The Workforce Reentry Act would amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to create a codified grant program focused on helping people with prior offenses re-enter the workforce. The new Ex-Offenders Reentry Program Start-Up Grants would fund innovative, evidence-based or promising approaches to reentry, with an emphasis on partnerships with employers and alignment with postsecondary credentials. The program would operate alongside existing WIOA activities, using a mix of pay-for-performance contracts and traditional grants, require matching funds for grants, and mandate ongoing evaluation, reporting, and dissemination of best practices. Importantly, it does not authorize new appropriations but reallocates or adds authority within the existing program structure and funding streams. The act sets detailed definitions (who qualifies as an eligible participant and who can apply as an eligible entity), outlines how funds can be used (including mentoring, job placement, training, and employer partnerships, with limitations), establishes performance indicators (including recidivism) and reporting requirements, and requires coordination with other workforce and support services. It also requires a commitment to ongoing non-federal funding after grant periods and directs the Secretary to disseminate findings and best practices to states, localities, and stakeholders.
Key Points
- 1Creation of Sec. 172: Ex-Offenders Reentry Program Start-Up Grants within the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, including a purpose to spur innovation and share best practices in ex-offender workforce reentry.
- 2Funding mechanism: At least 30% of funds under this section must be used for pay-for-performance contracts (up to 4 years) with fixed payments tied to performance indicators, plus remaining funds for traditional grants (also up to 4 years). Priority given to entities partnering with businesses or providing on-the-job or customized training.
- 3Eligibility and requirements: Defines eligible entities (nonprofits, local boards, governments, Native/Indian entities, employers, colleges, industry partnerships, associations) and eligible participants (ex-offenders recently released; with up to 10% exceptions). Requires detailed grant applications including services, evidence-based practices, partnerships, performance targets, and coordination with the local one-stop delivery system.
- 4Use of funds and limitations: Grants can fund direct services (training, job placement, mentoring), outreach to corrections facilities, and coordination with employers; cannot fund direct substance abuse treatment or housing (though coordination for those services is allowed). Admin costs limited to 5%; stipends limited to 15% of funds; emergency uses capped at 5%.
- 5Accountability and evaluation: Requires annual reporting on standard workforce performance indicators plus a recidivism indicator; an independent evaluation within 5 years; ongoing dissemination of findings and best practices; and a 2% administrative/TA allowance to support dissemination and related activities.
- 6Funding authority: Section 173(d) of WIOA is amended to authorize both sections 169 and 172 (i.e., 172’s programs are funded under the same overall authority as existing WIOA programs). The bill also includes a rule noting that it does not create new appropriations.