2013 Maryland Code
HUMAN SERVICES
§ 5-318 - Job skills enhancement program

§5-318.

(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2) “Children of current or former recipients” has the meaning stated in § 5-304 of this subtitle.

(3) “Former recipient” has the meaning stated in § 5-304 of this subtitle.

(4) “Foster youth” has the meaning stated in § 5-304 of this subtitle.

(5) “Obligor” has the meaning stated in § 10-101 of the Family Law Article.

(b) (1) In cooperation with the local directors, the Secretary shall establish a job skills enhancement program to provide newly employed current and former recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors with training to:

(i) enhance existing job-related skills;

(ii) gain additional or alternative job skills; or

(iii) learn interpersonal, communication, and other related skills.

(2) The job skills enhancement program shall be established in at least three counties, one of which shall be located in Western Maryland, Southern Maryland, or the Eastern Shore.

(c) The job skills enhancement program shall:

(1) target unskilled and semiskilled former and current recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors who are newly employed in entry-level positions that have limited potential for advancement beyond entry-level; or

(2) target job training for former and current recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors for employment in energy and environmental industries and construction, including:

(i) the energy-efficient building, construction, and retrofits industries;

(ii) the renewable electric power industry;

(iii) the energy efficient and advanced drive train vehicle industry;

(iv) the biofuels industry;

(v) the deconstruction and materials use industries;

(vi) the energy assessment industry serving the residential, commercial, or industrial sector;

(vii) the manufacturing industry that produces sustainable products using environmentally sustainable processes and materials;

(viii) the brownfields remediation industry;

(ix) the state of the art septic upgrades and sewage treatment industry;

(x) environmental restoration, including stream restoration, reforestation, invasive removal, and acid mine drainage;

(xi) state of the art storm water installation and retrofits;

(xii) agriculture conservation practices;

(xiii) the green roof industry and green roof maintenance industry; and

(xiv) sustainable landscaping.

(d) (1) Participation in the job skills enhancement program shall be voluntary.

(2) Individuals participating in the job skills enhancement program shall sign a training agreement with the local department.

(e) To be eligible to participate in the job skills enhancement program, an individual shall:

(1) (i) have been a recipient during the 36 months before beginning participation in the job skills enhancement program; or

(ii) be a former recipient, a child of a current or former recipient, a foster youth, or obligor;

(2) have been employed in entry-level employment for at least 6 months before beginning participation in the job skills enhancement program;

(3) provide employer validation or other documentation of employment status;

(4) have limited job skills; and

(5) have limited opportunity for advancement in the individual’s current employment.

(f) The local department shall contract for training services to be provided under the job skills enhancement program, as provided in § 5-306 of this subtitle.

(g) (1) The local department may work with businesses to train and place current and former recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors in positions that meet the requirements of paragraph (2) of this subsection.

(2) Participating businesses shall:

(i) provide employment with benefits paid to employees;

(ii) provide employment that has a defined career path;

(iii) demonstrate the active involvement and financial commitment of the business; and

(iv) provide a match with cash or in-kind contributions on at least a one-to-one basis.

(h) (1) At the discretion of the Secretary and in consultation with the local director, the job skills enhancement program shall be administered by the local department or through the State workforce investment area system under the Workforce Investment Act.

(2) The Administrator of the program under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall:

(i) manage each participant’s training plan;

(ii) maintain a database of appropriate training vendors; and

(iii) compile necessary fiscal reports on the job skills enhancement program.

(i) In addition to any other funds available to fund the job skills enhancement program, the Secretary shall attempt to access funds available to the State under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and any other funds designed to reduce energy use and global warming emissions that would be available for job training in the industries listed under subsection (c)(2) of this section.

§ 5-318 - 1. Couples Advancing Together Pilot Program [Section subject to abrogation].

(a) "Program" defined. -- In this section, "Program" means the Couples Advancing Together Pilot Program in the Department.

(b) Program established. --

(1) In cooperation with the local directors and in consultation with the Commission on Responsible Fatherhood, the Secretary shall establish a Couples Advancing Together Pilot Program.

(2) The purpose of the Program is to assist 100 couples that qualify as a family eligible for the FIP to move toward stable relationships and family friendly employment, for one or both parents of a child who resides with the family, in order to improve their economic circumstances and provide support for lasting family units.

(3) The Program shall be established in at least three counties.

(c) Components of Program. -- The Program shall include, in addition to the FIP requirements for recipients under § 5-309(b) of this subtitle:

(1) implementation of policies and procedures in the local department that encourage increased participation of fathers at the beginning of the process for determining the eligibility of a family or custodial parent for FIP benefits, including temporary cash assistance, unless the Department has reason to believe the father has a history of domestic violence;

(2) development of a local department referral process or integrated partnerships with other local or State agencies through which couples may jointly access programs and services that target economic stability, healthy relationships, and parenting; and

(3) implementation of the Program requirements under subsection (d) of this section.

(d) Training. --

(1) The Program shall include a 6-week participation period during which couples receive education on, and are provided with the tools needed for, achieving success at home, in the workplace, and in society.

(2) With the assistance of subject matter experts identified by the Secretary and local directors, couples shall:

(i) develop a written family-focused career plan;

(ii) learn skills that are required to compete in the job market; and

(iii) attend couples-focused group sessions that:

1. teach skills in employment and financial literacy;

2. aid couples in achieving economic stability; and

3. build healthy relationships.

(e) Eligibility. -- To be eligible to participate in the Program, an individual must be an adult under the age of 36 years.

(f) Funding. -- In addition to any other funds available to fund the Program, the Secretary shall attempt to access funds from:

(1) discretionary grants available from the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement;

(2) Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Marriage grants available from the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Family Assistance; and

(3) any other funds available in the federal budget concerning fatherhood or healthy marriage initiatives.

(g) Reports. -- The Secretary shall report annually to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Appropriations Committee, in accordance with § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, on the effectiveness of the Program, including:

(1) the number of couples participating in the Program;

(2) the number of couples successfully completing the Program;

(3) factors that affect Program participation;

(4) the number of participants who obtain employment; and

(5) for each participant who obtains employment:

(i) the type of employment obtained;

(ii) the number of hours in the participant's workweek;

(iii) the participant's hourly rate of pay; and

(iv) any benefits received by the participant.

§ 5-318 - 1. Couples Advancing Together Pilot Program. (Abrogation of section effective June 30, 2015.)

Abrogated.