2023 Colorado Revised Statutes › Title 24 - GOVERNMENT - STATE (§§ 24-1-101 — 24-116-102) › OTHER AGENCIES (§§ 24-40-101 — 24-49.9-102) › Article 46.3 - Work Force Development (§§ 24-46.3-101 — 24-46.3-707) › Part 7 - WORK FORCE INNOVATION ACT (§§ 24-46.3-701 — 24-46.3-707) › Section 24-46.3-704 - Work force innovation grant program - creation - local boards to administer - eligibility for grants - use of grants - grant proposal requirements - other innovation activities performed by local boards - reporting to statewide database

(1)
(a)
The work force innovation grant program is hereby created for the purpose of promoting innovation in order to improve outcomes for learners and workers, including underserved populations, by promoting partnerships and helping prepare Coloradans for well-paying, quality jobs. The state council shall administer the program and shall distribute the money allocated to the program pursuant to section
24-46.3-703 (1)(a)
to work force development boards based on a formula that considers the following factors in each work force development area:
(I)
The share of unemployment claims;
(II)
The total jobs lost and the total jobs lost in the industries most impacted by the public health emergency; and
(III)
Other factors determined by the state council.
(b)
(I)
The work force development boards shall use the money distributed pursuant to subsection (1)(a) of this section:
(A)
To award grants to eligible applicants through a competitive process, consistent with subsections (2) and (3) of this section;
(B)
For outcomes-based or pay-for-performance contracts with grant recipients, consistent with subsections (2) and (3) of this section;
(C)
For new program development;
(D)
To expand access to existing programs;
(E)
For outreach and engagement, especially to marginalized or disproportionately impacted populations; and
(F)
For career coaching and navigation for individuals.
(II)
Work force development boards may use up to ten percent of the money distributed pursuant to subsection (1)(a) of this section for administrative costs associated with performing the activities specified in subsection (1)(b)(I) of this section.
(2)
(a)
An applicant for a grant from a work force development board:
(I)
Must demonstrate that the applicant is an eligible applicant;
(II)
May apply for a grant in partnership with one or more subapplicants; and
(III)
Is encouraged to apply for a grant with partners in order to support transformative strategies focused on systemic alignment with Colorado work force centers.
(b)
If applying with one or more subapplicants, an applicant must identify the specific role each subapplicant will serve and the reason why the applicant and subapplicant have partnered in the application, including how the lead applicant will distribute money to subapplicants and what amounts would be shared among the applicant and subapplicants.
(c)
The work force development boards may partner with each other to administer grants.
(d)
All grants awarded pursuant to this section must be obligated and spent in accordance with section 24-75-226 (4)(d).
(3)
The work force development boards shall award grants to eligible applicants applying for grants for proposals that will build in-demand skills, connect workers and learners to quality jobs, and drive employer engagement in talent development in any of the following areas:
(a)
Supporting work-based learning, skill development, training completion, and quality job placement through the following:
(I)
Providing quality education and training for reskilling, upskilling, and next-skilling individuals who are in COVID-19-impacted households and underserved populations that were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency, which may include entrepreneurship; digital literacy and inclusion activities; work force readiness; on-the-job training; short-term, in-demand credentials; or apprenticeships;
(II)
Building accountable partnerships and systems to dramatically improve outcomes or decrease costs for workers and learners to access quality education and training;
(III)
Providing supportive services and equipment to workers and learners with barriers to accessing education, training, and job placement;
(IV)
Increasing access to career counseling and navigation programs for in-school and out-of-school workers and learners;
(V)
Developing new, work-based learning programs in partnership with employers; or
(VI)
Increasing access to English-as-a-second-language and other career readiness programs that enable equitable access and integration;
(b)
Supporting employers and small businesses to mitigate financial hardships resulting from the public health emergency or providing greater opportunities for communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19 to engage in talent development through the following:
(I)
Increasing adoption of skills-based practices, including incentivizing new skills-based hires;
(II)
Developing or expanding incumbent worker training and work-based learning programs in partnership with Colorado work force centers, training providers, community-based organizations, local education providers, and institutions of higher education; or
(III)
Building new internal pathways for existing employees; and
(c)
Increasing participation by underserved communities, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, people with disabilities, new Americans, ex-offenders, and older workers, through the following:
(I)
Adopting focused outreach strategies specific to underserved communities;
(II)
Increasing partnership with community-based organizations that serve these populations in order to support existing trusted messengers that can enhance outreach; or
(III)
Improving language access, to include American sign language, to ensure outreach and participation.
(4)
An applicant should address the following in its project proposal:
(a)
The need for the project, specifying how and why the project is designed to meet the need based on data and evidence;
(b)
The proposed impact of the project, including how the project will improve outcomes for workers and students or increase employer engagement;
(c)
The partnerships fostered by the project, including the degree to which the project has support from community-based organizations such as local chambers of commerce, nonprofit organizations, businesses, or faith-based organizations;
(d)
The sustainability of the project, specifying how the project will continue after the grant term expires;
(e)
The governance of the project, specifying how the project will ensure appropriate administration, monitoring, reporting, and compliance for the grant;
(f)
The innovation of the project, specifying how the project supports innovative, locally driven solutions to respond to community needs; and
(g)
The equity of the project, specifying how the project will improve education and economic outcomes for underserved populations or communities.
(5)
Each work force development board that awards grants to eligible applicants pursuant to this section shall report information as required by section
24-46.3-706
to the connecting Colorado database to track participants and facilitate an evaluation of the grant recipient's use of the grant award and the outcomes achieved.
(6)
Each eligible applicant that receives a grant pursuant to this section shall comply with any reporting requirements as determined by the state controller pursuant to section
24-75-226
.
Amended by 2024 Ch. 429,§ 24, eff. 6/5/2024.
Added by 2021 Ch. 308, § 3, eff. 6/23/2021.