§ 32–1685. Establishment of a healthcare training program.

(a) By September 1, 2021, the WIC shall establish a healthcare training program ("program") to fund or arrange for training of District residents in a minimum of 2 healthcare occupations identified in the Partnership's first Healthcare Occupations Report, issued pursuant to § 32-1684(e), which may include one occupation for upskilling of incumbent workers.

(b) To provide training, the WIC may:

(1) Issue healthcare training grants ("grants") to train providers, pursuant to § 32-1603(c); or

(2) Partner with the University of the District of Columbia Community College or Office of the State Superintendent of Education.

(c)(1) If the program includes a grant, subject to availability of funds, each grant shall be for not less than $100,000 per year for 3 years to provide training for District residents.

(2) To be eligible for a grant, a grantee shall:

(A) Be licensed by the Higher Education Licensure Commission as a post-secondary institution, degree or non-degree seeking;

(B) Agree to utilize the training curricula recommended by the Partnership pursuant to § 32-1684(e)(5); and

(C) Demonstrate consistent successful attainment of the following benchmarks for its training participants:

(i) Completion of training;

(ii) Credential attainment;

(iii) Unsubsidized employment in the occupation of training; and

(iv) Retention of employment for 6 months or longer in the occupation of training.

(3) Preference shall be given to grant applicants utilizing an integrated education and training model, as defined 34 C.F.R. § 463.35.

(d)(1) The WIC shall utilize WIOA common performance measures to track program performance.

(2) The WIC shall report on the performance of the program as required by § 32-1622.

(e) The WIC shall make its best effort to use WIOA Title I funds to issue any grants authorized in this section.