Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 660 § 660.380 — Prosperity 10,000 Program; requirements for local workforce development boards;

Prosperity 10,000 Program; requirements for local workforce development boards; wage standards for program participants; incorporation into SNAP Employment and Training Program. (1) The Prosperity 10,000 Program is established in the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for the following purposes: (a) To provide career coaching, occupational training and job placement services; (b) To provide wraparound supports and services that are necessary to facilitate reengagement in the workforce, including, but not limited to, transportation, child care and rental assistance; (c) To provide paid work experiences, including stipends and wages and other income supports for individuals from priority populations; and (d) To support targeted recruitment and engagement efforts. (2) The goals of the Prosperity 10,000 Program are to: (a) Include at least 10,000 total individuals who participate in the program; (b) Improve the capacity and responsiveness of the public workforce system in this state by providing assistance for workforce development program navigation, expanding access to community-based career counseling and wraparound supports and services, and providing opportunities to earn industry-recognized certificates, credentials and degrees through work-based learning experiences; (c) Ensure that services and benefits available through workforce programs are provided to individuals from priority populations; (d) Provide increased access for priority populations to services and benefits available through workforce programs; (e) Ensure that at least 50 percent of the individuals who participate in the program are women; (f) Ensure that at least 80 percent of the individuals who participate successfully complete the program; (g) Ensure that at least 75 percent of the individuals who participate in the program successfully obtain employment; and (h) Ensure that at least 75 percent of the individuals who participate in the program earn at least $17 per hour. (3)(a) The Prosperity 10,000 Program shall be administered by local workforce development boards. The local workforce development boards shall: (A) Distribute resources and available funds to nonprofit community-based organizations, educational institutions, labor organizations and other workforce service providers to facilitate the provision of workforce development services and wraparound supports to individuals who participate in the program; (B) Coordinate with state workforce agencies and other workforce partners to expand regional community-based partnerships that work to support and sustain workforce development services and wraparound supports; and (C) Connect with businesses and organizations in targeted industry sectors to identify training needs and ensure that business needs relating to a skilled workforce are met. (b) An entity that collaborates with a local workforce development board to accomplish the workforce development activities described under this subsection shall, in accordance with ORS 660.327, participate with local workforce development boards in developing a proposed local plan. (4)(a) If an entity receives funds distributed from a local workforce development board under this section and provides paid work experience to individuals who participate in the program established under this section, the entity shall: (A) Notwithstanding ORS 653.025 and subsection (2)(h) of this section, pay wages to individuals participating in the program at a rate that is: (i) Equivalent to an entry-level training wage as determined by the entity pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection; and (ii) In alignment with the wage progression schedule established by the entity under subparagraph (B) of this paragraph; (B) Establish a wage progression schedule that includes the step progression requirements and the rate calculation formula upon which the entity shall make determinations about a participating individual’s eligibility to increase the individual’s wage rate from an entry-level training wage to a wage rate that is equivalent to the average area wage standard for an hour’s work in the same trade or occupation in the locality where the labor is performed; (C) Develop a training plan for individuals participating in the program that includes, at a minimum: (i) The entry-level training wage that will be paid to the individual; (ii) A statement that the individual shall be paid according to the wage progression schedule established by the entity, along with a description of the requirements that the individual must meet in order to progress to a higher wage rate under the wage progression schedule; (iii) A statement that the entry-level training wage paid to the individual may not be less than the federal minimum wage rate or the applicable state minimum wage rate, whichever is greater; and (iv) A statement explaining that the entry-level training wage paid to the individual is a mini