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90_HB2078
New Act
Creates the Work-Focused Training Program. Provides that
the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs shall
administer a 2 year demonstration program to begin January 1,
1998, through contract with another entity, to train welfare
recipients and recent welfare recipients in the skill of
baking bread for sale in order to assist them in the
transition from welfare to work. Provides that the program
shall include a strong educational emphasis, including
aspects of math, science, and technology. Requires an
evaluative report to be submitted by the Department to the
four legislative leaders and the Governor by January 31,
2000. Effective immediately.
LRB9004940SMdvB
LRB9004940SMdvB
1 AN ACT regarding a work training program for welfare
2 recipients.
3 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
4 represented in the General Assembly:
5 Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
6 Work-Focused Training Program Act.
7 Section 5. Purpose. The purpose of the Work-Focused
8 Training Program is to use available Illinois resources to
9 prepare welfare recipients for the transition from welfare to
10 work. Illinois is a major source of basic ingredients for
11 production of food stocks. Surplus baking equipment is
12 available through government agencies. This program brings
13 together these aspects to teach welfare recipients the skill
14 of baking bread, using experienced mentors in the field who
15 are available locally. The prospects for job placement in
16 the private sector are very good for properly trained
17 workers. Some of the cost of the training program can be
18 offset by selling the bread to schools, prisons, homes for
19 the elderly, private citizens, and others. The program may
20 be run as a partnership between the Work-Focused Training
21 Program and schools, hospitals, and others.
22 Section 10. Definition. As used in this Act:
23 "Department" means the Department of Commerce and
24 Community Affairs.
25 Section 15. Administration of the program. The
26 Department shall administer The Work-Focused Training Program
27 as a 2-year demonstration project, to begin January 1, 1998
28 and terminate December 31, 2000.
29 The program shall be operated by an entity chosen by the
-2- LRB9004940SMdvB
1 Department after it issues a request for proposals. A
2 request for proposals must be extended to a sufficient number
3 of prospective providers of the required services or
4 prospective bidders to assure that public interest in
5 competition is adequately served. The request for proposals
6 shall include all of the following:
7 (1) The name, address, title, and phone number of a
8 contact person.
9 (2) Notice indicating that the Department is requesting
10 qualified providers to propose plans for operating the
11 Work-Focused Training Program and describing the program.
12 (3) The date and time by which, and the place where
13 proposals must be received.
14 (4) The evaluation criteria for assessing the proposals.
15 (5) Any other stipulations and clarifications the
16 Department may require.
17 Section 20. Components of the Program. The Work-Focused
18 Training Program shall train welfare recipients and recent
19 welfare recipients in the skill of baking bread for sale.
20 The Department shall determine who is eligible to participate
21 in the program by rule. The bread produced by participants
22 in the program shall be sold to offset the costs of operating
23 the program.
24 The entity that operates the program shall place a strong
25 emphasis on education, and have a demonstrated capability in
26 curriculum and instruction. Research in curriculum and
27 instruction indicates that persons are afraid of failing in a
28 formal educational setting. It has been observed that these
29 persons can often be better reached through hands-on
30 demonstration of the use of math, science, and technology.
31 In its proposal to operate the program an applicant shall
32 include:
33 (1) Evidence of a demonstrated capability in curriculum
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1 and instruction.
2 (2) A proposed curriculum for the program, including a
3 demonstrated incorporation of aspects of math, science, and
4 technology.
5 (3) A description of the proposed site for operation of
6 the program.
7 (4) A proposed budget for the start-up and annual
8 operation of the program.
9 (5) The expected number of participants in the program.
10 (6) A plan to make the program a self-sustaining
11 program.
12 (7) A plan for how to expand the program Statewide.
13 (8) Proposals to fund the program, including funding
14 from government and other sources.
15 Section 25. Evaluation. The Department shall submit a
16 report by January 31, 2000 to the General Assembly and the
17 Governor which evaluates the Work-Focused
18 Demonstration-Program's success in creating a curriculum that
19 is work-focused, including the following:
20 (1) The curriculum used in the program.
21 (2) How many people participated in the program, and of
22 those, how many went on to obtain permanent employment.
23 (3) Whether the program became self-sustaining, or could
24 become self-sustaining.
25 (4) The overall success of the program in meeting its
26 goal of assisting welfare recipients and recent welfare
27 recipients in the transition from welfare to work.
28 (5) Whether the program can be extended throughout the
29 State.
30 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
31 becoming law.