Empowering Individuals to Succeed Through Education and Workforce Training Act

## Summary This bill, the *Empowering Individuals to Succeed Through Education and Workforce Training Act*, amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to create a new grant program aimed at helping people complete job training programs. WIOA is a federal law that supports workforce development, job training, and employment services for individuals seeking work. The bill establishes a Support Services Training Fund to provide competitive grants to local or state workforce boards. These grants would cover support services—like childcare, transportation, or groceries—for participants in specific WIOA training activities (sections 134(c)(3) of Title I and 231 of Title II). The goal is to reduce barriers that prevent individuals from finishing training, such as financial instability or lack of access to essential resources. By addressing these challenges, the bill seeks to improve employment outcomes and economic mobility for low-income or vulnerable populations. ## Key Points - Establishes a new grant program: Creates a competitive grant fund under WIOA to provide support services for individuals in approved job training programs. - Qualified applicants: Grants are awarded to local workforce boards, groups of local boards, or state boards collaborating with local partners. - Partnership requirements: Applicants must demonstrate plans to work with agencies administering TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) to deliver services. - Eligible support services: Includes existing WIOA “supportive services” (e.g., transportation, childcare) and expands them to cover additional needs like groceries and childcare outside regular hours. - Grant limits: Caps individual grants at $2 million annually to ensure broad access to funding. ## Impact Areas - Primary group: Individuals enrolled in WIOA training programs, particularly low-income workers or those facing barriers like food insecurity or lack of childcare. - Secondary groups: Local and state workforce development boards, TANF/SNAP agencies, and community organizations partnering to provide support services. - Additional impacts: Encourages cross-agency collaboration to address systemic challenges in workforce training; may increase completion rates for job training programs, leading to stronger labor force participation. *Technical terms explained*: - WIOA: A law helping job seekers access employment, education, and training services. - TANF: A federal program providing cash assistance and support services to low-income families. - SNAP: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which helps low-income individuals afford food. - Supportive services: Resources like childcare, transportation, or housing aid that help participants engage in training programs.