Chapter 1D-i. Jobs First DC Pilot Program.

§ 32–173.01. Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter:

(1) "Digital literacy" means fluency in the use and security of interactive digital tools and searchable networks including the ability to use digital tools safely and effectively for learning, collaborating, and producing.

(2) "DOES" means the District Department of Employment Services.

(3) "Employment retention support" means activities delivered to participants after securing employment that are aimed at assisting participants in maintaining employment with the same employer.

(4) "Grant" means the Program funds authorized to be issued pursuant to § 32-173.03.

(5) "Grantee" means an organization in receipt of a grant issued pursuant to § 32-173.03.

(6) "Participant" means an individual selected by a grantee, pursuant to § 32-173.03, to participate in the Program.

(7) "Program" means the Jobs First DC Pilot Program established pursuant to § 32-173.02.

(8) "Supportive services" shall have the same meaning as provided in 20 CFR § 651.10

(9) "WIOA" means the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, approved July 22, 2014 (128 Stat. 1425; 29 U.S.C. § 3101 et seq.).

§ 32–173.02. Establishment of the Jobs First DC Pilot Program.

(a) There is established a Jobs First DC Pilot Program for the purpose of issuing grants to assist in the placement of at least 300 District residents in unsubsidized permanent employment and to fund 12 months of job retention support.

(b) The Program shall provide participants the following assistance:

(1) Assessment and evaluation of their job history, skills, education, housing, and mental health barriers;

(2) Information and referral to support services, as defined by 20 CFR § 651.10;

(3) Career services, as described in section 134(c)(2) of WIOA (29 U.S.C. § 3174(c)(2));

(4) Resume development;

(5) Employment-readiness skills development;

(6) Interview preparation;

(7) Job search and application submission;

(8) Job referrals as described in 20 CFR § 651.10, to unsubsidized permanent employment opportunities;

(9) Job interview follow-up and feedback;

(10) Employment orientation paperwork completion;

(11) Professional networking coaching; and

(12) Twelve months of employment retention support.

(1) Digital literacy skills development;

(2) Review of credit scores and creation of a plan to improve a participant's credit score; and

(3) Review of criminal history records and creation of a plan to ameliorate the effects of or correct a participant's criminal record.

§ 32–173.03. Establishment of Jobs First DC grants.

(a) Beginning no later than December 15, 2021, DOES shall award a minimum of 2 grants, each not less than $250,000 per year for a minimum of 2 years, subject to the availability of funds, to provide job placement and employment retention support for District residents.

(b) To be eligible for a grant, an applicant shall:

(1) Be located in the District;

(2) Be a nonprofit organization with a 501(c)(3) status, as determined by the Internal Revenue Service;

(3) Have demonstrated success providing the employment assistance described in § 32-173.02(b) to individuals with the characteristics described in section 4145(d), as evidenced by a minimum of a 65% employment placement rate; and

(4) Have demonstrated success providing employment support to individuals for up to 12 months, as evidenced by a minimum of a 70% employment retention rate.

(1) Organizations that provide criminal and credit record review and recovery support; or

(2) Financial institutions to establish individual development accounts ("IDAs") for employed participants, in which the progressive employment retention bonuses outlined in subsection (d)(3) of this section and other savings may be deposited and matched to help participants build assets and achieve financial stability.

(d) Grantees shall:

(1) Select Program participants according to the criteria outlined in § 32-173.04.

(2) Provide participants the services outlined in § 32-173.02(b); and

(3) Provide progressive employment retention bonuses totaling up to $500 for each participant who meets the following milestones:

(A) At 180 days of employment, a participant shall receive $250; and

(B) At 365 days of employment, a participant shall receive $250;

(4) Receive a training outcomes bonus totaling up to $500 for each participant who meets the following milestones:

(A) For each participant that remains employed for 180 days, a grantee shall receive $250; and

(B) For each participant that remains employed for 365 days, a grantee shall receive $250.

(e) Grantees may establish and facilitate a participant alumni group for the purpose of providing participants access to education and training opportunities and to promote professional advancement.

§ 32–173.04. Participant conditions of eligibility.

To be eligible to participate in the Program, an individual shall:

(a) Be a resident of the District;

(b) Be unemployed at the time of application to the Program;

(d) Have one or more of the following barriers to employment:

(1) Lack of consistent work history;

(2) History of a criminal record;

(3) History of substance abuse;

(4) History of mental illness; or

(5) Housing insecurity.

§ 32–173.05. Reporting.

(a) Every 6 months, starting from receipt of a grant, a grantee shall furnish to DOES a report on the following outcomes from the previous 6 months:

(1) The total number of participants placed in employment;

(2) The average starting wage for participants;

(3) The average number of days from official enrollment in the Program to employment start date;

(4) The total number of participants achieving each progressive employment milestone outlined in § 32-173.03(d)(3) and the average participant wage at each milestone;

(5) The total sum of progressive employment retention bonuses issued to participants; and

(6) The total sum of training outcomes bonuses issued to grantees.

(b) Beginning no later than December 15, 2022, and by December 15 annually thereafter, DOES shall furnish a report to the Mayor and the Council of the District of Columbia containing the grantee performance outcomes reported pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.