(1) One
or more work force centers selected by the department pursuant to the grant
program developed by the department in subsection (4) of this section may
contract with a nonprofit agency to administer the program. Work force centers
selected by the department and the nonprofit agency shall develop and expand
programs to provide work force development-related services specifically tailored
to the unique needs and talents of eligible participants. The services may include:
(a) Skills training;
(b) Opportunities for apprenticeship or internship placements, including an
internship that allows for direct entry of eligible participants;
(c) Opportunities for internship placements for a specified and limited time
period as long as the tasks performed by the intern do not replace the tasks
currently performed by a paid contractor or employee;
(d) Opportunities for work placements with businesses or other
organizations; and
(e) Support services, as needed.
(1.5) The department shall collaborate with stakeholders and, if feasible,
develop a grant application form by March 1, 2019, so that a nonprofit agency may
submit one application for multiple service centers effective with the fiscal year
2019-20 grant cycle.
(2) (a) If an internship, as allowable, is not fully funded by the employer, the
employer and the work force center may share the cost of the hourly wage or
stipend for the eligible participant, as determined by the work force center and as
permitted under state and federal law.
(b) Repealed.
(3) The work force centers selected by the department and the nonprofit
agency are encouraged to additionally provide services that include:
(a) Job fairs;
(b) Mentorship opportunities with professionals;
(c) Professional and industry-specific seminars;
(d) Career and professional counseling; and
(e) Counseling on educational and skills training opportunities available to
eligible participants.
(3.5) Work force center staff shall vet potential program participants and
leverage additional funding sources, including the act, to deliver comprehensive
services.
(4) The department shall develop a grant process so that work force centers
may apply for money to administer the program. Each work force center that wishes
to administer the program must submit a grant application that:
(a) Describes the current services that the work force center offers and
demonstrates that those services:
(I) Do not duplicate services currently provided under the act; and
(II) Will complement other services offered under the program;
(b) States how the grant money would enable the work force center to
expand its services for the purposes of the program;
(c) Describes businesses or other organizations it is partnering with to
provide the necessary services;
(d) Explains how the services will be tailored or specifically marketed to any
subgroup of eligible participants, including:
(I) Eligible participants with significant barriers to employment, including
those specified in 38 U.S.C. sec. 4100 et seq., such as veterans with bad conduct
discharges;
(II) Veterans experiencing homelessness;
(III) Vietnam-era veterans who served for more than one hundred days
between 1965 and 1975;
(IV) Eligible participants experiencing addiction;
(V) National Guard and military reserve veterans; and
(VI) Veterans who are not able to enroll under the act or who are enrolled
under the act but could benefit from greater support; and
(e) Addresses any other requirements the department deems necessary.
(5) In selecting work force centers to administer the program, the
department shall give preference to a work force center that:
(a) Partners with an agency that is an integrated service and support center
for veterans and their families;
(b) Is located in the state of Colorado, in order to serve the highest number of
eligible participants;
(c) Has existing programs or partnerships with businesses or organizations in
the community to provide services appropriate to the program; and
(d) Has the capacity to provide a wide range of work force development-related services tailored to the unique needs of eligible participants.
(6) (a) Each work force center chosen to receive a grant shall use the money
for direct services to eligible participants. Each work force center chosen to receive
a grant shall report on the services offered; participation by each subgroup of
eligible participants; the program's success measured through gainful employment
and participation in skills training or educational programs of eligible participants;
and any other requirements that the department deems necessary.
Notwithstanding section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), the work force center shall submit the
report to the department, which shall relay all information from the reports
annually to the state, veterans, and military affairs committees of the house of
representatives and the senate or to their successor committees.
(b) Repealed.
(c) Unspent money available at the end of each fiscal year rolls over to the
next fiscal year to be spent in that year.
(d) Repealed.