CHAPTER 15
STRATEGIC WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FUND
877—15.1(77GA,SF2296) Purpose. The purpose of the strategic workforce development fund is to provide workforce development regions with funding for the development and maintenance of a workforce sufficient in size and skill to meet occupational demands and for workforce development programs, including the Iowa conservation corps, work force investment program, and statewide mentoring program.
877—15.2(77GA,SF2296) Definitions.
“Coordinating service provider” means an organization formed through a 28E agreement to deliver workforce development products and services within a workforce development region.
“Department” means the department of workforce development.
“Regional advisory board” means an advisory board as defined in 877—Chapter 6, Iowa Administrative Code.
“Workforce development region” means a region of the state designated by the state workforce development board as required by Iowa Code section 84B.2.
877—15.3(77GA,SF2296) Regional advisory board. The regional advisory board approves all projects and grants to be funded from the region’s allocation of strategic workforce development funds. Approved projects and grants must relate to the purposes of the strategic workforce development fund and meet a regional workforce development need identified in the regional needs assessment or similar needs assessment conducted by the regional advisory board.
877—15.4(77GA,SF2296) Regional allocation formula. Allocation of funds to each region will be based on the population of each region as compared to the state’s total population. Funds contracted for eligible activities, but not yet expended at the end of a fiscal year, may be carried forward into the next fiscal year, if nonreversion authority has been granted by the Iowa general assembly.
877—15.5(77GA,SF2296) Youth requirements. A portion of the region’s funding allocation must be spent on youth programs. The actual percentage and amount will be provided to each region in writing annually and will be based upon the amount designated for this purpose in the department’s annual appropriations from the Iowa general assembly.
877—15.6(77GA,SF2296) Matching requirements. As a condition of receiving strategic workforce development funds, each region must provide a matching contribution equal to the amount of strategic workforce development funds received.
877—15.7(77GA,SF2296) Eligible activities. Activities conducted with grant funds must be related to the purpose of the fund and meet a need identified through the regional needs assessment or similar needs assessment conducted by the regional advisory board. The following activities are allowable services using strategic workforce development funds:
	15.7(1) Youth activities. All youth activities must be conducted according to the administrative rules contained in 877—Chapter 10, Iowa Administrative Code.
	15.7(2) Work force investment program. Projects may be conducted which conform to the administrative rules in 877—Chapter 11, Iowa Administrative Code.
	15.7(3) State mentoring program. Mentoring activities are allowable that provide participants with assistance in transitioning into the workforce.
	15.7(4) Other activities. Additional activities which relate to the purpose of the fund and meet an identified regional need are allowable.
877—15.8(77GA,SF2296) Services plan. All proposed services must be described in the region’s annual customer service plan or submitted as an amendment to the customer service plan. The description of each project to be funded shall include the purpose of the project; activities to be accomplished; participants to be served, if any; the service providers and how they were selected; time period of the project; and a detailed budget.
877—15.9(77GA,SF2296) Grant agreements. All grant funds will be contracted to each region through the fiscal agent identified by the coordinating service provider. For fiscal year 1999 only, youth grant recipients, approved by the regional advisory boards, will receive a contract for services directly from the department. This will allow for the timely operation of summer programs during the summer of 1998.
877—15.10(77GA,SF2296) Grant reporting and compliance review. Fiscal agents are required to submit a monthly financial report detailing fund expenditures. Coordinating service providers shall submit a quarterly progress report to the department detailing progress in accomplishing the goals and objectives of each activity funded with strategic workforce development funds. At the termination of each activity, a final financial and performance report must be submitted to the department within 45 days of termination.
Compliance reviews of strategic workforce development funds will be conducted by the department in conjunction with compliance and financial reviews of the overall operations of the coordinating service provider.
These rules are intended to implement 1998 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2296, section 9(5).
[Filed emergency 6/26/98—published 7/15/98, effective 7/1/98]
[Filed 8/19/98, Notice 7/15/98—published 9/9/98, effective 10/14/98]