§ 2912. Migrant and seasonal farmworker programs
(a)
In general
Every 2 years, the Secretary shall, on a competitive basis, make grants to, or enter into contracts with, eligible entities to carry out the activities described in subsection (d) of this section.
(b)
Eligible entities
To be eligible to receive a grant or enter into a contract under this section, an entity shall have an understanding of the problems of eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers (including dependents), a familiarity with the area to be served, and the ability to demonstrate a capacity to administer effectively a diversified program of workforce investment activities (including youth activities) and related assistance for eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
(c)
Program plan
(1)
In general
To be eligible to receive a grant or enter into a contract under this section, an entity described in subsection (b) of this section shall submit to the Secretary a plan that describes a 2-year strategy for meeting the needs of eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers in the area to be served by such entity.
(2)
Contents
Such plan shall—
(A)
identify the education and employment needs of the population to be served and the manner in which the services to be provided will strengthen the ability of the eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers and dependents to obtain or retain unsubsidized employment or stabilize their unsubsidized employment;
(3)
Administration
Grants and contracts awarded under this section shall be centrally administered by the Department of Labor and competitively awarded by the Secretary using procedures consistent with standard Federal Government competitive procurement policies.
(4)
Competition
(A)
In general
The competition for grants made and contracts entered into under this section shall be conducted every 2 years.
(B)
Exception
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), if a recipient of such a grant or contract has performed satisfactorily under the terms of the grant agreement or contract, the Secretary may waive the requirement for such competition for such recipient upon receipt from the recipient of a satisfactory 2-year plan described in paragraph (1) for the succeeding 2-year grant or contract period. The Secretary may exercise the waiver authority of the preceding sentence not more than once during any 4-year period with respect to any single recipient.
(d)
Authorized activities
Funds made available under this section and section
2852
(b)(1)(A)(iii) of this title shall be used to carry out workforce investment activities (including youth activities) and provide related assistance for eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers, which may include employment, training, educational assistance, literacy assistance, an English language program, worker safety training, housing, supportive services, dropout prevention activities, followup services for those individuals placed in employment, self-employment and related business enterprise development education as needed by eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers and identified pursuant to the plan required by subsection (c) of this section, and technical assistance relating to capacity enhancement in such areas as management information technology.
(e)
Consultation with Governors and local boards
In making grants and entering into contracts under this section, the Secretary shall consult with the Governors and local boards of the States in which the eligible entities will carry out the activities described in subsection (d) of this section.
(f)
Regulations
The Secretary shall consult with eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers groups and States in establishing regulations to carry out this section, including performance measures for eligible entities that take into account the economic circumstances and demographics of eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
(g)
Compliance with single audit requirements; related requirement
Grants and contracts entered into under this section shall be subject to the requirements of chapter
75 of subtitle
V of title
31 (enacted by the Single Audit Act of 1984) and charging of costs under this section shall be subject to appropriate circulars issued by the Office of Management and Budget.
(h)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
Disadvantaged
The term “disadvantaged”, used with respect to a farmworker, means a farmworker whose income, for 12 consecutive months out of the 24 months prior to application for the program involved, does not exceed the higher of—
(2)
Eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers
The term “eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers” means individuals who are eligible migrant farmworkers or are eligible seasonal farmworkers.
(3)
Eligible migrant farmworker
The term “eligible migrant farmworker” means—
(4)
Eligible seasonal farmworker
The term “eligible seasonal farmworker” means—
[1] See References in Text note below.