Enabling Youth to Access Workforce Training Grant Program.

Existing law, the California Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, establishes the California Workforce Development Board. Existing law requires the board to assist the Governor in developing and continuously improving California's workforce investment system, as specified. This bill would create the Enabling Youth to Access Workforce Training Grant Program. Upon appropriation by the Legislature, the bill would require the California Workforce Development Board to create the program, which would fund supportive services, as specified, that are necessary for homeless youth and current or former foster youth to enable their participation in the workforce development program, as defined. Under the bill, grants would be awarded on a competitive basis. The bill would require the board to conduct outreach activities and to provide technical assistance to eligible applicants to ensure that grants are awarded to qualified applicants providing a broad spectrum of supportive services. The bill would prescribe definitions, duties for the board, and requirements for applications and applicants, including the requirement that applicants agree to provide the board any information that it deems necessary to meet reporting requirements and other grant requirements. The bill would require the board to evaluate how grants awarded under the program address the needs of eligible targeted populations and, beginning one year after the initial award of grant funds, to post an annual report on its internet website regarding the progress and success of the program.