovery program means a program carried out through a grant under this section.

(3)

Local area; local board; one-stop operator

The terms local area, local board, and one-stop operator have the meanings given such terms in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).

(4)

Peer recovery support services

The term peer recovery support services means a collection of community services that—

(A)

are designed and delivered by individuals who have experienced both substance use disorder and recovery from such disorder;

(B)

are delivered to individuals with a substance use disorder; and

(C)

include peer-to-peer programs, job and life-skills training, assistance in obtaining supportive housing or recovery housing, and other services that contribute to better overall health and well-being.

(5)

Program participant

The term program participant means an individual that is identified as having a substance use disorder and enrolls in a Job Plus Recovery program to receive any of the services described in subsection (d)(1).

(6)

Treatment providers

The term treatment provider—

(A)

means a health care provider that offers services for treating substance use disorders; and

(B)

may include—

(i)

a nonprofit provider of peer recovery support services;

(ii)

a community health care provider, or any other health care provider;

(iii)

a federally qualified health center (as defined in section 1861(aa) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x)); or

(iv)

any other health care provider or health-related organization that treats a substance use disorder, including a provider that offers medication-assisted therapy or a provider listed on the Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

(7)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Labor.

(8)

State board

The term State board means a State workforce development board established under section 101 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3111).

(9)

Substance use disorder

The term substance use disorder means such a disorder within the meaning of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290aa et seq.).

(b)

Establishment of the pilot program

(1)

In general

The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall establish and carry out a pilot program to award grants to local boards (which, for purposes of this section, may include consortia of local boards) to carry out Jobs Plus Recovery programs through a partnership described in subsection (c)(1).

(2)

Applications

A local board desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such form and manner as the Secretary may reasonably require. Such application shall include a demonstration that the local board has notified the applicable State board of its application for such grant.

(3)

Selection

(A)

In general

The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall select grant recipients under this section based on each of the following criteria:

(i)

An analysis of the demand for the Jobs Plus Recovery program in the local area served by the local board, including analyzing demand by determining whether the local board is in a local area with a high annual rate of—

(I)

individuals with a substance use disorder;

(II)

drug and alcohol overdose and mortality;

(III)

illicit drug use and binge drinking among adults;

(IV)

suicide; and

(V)

underemployment or unemployment.

(ii)

An analysis of the estimated performance of the local board in carrying out a Jobs Plus Recovery program, including—

(I)

using key performance indicators to assess the estimated effectiveness of the program, including the estimated number of individuals with a substance use disorder who may be served by the program;

(II)

analyzing the record of the local board in serving individuals with a barrier to employment; and

(III)

analyzing the ability of the local board to establish the partnership described in subsection (c)(1).

(iii)

Consideration of geographic distribution (such as urban and rural distribution) of grants awarded under this section.

(B)

Analysis

The analysis described in subparagraph (A)(i) may include or utilize—

(i)

data from the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;

(ii)

data from the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration;

(iii)

State vital statistics;

(iv)

municipal police department records; and

(v)

local coroners' reports.

(c)

Partnership

(1)

In general

Each local board receiving a grant under this section shall enter into a partnership to provide the services and carry out the activities under subsection (d), by contracting with at least one of each of the following entities:

(A)

A treatment provider that—

(i)

meets the standard under paragraph (2); and

(ii)

is a nonprofit entity, unless no such entity that meets the requirements under this subparagraph is located in the local area.

(B)

A one-stop operator, or other entity with experience in providing comprehensive job training services.

(C)

An education provider.

(D)

A justice or law enforcement organization.

(E)

A community-based organization.

(F)

Any other organization as the Secretary determines appropriate.

(2)

Standard for treatment providers

The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall establish a standard that each treatment provider entering into a partnership under paragraph (1)(A) shall meet based on best practices identified by the Secretary.

(d)

Use of funds

(1)

Services and activities

Each partnership described in subsection (c)(1) shall, through a Jobs Plus Recovery program, provide a minimum of each of the following services:

(A)

Screening services

Screening services, including—

(i)

using an evidence-based screening method to screen each individual seeking participation in the Jobs Plus Recovery program to determine whether the individual has a substance use disorder;

(ii)

conducting an assessment of each such individual to determine the services needed for such individual to obtain or retain employment, including an assessment of strengths and general work readiness; and

(iii)

accepting walk-ins or referrals from employers, labor organizations, or other entities recommending individuals to participate in such program.

(B)

Individual treatment and employment plan

Developing an individual treatment and employment plan for each program participant, which shall include providing a case manager to work with each participant to—

(i)

identify employment and career goals;

(ii)

explore career pathways that lead to high-demand industries and sectors as determined by the State board and the lead State official responsible for the administration of workforce investment activities;

(iii)

set appropriate achievement objectives to attain the employment and career goals identified under clause (i); and

(iv)

develop the appropriate combination of services to enable the participant to achieve such employment and career goals.

(C)

Outpatient treatment and recovery care

Individualized and group outpatient treatment and recovery services for program participants that are offered during the day, evening, weekends. Such treatment and recovery services—

(i)

shall—

(I)

be based on a model that utilizes combined behavioral interventions and other evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions; and

(II)

comply with the standard described in subsection (c)(2); and

(ii)

may include additional services such as—

(I)

health (including mental health) services, addiction services, or other forms of outpatient treatment that may impact opioid use disorder and co-occurring conditions;

(II)

linkages to community services, including services designed to support program participants that are offered by the entities that compose the partnership described in subsection (c)(1); and

(III)

referrals to health care providers, including referrals to providers of substance use disorder treatment and mental health services.

(D)

Supportive services

Supportive services provided to program participants to ensure that such participants maintain employment for at least 12 months. Such supportive services—

(i)

shall include—

(I)

coordinated wraparound services to provide maximum support for program participants to ensure that the program participants maintain employment and recovery for at least 12 months; and

(II)

assistance in establishing eligibility for assistance under Federal, State, and local programs providing health services (including mental health services), housing services, transportation services, or social services; and

(ii)

may include additional supportive services such as—

(I)

peer recovery support services;

(II)

networking and mentorship opportunities; and

(III)

any other supportive services determined necessary by the local board.

(E)

Career job training services

Career and job training services offered concurrently or sequentially with the services provided under subparagraphs (A) through (D). Such services shall include each of the following:

(i)

Services provided to program participants in a pre-employment stage of the program, which may include—

(I)

initial education and skills assessments;

(II)

traditional classroom training funded through individual training accounts under section 134(c)(3)(F) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(3)(F));

(III)

employability skills such as punctuality, personal maintenance skills, and professional conduct;

(IV)

in-depth interviewing and evaluation to identify employment barriers and to develop individual employment plans;

(V)

career planning that includes—

(aa)

career pathways leading to high-demand, high-wage jobs; and

(bb)

job coaching, job matching, and job placement services;

(VI)

payments and fees for employment and training-related applications, tests, and certifications; and

(VII)

any other appropriate training service described in section 134(c) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)).

(ii)

Services provided to program participants during their first 6 months of employment to ensure job retention, which may include—

(I)

case management and support services, including a continuation of the services described in clause (i);

(II)

a continuation of skills training, and career and technical education, described in clause (i) that are conducted in collaboration with the employers of such participants;

(III)

mentorship services and job retention support for such participants; or

(IV)

targeted training for managers, workers working with such participants (such as mentors), and human resource representatives in the business in which such participants are employed.

(iii)

Services to ensure program participants maintain employment for at least 12 months.

(2)

Engaging employers

Each local board receiving a grant under this section shall, through the partnership under subsection (c)(1), engage with employers to—

(A)

learn about the skill and hiring requirements of employers;

(B)

learn about the support needed by employers to hire and retain program participants, and other individuals with a substance use disorder, and the support needed by such employers to obtain their commitment to testing creative solutions to employing such participants and individuals;

(C)

connect employers and workers to on-the-job or customized training programs to help facilitate program participant employment;

(D)

connect employers with an education provider, or a provider of career and technical education under the Carl D. Perkins and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.), to develop classroom instruction to complement on-the-job learning for such participants and individuals;

(E)

help employers develop the curriculum design of a work-based learning program for such participants and individuals; or

(F)

help employers employ such participants or individuals engaging in a work-based learning program for a transitional period before hiring the participant or individual for full-time employment of not less than 30 hours a week.

(3)

Proven and promising practices

A local board receiving a grant under this section shall, in carrying out a Jobs Plus Recovery program, lead efforts in the local area to identify and promote proven and promising strategies and initiatives for meeting the needs of employers and program participants.

(4)

Limitations

A local board receiving a grant under this section may not use—

(A)

more than 5 percent of the funds received under such grant for administrative costs of the partnership described in subsection (c)(1);

(B)

more than 10 percent of the funds received under such grant for the provision of outpatient treatment and recovery services described in subsection (d)(1)(C); and

(C)

more than 10 percent of the funds received under such grant for the provision of supportive services described in subsection (d)(1)(D).

(e)

Performance accountability

(1)

Reports

The Secretary shall establish quarterly reporting requirements for recipients of grants under this section that, to the extent practicable, are based on the performance accountability system under section 116 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3141), including the indicators described in subsection (c)(1)(A), and requirements for local area performance reports under subsection (d), of such section.

(2)

Evaluations

(A)

Authority to enter into agreements

The Secretary shall ensure that an independent evaluation is conducted on each Jobs Plus Recovery program to determine the impact of the program on employment of individuals with substance use disorders. The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the local board carrying out the program to pay for all or part of such evaluation.

(B)

Methodologies to be used

The independent evaluation required under this paragraph shall use experimental designs using random assignment or, when random assignment is not feasible, other reliable, evidence-based research methodologies that allow for the strongest possible causal inferences.

(f)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary.

Amendment to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

Section 3(24) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(24)) is amended—

(1)

by redesignating subparagraph (N) as subparagraph (O); and

(2)

by inserting after subparagraph (M) the following:

(N)

Individuals with a substance use disorder (within the meaning of such term in title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290aa et seq.).