261—23.9 (15) Requirements for the career link program. Projects funded through the career link program assist the unemployed and underemployed to obtain the training and services necessary to move into available higher-skill, higher-paying jobs.
	   23.9(1) Restrictions on applicants.
	      a.    	 Applications for training projects shall include evidence of business participation in the curriculum design and evidence that a number of positions are available equal to or greater than the number of persons to be trained. Applications for employment-related transportation projects shall include evidence of local support for the project, including matching funds committed to the project.
	      b.    	 The project length shall not exceed 24 months.
	      c.    	 Applicants may use career link funds for training, apprenticeship programs, employment-related transportation and supportive services, and child care costs. Up to 5 percent of funds may be used for administration.
	   23.9(2) Application procedure. Application forms and instructions shall be available at iowagrants.gov. The authority shall accept career link applications at any time and shall review applications on a continuous basis until all program funds are obligated or the program is discontinued.
	   23.9(3) Review criteria. The authority shall review applications and make funding decisions based on criteria described in the annual action plan.
	      a.    	 Review criteria for training projects typically include:
	       (1)  	 Quality of the jobs available and business participation.
	       (2)  	 Merit of the proposed training plan.
	       (3)  	 Degree to which career link funds are leveraged by other funding sources.
	       (4)  	 Merit of the recruitment/job matching plan.
	       (5)  	 Scope of project benefit relative to the amount of funds invested.
	      b.    	 Review criteria for supportive services typically include:
	       (1)  	 Degree to which career link funds are leveraged by other funding sources.
	       (2)  	 Scope of project benefit relative to the amount of funds invested.
	       (3)  	 Magnitude of need for the project.
	       (4)  	 Local support for the project.
[ARC 2038C, IAB 6/24/15, effective 7/29/15]