To promote job retention and to enable upward job advancement into higher skilled, higher paying employment, the state board and the local workforce development boards may assemble a list of programs and courses offered by postsecondary educational institutions which may be available to participants who have become employed to promote job retention and advancement.(1) The state board may establish Retention Incentive Training Accounts (RITAs) to use Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) block grant funds specifically appropriated for this purpose. RITAs must complement the Individual Training Account required by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Pub. L. No. 113-128.
(2) RITAs may pay for tuition, fees, educational materials, coaching and mentoring, performance incentives, transportation to and from courses, child care costs during education courses, and other such costs as the local workforce development boards determine are necessary to effect successful job retention and advancement.
(3) Local workforce development boards shall retain only those courses that continue to meet their performance standards as established in their local plan.
(4) Local workforce development boards shall report annually to the Legislature on the measurable retention and advancement success of each program provider and the effectiveness of RITAs, making recommendations for any needed changes or modifications.
