Incentive Grants Reward State Workforce Programs
Incentive grants of $29.8 million have been awarded under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), according to a joint announcement by the Departments of Education and Labor. Sixteen states exceeded negotiated performance goals in employment, training and education programs to qualify for the grants, which must be used on innovative workforce development and education activities.
Goals states exceeded, including training, retention in employment, and improved literacy levels, were negotiated under three laws — WIA, the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act, and the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act.
The amount of the grants, available to states through June 30, 2005, is based on total training funds received by each state under the three acts.
Eligible states must submit applications within 45 days of publication of the incentive awards announcement in the Federal Register and must provide a description of planned innovative uses for the funds.
The states receiving awards are:
1. Colorado: $1,138,334
2. Florida: $3,000,000
3. Illinois: $3,000,000
4. Kentucky: $2,074,242
5. Louisiana: $3,000,000
6. Maryland: $1,944,845
7. Montana: $750,000
8. North Dakota: $750,000
9. Nebraska: $750,000
10. Oklahoma: $1,382,134
11. South Carolina: $1,866,263
12. South Dakota: $750,000
13. Tennessee: $2,604,604
14. Texas: $3,000,000
15. Washington: $3,000,000
16. Wyoming: $750,000