(a) In general
Every 4 years, the Secretary shall, on a competitive basis, make grants to, or enter into contracts with, eligible entities to carry out the activities described in subsection (d).
(b) Eligible entities
To be eligible to receive a grant or enter into a contract under this section, an entity shall have an understanding of the problems of eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers (including dependents), a familiarity with the area to be served, and the ability to demonstrate a capacity to administer and deliver effectively a diversified program of workforce investment activities (including youth workforce investment activities) and related assistance for eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
(c) Program plan
(1) In general
To be eligible to receive a grant or enter into a contract under this section, an entity described in subsection (b) shall submit to the Secretary a plan that describes a 4-year strategy for meeting the needs of eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers in the area to be served by such entity.
(2) Contents
Such plan shall—
(A) describe the population to be served and identify the education and employment needs of the population to be served and the manner in which the services to be provided will strengthen the ability of the eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers and dependents to obtain or retain unsubsidized employment, or stabilize their unsubsidized employment, including upgraded employment in agriculture;
(B) describe the related assistance and supportive services to be provided and the manner in which such assistance and services are to be integrated and coordinated with other appropriate services;
(C) describe the performance accountability measures to be used to assess the performance of such entity in carrying out the activities assisted under this section, which shall include the expected levels of performance for the primary indicators of performance described in section
3141(b)(2)(A) of this title;
(D) describe the availability and accessibility of local resources, such as supportive services, services provided through one-stop delivery systems, and education and training services, and how the resources can be made available to the population to be served; and
(E) describe the plan for providing services under this section, including strategies and systems for outreach, career planning, assessment, and delivery through one-stop delivery systems.
(3) Agreement on adjusted levels of performance
The Secretary and the entity described in subsection (b) shall reach agreement on the levels of performance for each of the primary indicators of performance described in section
3141(b)(2)(A) of this title, taking into account economic conditions, characteristics of the individuals served, and other appropriate factors, and using, to the extent practicable, the statistical adjustment model under section
3141(b)(3)(A)(viii) of this title. The levels agreed to shall be the adjusted levels of performance and shall be incorporated in the program plan.
(4) Administration
Grants and contracts awarded under this section shall be centrally administered by the Department of Labor and competitively awarded by the Secretary using procedures consistent with standard Federal Government competitive procurement policies.
(d) Authorized activities
Funds made available under this section and section
3162(a)(1) of this title shall be used to carry out workforce investment activities (including youth workforce investment activities) and provide related assistance for eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers, which may include—
(1) outreach, employment, training, educational assistance, literacy assistance, English language and literacy instruction, pesticide and worker safety training, housing (including permanent housing), supportive services, and school dropout prevention and recovery activities;
(2) followup services for those individuals placed in employment;
(3) self-employment and related business or micro-enterprise development or education as needed by eligible individuals as identified pursuant to the plan required by subsection (c);
(4) customized career and technical education in occupations that will lead to higher wages, enhanced benefits, and long-term employment in agriculture or another area; and
(5) technical assistance to improve coordination of services and implement best practices relating to service delivery through one-stop delivery systems.
(e) Consultation with Governors and local boards
In making grants and entering into contracts under this section, the Secretary shall consult with the Governors and local boards of the States in which the eligible entities will carry out the activities described in subsection (d).
(f) Regulations
The Secretary shall consult with eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers groups and States in establishing regulations to carry out this section, including regulations relating to how economic and demographic barriers to employment of eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers should be considered and included in the negotiations leading to the adjusted levels of performance described in subsection (c)(3).
(g) Compliance with single audit requirements; related requirement
Grants made and contracts entered into under this section shall be subject to the requirements of chapter 75 of subtitle V of title 31, and charging of costs under this section shall be subject to appropriate circulars issued by the Office of Management and Budget.
(h) Funding allocation
From the funds appropriated and made available to carry out this section, the Secretary shall reserve not more than 1 percent for discretionary purposes, such as providing technical assistance to eligible entities.
(i) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers
The term "eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers" means individuals who are eligible migrant farmworkers or are eligible seasonal farmworkers.
(2) Eligible migrant farmworker
The term "eligible migrant farmworker" means—
(A) an eligible seasonal farmworker described in paragraph (3)(A) whose agricultural labor requires travel to a job site such that the farmworker is unable to return to a permanent place of residence within the same day; and
(B) a dependent of the farmworker described in subparagraph (A).
(3) Eligible seasonal farmworker
The term "eligible seasonal farmworker" means—
(A) a low-income individual who—
(i) for 12 consecutive months out of the 24 months prior to application for the program involved, has been primarily employed in agricultural or fish farming labor that is characterized by chronic unemployment or underemployment; and
(ii) faces multiple barriers to economic self-sufficiency; and
(B) a dependent of the person described in subparagraph (A).