Pathways to Health Careers Act

To amend title XX of the Social Security Act to provide a pathway to health careers through health profession opportunity grants. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Pathways to Health Careers Act 2. Pathways to Health Careers Effective October 1, 2021, title XX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397–1397n–13) is amended by adding at the end the following: D Career pathways through health profession opportunity grants 2071. Career pathways through health profession opportunity grants (a) Application requirements An eligible entity desiring a grant under this section for a project shall submit to the Secretary an application for the grant, that includes the following: (1) A description of how the applicant will use a career pathways approach to train eligible individuals for health professions that will put eligible individuals on a career path to an occupation that pays well, under the project. (2) A description of the adult basic education and literacy activities, work readiness activities, training activities, and case management and career coaching services that the applicant will use to assist eligible individuals to gain work experience, connection to employers, and job placement, and a description of the plan for recruiting, hiring, and training staff to provide the case management, mentoring, and career coaching services, under the project directly or through local governmental, apprenticeship, educational, or charitable institutions. (3) A demonstration that the applicant has experience working with low-income populations, or a description of the plan of the applicant to work with a partner organization that has the experience. (4) A plan for providing post-employment support and ongoing training as part of a career pathway under the project. (5) A description of the support services that the applicant will provide under the project, including a plan for how child care and transportation support services will be guaranteed and, if the applicant will provide a cash stipend or wage supplement, how the stipend or supplement would be calculated and distributed. (6) A certification by the applicant that the project development included— (A) consultation or commitment to consult with a local workforce development board; (B) consideration of registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship models; (C) consideration of career pathway programs in the State in which the project is to be conducted; and (D) a review of the State plan under section 102 or 103 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. (7) A description of the availability and relevance of recent labor market information and other pertinent evidence of in-demand jobs or worker shortages. (8) A certification that the applicant will directly provide or contract for the training services described in the application. (9) A commitment by the applicant that, if the grant is made to the applicant, the applicant will— (A) during the planning period for the project, provide the Secretary with any information needed by the Secretary to establish adequate data reporting and administrative structure for the project; (B) hire a person to direct the project not later than the end of the planning period applicable to the project; (C) accept all technical assistance offered by the Secretary with respect to the grant; (D) participate in peer technical assistance conferences as are regularly scheduled by the Secretary; and (E) provide all data required by the Secretary under subsection (g). (b) Additional application element In considering applications for a grant under this section, the Secretary shall require qualified applicants to have at least 1 of the following application elements— (1) applications submitted by applicants to whom a grant was made under this section or any predecessor to this section; (2) applications submitted by applicants who have business and community partners in each of the following categories: (A) State and local government agencies and social service providers, including a State or local entity that administers a State program funded under part A of this title; (B) institutions of higher education, apprenticeship programs, and local workforce development boards; and (C) health care employers, health care industry or sector partnerships, labor unions, and labor-management partnerships; (3) applications that include opportunities for mentoring or peer support, and make career coaching available, as part of the case management plan; (4) applications which describe a project that will serve a rural area in which— (A) the community in which the individuals to be enrolled in the project reside is located; (B) the project will be conducted; or (C) an employer partnership that has committed to hiring individuals who successfully complete all activities under the project is located; (5) applications that include a commitment to providing project participants with a cash stipend or wage supplement; and (6) applications which have an emergency cash fund to assist project participants financially in emergency situations. (c) Grants (1) Competitive grants (A) Grant authority (i) In general The Secretary shall make a grant in accordance with this paragraph to an eligible entity whose application for the grant is approved by the Secretary, to conduct a project designed to train low-income individuals for allied health professions, health information technology, physician assistants, nursing assistants, registered nurse, advanced practice nurse, and other professions considered part of a health care career pathway model. (ii) Guarantee of grantees in each state and the district of columbia For each grant cycle, the Secretary shall award a grant under this paragraph to at least 2 eligible entities in each State that is not a territory, to the extent there are a sufficient number of applications that have a high likelihood of success and that are submitted by the entities that meet the requirements applicable with respect to such a grant. If, for a grant cycle, there are fewer than 2 such eligible entities in a State that have submitted applications with a high likelihood of success, the Secretary shall identify qualified eligible applicants located elsewhere, that are otherwise approved but un-funded, and issue a Substitution of Grant and tailored technical assistance. In the preceding sentence, the term issue a Substitution of Grant (B) Guarantee of grants for indian populations The Secretary shall award a grant under this paragraph to at least 10 eligible entities that are an Indian tribe, a tribal organization, or a tribal college or university, to the extent there are a sufficient number of applications submitted by the entities that meet the requirements applicable with respect to such a grant. (C) Guarantee of grantees in the territories The Secretary shall award a grant under this paragraph to at least 2 eligible entities that are located in a territory, to the extent there are a sufficient number of applications submitted by the entities that meet the requirements applicable with respect to such a grant. (2) Grant cycle The grant cycle under this section shall be not less than 5 years, with a planning period of not more than the first 12 months of the grant cycle. During the planning period, the amount of the grant shall be in such lesser amount as the Secretary determines appropriate. (d) Use of grant (1) In general An entity to which a grant is made under this section shall use the grant in accordance with the approved application for the grant. (2) Support to be provided (A) Required support A project for which a grant is made under this section shall include the following: (i) An assessment for adult basic skill competency, and provision of adult basic skills education if necessary for lower-skilled eligible individuals to enroll in the project and go on to enter and complete post-secondary training, through means including the following: (I) Establishing a network of partners that offer pre-training activities for project participants who need to improve basic academic skills or English language proficiency before entering a health occupational training career pathway program. (II) Offering resources to enable project participants to continue advancing adult basic skill proficiency while enrolled in a career pathway program. (III) Embedding adult basic skill maintenance as part of ongoing post-graduation career coaching and mentoring. (ii) A guarantee that child care is an available and affordable support service for project participants through means such as the following: (I) Referral to, and assistance with, enrollment in a subsidized child care program. (II) Direct payment to a child care provider if a slot in a subsidized child care program is not available or reasonably accessible. (III) Payment of co-payments or associated fees for child care. (iii) Case management plans that include career coaching (with the option to offer appropriate peer support and mentoring opportunities to help develop soft skills and social capital), which may be offered on an ongoing basis before, during, and after initial training as part of a career pathway model. (iv) A plan to provide project participants with transportation through means such as the following: (I) Referral to, and assistance with enrollment in, a subsidized transportation program. (II) If a subsidized transportation program is not reasonably available, direct payments to subsidize transportation costs. For purposes of this clause, the term transportation (B) Allowed support The goods and services provided under a project for which a grant is made under this section may include the following: (i) A cash stipend. (ii) A reserve fund for financial assistance to project participants in emergency situations. (iii) Tuition, certification exam fees, and training materials such as books, software, uniforms, shoes, connection to the internet, hair nets, and personal protective equipment. (iv) In-kind resource donations such as interview clothing and conference attendance fees. (v) Assistance with accessing and completing high school equivalency or adult basic education courses as necessary to achieve success in the project and make progress toward career goals. (vi) Assistance with programs and activities, including legal assistance, deemed necessary to address arrest or conviction records as an employment barrier. (vii) Other support services as deemed necessary for family well-being, success in the project, and progress toward career goals. (3) Training The number of hours of training provided to an eligible individual under a project for which a grant is made under this section, for a recognized postsecondary credential (including an industry-recognized credential, and a certificate awarded by a local workforce development board), which is awarded in recognition of attainment of measurable technical or occupational skills necessary to gain employment or advance within an occupation, shall be— (A) not less than the number of hours of training required for certification in that level of skill by the State in which the project is conducted; or (B) if there is no such requirement, such number of hours of training as the Secretary finds is necessary to achieve that skill level. (4) Inclusion of TANF recipients In the case of a project for which a grant is made under this section that is conducted in a State that has a program funded under part A of title IV, at least 10 percent of the eligible individuals to whom support is provided under the project shall meet the income eligibility requirements under that State program, without regard to whether the individuals receive benefits or services directly under that State program. (5) Income limitation An entity to which a grant is made under this section shall not use the grant to provide support to a person who is not an eligible individual. (6) Prohibition An entity to which a grant is made under this section shall not use the grant for purposes of entertainment, except that case management and career coaching services may include celebrations of specific career-based milestones such as completing a semester, graduation, or job placement. (e) Technical assistance (1) In general The Secretary shall provide technical assistance— (A) to assist eligible entities in applying for grants under this section; (B) that is tailored to meet the needs of grantees at each stage of the administration of projects for which grants are made under this section; (C) that is tailored to meet the specific needs of Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal colleges and universities; (D) that is tailored to meet the specific needs of the territories; (E) that is tailored to meet the specific needs of applicants, eligible entities, and grantees, in carrying out dedicated career pathway projects pursuant to subsections (h) and (i); and (F) to facilitate the exchange of information among eligible entities regarding best practices and promising practices used in the projects. (2) Continuation of peer technical assistance conferences The Secretary shall continue to hold peer technical assistance conferences for entities to which a grant is made under this section or was made under the immediate predecessor of this section. The preceding sentence shall not be interpreted to require any such conference to be held in person. (f) Evaluation of dedicated career pathways (1) In general The Secretary shall, by grant, contract, or interagency agreement, conduct rigorous and well-designed evaluations of the dedicated career pathway projects carried out pursuant to subsections (h) and (i). (2) Requirement applicable to second chance career pathway In the case of a project of the type described in subsection (i), the evaluation shall include identification of successful activities for creating opportunities for developing and sustaining, particularly with respect to low-income individuals with arrest or conviction records, a health professions workforce that has accessible entry points, that meets high standards for education, training, certification, and professional development, and that provides increased wages and affordable benefits, including health care coverage, that are responsive to the needs of the workforce. (3) Requirement applicable to maternal mortality career pathway In the case of a project of the type described in subsection (h), the evaluation shall include identification of successful activities for creating opportunities for developing and sustaining, particularly with respect to low-income individuals and other entry-level workers, a career pathway that has accessible entry points, that meets high standards for education, training, certification, and professional development, and that provides increased wages and affordable benefits, including health care coverage, that are responsive to the needs of the birth, pregnancy, and post-partum workforce. (g) Reports As a condition of funding, an eligible entity awarded a grant to conduct a project under this section shall submit interim reports to the Secretary on the activities carried out under the project, and, on the conclusion of the project, a final report on the activities. (h) Maternal mortality career pathway (1) Grant authority The Secretary shall award grants in accordance with this subsection to eligible entities to conduct career pathway projects for the purpose of providing education for professions such as doulas, lactation consultants, childbirth educators, infant massage therapists, newborn care specialists, midwives, and other community health worker professions, for individuals to enter and follow a dedicated career pathway in the field of pregnancy, childbirth, or post-partum services in a State that recognizes doulas or midwives as health care providers and that provides payment for services provided by doulas or midwives, as the case may be, under the State plan approved under title XIX. (2) Duration A grant awarded under this subsection shall have the same grant cycle as is provided in subsection (c)(2), and as a condition of funding the grantee shall comply with all data reporting requirements associated with the grant cycle. (3) Application requirements An entity seeking a grant under this subsection for a project shall submit to the Secretary an application for the grant, that includes the following: (A) A description of the partnerships, strategic staff hiring decisions, tailored program activities, or other programmatic elements of the project that are designed to support a strong career pathway in pregnancy, birth, or post-partum services. (B) A demonstration that the State in which the project is to be conducted recognizes and permits doulas and midwives to practice in the State. (C) A demonstration that the applicant has experience working with low-income populations, or a description of the plan of the applicant to work with a partner that has the experience. (4) Support to be provided The recipient of a grant under this subsection for a project shall provide required supportive services described in subsection (d)(2)(A) to project participants who need the services, and may expend the funding on eligible supportive services described in subsection (d)(2)(B). (i) Second chance career pathway (1) Grant authority The Secretary shall award grants in accordance with this subsection to eligible entities to conduct career pathway projects for the purpose of providing education and training for eligible individuals with arrest or conviction records to enter and follow a career pathway in the health professions through occupations that are expected to experience a labor shortage or be in high demand. (2) Duration A grant awarded under this subsection shall have the same grant cycle as is provided in subsection (c)(2), and as a condition of funding the grantee shall comply with all data reporting requirements associated with the grant cycle. (3) Application requirements An entity seeking a grant under this subsection for a project shall submit to the Secretary an application for the grant, that includes the following: (A) A demonstration that the State in which the project is to be conducted has in effect policies or laws that permit certain allied health and behavioral health care credentials to be awarded to people with certain arrest or conviction records (which policies or laws shall include appeals processes and other opportunities to demonstrate rehabilitation to obtain licensure and approval to work in the proposed health careers), and a plan described in the application which will use a legally permitted career pathway to train people with such a record to be trained and employed in such a career. (B) A discussion of how the project or future strategic hiring decisions will demonstrate the experience and expertise of the project in working with job seekers who have arrest or conviction records or employers with experience working with people with arrest or conviction records. (C) A demonstration that the applicant has experience working with low-income populations, or a description of the plan of the applicant to work with a partner that has the experience. (D) An identification of promising innovations or best practices that can be used to provide the training. (E) A proof of concept or demonstration that the applicant has done sufficient research on workforce shortage or in-demand jobs for which people with certain types of criminal records can be hired. (F) A plan for recruiting students who are eligible individuals into the project. (G) A plan for providing post-employment support and ongoing training as part of a career pathway under the project. (4) Support to be provided (A) Required support A recipient of a grant under this subsection for a project shall provide— (i) access to legal assistance for project participants for the purpose of addressing arrest or conviction records and associated workforce barriers; (ii) assistance with programs and activities deemed necessary to address arrest or conviction records as an employment barrier; and (iii) required supportive services described in subsection (d)(2)(A) to participants who need the services, and may expend funds on eligible supportive services described in subsection (d)(2)(B). (j) Definitions In this section: (1) Allied health profession The term allied health profession (2) Career pathway The term career pathway (3) Doula The term doula (A) is certified by an organization that has been established for not less than 5 years and that requires the completion of continuing education to maintain the certification, to provide non-medical advice, information, emotional support, and physical comfort to an individual during the individual’s pregnancy, childbirth, and post-partum period; and (B) maintains the certification by completing the required continuing education. (4) Eligible entity The term eligible entity (A) A local workforce development board established under section 107 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. (B) A State or territory, a political subdivision of a State or territory, or an agency of a State, territory, or such a political subdivision, including a State or local entity that administers a State program funded under part A of this title. (C) An Indian tribe, a tribal organization, or a tribal college or university. (D) An institution of higher education (as defined in the Higher Education Act of 1965). (E) A hospital (as defined in section 1861(e)). (F) A high-quality skilled nursing facility. (G) A Federally qualified health center (as defined in section 1861(aa)(4)). (H) A nonprofit organization described in section 501(c)(3) (I) In the case of a project of the type provided for in subsection (h) of this section, an entity recognized by a State, Indian tribe, or tribal organization as qualified to train doulas or midwives, if midwives or doulas, as the case may be, are permitted to practice in the State involved. (J) An opioid treatment program (as defined in section 1861(jjj)(2)), and other high quality comprehensive addiction care providers. (5) Eligible individual The term eligible individual (6) Federal poverty level The term Federal poverty level (7) Indian tribe; tribal organization The terms Indian tribe tribal organization 25 U.S.C. 450b (8) Institution of higher education The term institution of higher education (9) Territory The term territory (10) Tribal college or university The term tribal college or university (k) Funding In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Secretary— (1) $318,750,000 for grants under subsection (c)(1)(A) for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026; (2) $17,000,000 for grants under subsection (c)(1)(B) for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026; (3) $21,250,000 for grants under subsection (c)(1)(C) for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026; (4) $25,500,000 for projects conducted under subsections (h) and (i) for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2026; (5) $25,500,000, plus all amounts referred to in paragraphs (1) through (4) of this subsection that remain unused after all grant awards are made for the fiscal year, for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, for the provision of technical assistance and administration; and (6) $17,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 for studying the effects of the projects for which a grant is made under this section, and for administration, for the purpose of supporting the rigorous evaluation of the projects, and supporting the continued study of the short-, medium-, and long-term effects of all such projects, including the effectiveness of new or added elements of the projects. .

Summary: Pathways to Health Careers Act This bill extends, revises, and funds through FY2026 certain demonstration grant programs for projects to train low-income individuals for jobs considered part of the health care career pathway.