§1733. Capacity building, information, dissemination, and replication activities

(a) National strategy

The Secretary shall develop a national strategy for carrying out the activities described in subsection (b)(2) of this section and the replication of programs described in subsection (c) of this section, and shall ensure the implementation of the national strategy.

(b) Network

(1) Establishment

(A) In general

The Secretary shall establish a Capacity Building and Information and Dissemination Network (referred to in this section as the "Network") to enhance the effectiveness of and to strengthen the caliber of services provided through programs authorized under this chapter and other Federal, State, and local employment and training programs.

(B) Administration

The Secretary shall establish and maintain such Network-

(i) directly;

(ii) under an interagency agreement; or

(iii) through a grant or contract awarded on a competitive basis to a single entity, or to a system of entities coordinated by the Secretary, with appropriate expertise.

(2) Activities

The Network shall-

(A) provide, coordinate, and support the development of, appropriate training, technical assistance, staff development, and other activities that will-

(i) enhance the skills, knowledge, and expertise of the personnel who staff employment and training and other closely related human service systems, including service providers;

(ii) improve the quality of services provided to individuals served under this chapter and other Federal employment and training programs and encourage integrated service delivery under such programs using-

(I) where cost effective, interactive communication systems and satellite technology; and

(II) where possible, staff trained in a variety of Federal human resource programs;

(iii) improve the planning, procurement, and contracting practices pursuant to this chapter; and

(iv) provide broad human services policy and planning training to-

(I) private industry council volunteers; and

(II) where appropriate, members of State human resource investment councils and other State councils;

(B) prepare and disseminate staff training curricula and materials, primarily using computer-based technologies, for employment and training professionals and support staff, that focus on enhancing staff competencies and professionalism, including instruction on the administrative requirements of this chapter, such as procurement and contracting standards and regulations; and

(C)(i) identify, develop, disseminate, and provide training in the techniques learned from, innovative and successful program models, materials, methods, and information, by using computer-based technologies for organizing a data base and dissemination and communication system for the Network, and establishing a computer-based communications and dissemination methodology to share information among employment and training personnel and institutions; and

(ii) in identifying such program models, ensure that consideration shall be given to-

(I) the size and scope of the program;

(II) the length of time that the program has been operating;

(III) the nature and reliability of measurable outcomes for the program;

(IV) the capacity of the sponsoring organization to provide the technical assistance necessary for States and service delivery areas to replicate the program; and

(V) the likelihood that the program will be successful in diverse economic, geographic, and cultural environments.

(3) Charges

The Network may require cost-sharing to offset the actual costs of institute training, materials acquisition, or information dissemination. Any resulting income shall be used in accordance with section 1551(m) of this title.

(4) Coordination

(A) In general

The Secretary shall consult with the Secretaries of Education and Health and Human Services, as appropriate, to coordinate the activities of the Network with other relevant institutes, centers, laboratories, clearinghouses, or dissemination networks, such as the National Diffusion Network.

(B) Coordination with replication grant program

To the extent possible, the Network shall coordinate the activities of the Network with activities assisted under the replication grant program conducted under subsection (c) of this section.

(c) Replication

(1) Replication program authorized

The Secretary shall make competitive grants to public or private nonprofit organizations for technical assistance, and to States and service delivery areas for planning and program development, to promote the replication of employment and training programs that are successful in improving the employment prospects of populations served under this chapter and that are replicable on a large scale. In making such grants, the Secretary shall consider the recommendations described in paragraph (2)(B) of the review panel established under paragraph (2)(A) regarding such programs.

(2) Review panel

(A) Establishment

The Secretary shall establish a review panel comprised of not more than 6 individuals appointed by the Secretary who are recognized experts in the operation and evaluation of employment and training programs for economically disadvantaged youth and adults, and dislocated workers.

(B) Recommendations

The review panel shall make recommendations to the Secretary regarding model programs that the panel considers likely to be successful in improving such employment prospects of populations served under this chapter and to be replicable on a large scale.

(C) Considerations

In recommending such programs the review panel shall use the considerations described in subsection (b)(2)(C)(ii) of this section.

(D) Meetings

The review panel shall meet not more than once each year to carry out the responsibilities described in this paragraph.

(E) Conflict of interest

No member of such panel shall have a direct financial interest in or affiliation with a potential recipient of funds under the program authorized by this section.

(3) Applications

(A) Nonprofit organization

Any public or private nonprofit organization desiring to receive such a grant to provide the technical assistance necessary for program replication may submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing or accompanied by such information as the Secretary may reasonably require.

(B) State; service delivery area

Any State or service delivery area desiring to receive such a grant for planning and program development associated with a replication effort shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing or accompanied by such information as the Secretary may reasonably require.

(C) Contents

Each application described in subparagraph (A) or (B) shall contain-

(i) a description of the program proposed for replication and available evidence of the success of the program in improving the employment prospects of economically disadvantaged youth and adults, and dislocated workers, within each such service delivery area; and

(ii) in the case of applications described in subparagraph (A), an assurance that the organization will enter into an agreement with the service delivery areas in which the program is to be replicated, to participate in the replication program.

(4) Grant limitations

(A) Limitation

In any 3-year period the Secretary shall not approve grants for the same replication activities in more than 10 States or communities. During such 3-year period, the results of such limited replication efforts shall be carefully evaluated and examined by the Secretary regarding the advisability of replicating the model program in more than 10 States or communities or for longer than 3 years.

(B) Waiver

The Secretary may waive the limitation set forth in subparagraph (A) for a program if immediate replication efforts on a larger scale are warranted by extensive evaluation of the program prior to designation as a model program under this subsection.

(5) Coordination

To the extent possible, the Secretary shall coordinate the activities assisted under the replication grant program conducted under this subsection with the activities of the Network under subsection (b) of this section. The Secretary shall ensure that information on the programs replicated under this subsection shall be available through the Network.

(d) Management capability

(1) Grants

From the amounts reserved under section 1502(c)(2)(B)(ii)(III) of this title for each fiscal year to carry out this subsection, the Secretary may award grants to States for the purpose of assisting the States in carrying out the activities described in section 1602(c)(1)(A) of this title.

(2) Eligibility

A State that receives an amount under section 1602(c)(1)(A) of this title for a fiscal year that is less than $500,000 shall be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection for the fiscal year.

(3) Amount of grant

The amount of a grant awarded to a State for a fiscal year under paragraph (1) shall not exceed the lesser of-

(A) $100,000; or

(B) the difference obtained by subtracting from $500,000 the amount received by the State for the fiscal year under section 1602(c)(1)(A) of this title.

(4) Award of grants

In determining whether to award a grant to a State under paragraph (1), and in determining the amount of such a grant, the Secretary shall take into account the demonstrated need of the State to receive such a grant, as indicated by-

(A) the number of service delivery areas in the State; and

(B) the demonstrated insufficiency of resources of the State to administer State responsibilities under sections 1531 and 1532 of this title.

(5) Application

To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection for a fiscal year, a State shall submit an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including sufficient information to enable the Secretary to make the determinations described in paragraph (4).

(6) Use of funds

The Secretary shall make available to carry out subsections (b) and (c) of this section any amounts reserved under section 1502(c)(2)(B)(ii)(III) of this title for a fiscal year and not expended to make grants under paragraph (1) for such year.

( Pub. L. 97–300, title IV, §453, Oct. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1382 ; Pub. L. 99–496, §13, Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1265 ; Pub. L. 102–367, title IV, §403(a)(3), Sept. 7, 1992, 106 Stat. 1080 .)

Repeal of Section

Pub. L. 105–220, title I, §199(b)(2), (c)(2)(B), Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1059 , provided that this section is repealed effective July 1, 2000.

Amendments

1992-Pub. L. 102–367 amended section generally, substituting provisions relating to capacity building, information, dissemination, and replication activities for provisions relating to pilot projects meeting the employment needs of people.

1986-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–496 designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

Effective Date of 1992 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 102–367 effective July 1, 1993, see section 701(a) of Pub. L. 102–367, set out as an Effective Date of 1992 Amendment; Transition Provisions note under section 1501 of this title.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in sections 1502, 1602, 1642, 1644, 1703 of this title; title 20 sections 5934, 6194.