73B-6.001. Everglades Restoration Agricultural Community Employment Training Program

(1) Definitions. For purposes of this rule, the following definitions apply.

(a) “Applicant” means an individual that is seeking a tuition grant under the Program.

(b) “Application” means the Everglades Restoration Agricultural Community Employment and Training Program Tuition Grant Application or the Everglades Restoration Agricultural Community Employment and Training Program Employer-Based Training Grant Application and supporting documentation.

(c) “Department” means the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

(d) “Employer-Based Training Program” means a program that a Florida business is seeking to establish, or has already established, that provides training for in-demand, nonagricultural occupations for employees of the Florida business.

(e) “Employer-Based Training Program Grant” means funding for an Employer-Based Training Program.

(f) “In-demand Nonagricultural Occupation” means any occupation that does not fall within one of the following Standard Occupational Classification codes: 119013; 131074; 191032; 451011; 452011; 452021; 452041; 452091; 452092; 452093; 452099; 454011; 454021, or 454022.

(g) “Program” means the Everglades Restoration Agricultural Community Employment Training Program as codified in section 446.71, Florida Statutes.

(h) “Requester of Funds” means a public or private technical or vocational training institution seeking a tuition grant on behalf of an eligible applicant or an employer seeking to establish, or which has already established, an employer-based training program.

(i) “Training Program” means a certificate or other program of study provided by a public or private university, college, or technical or vocational training institution that provides training for in-demand, nonagricultural occupations.

(j) “Training Provider” means a university, college, public or private technical or vocational training institution, a private training company or private instructor, or a company employee that is qualified to provide instruction that leads to a diploma or industry-recognized certificate.

(k) “Tuition Grant” means funding for an individual to participate in a Training Program.

(2) Eligibility.

(a) To be eligible for a Tuition Grant, an Applicant must:

1. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.) or a non-citizen whose status permits employment in the U.S.;

2. Currently reside, and have resided for at least three of the last five immediately preceding years, in Hendry or Palm Beach Counties; and

3. Enrolled with a Training Provider for an in-demand nonagricultural occupation at the time the Application is submitted to the Department.

(b) To be eligible for an Employer-Based Training Program Grant, the Employer-Based Training Program must:

1. Be conducted within the State of Florida;

2. Provide skills training or retooling in nonagricultural occupations;

3. Lead to employment in nonagricultural occupations;

4. Provide training for an in-demand nonagricultural occupation through a Training Provider; and

5. Secure matching contributions for the Employer-Based Training Program Grant amount sought.

(3) Application Process.

(a) Application Cycle.

1. Unless otherwise directed by budgetary or administrative constraints, the Department will initiate an application cycle to receive applications for the Program. The application cycle will be open for 45 days, and may be initiated by the Department multiple times throughout any fiscal year, based on availability of funding. Each 45-day cycle is the time period during which the Department will accept applications. If the 45th day of the cycle falls on a weekend or state holiday, the cycle shall be extended to the next business day.

2. The Department will announce the Application Cycle by posting a notice on the Department’s website and by publishing a Notice of Funding Availability in the Florida Administrative Register.

(b) Tuition Grant Application.

1. A Requester of Funds must submit the Everglades Restoration Agricultural Employment Training Program Tuition Grant Application, Form ERACETP-01, to the Department. Form ERACETP-01 is available at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10132; effective date (October 2018), which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference and is also available on the Department’s website at www.floridajobs.org/ERACETP.

2. A Training Program must apply for a Tuition Grant on the Applicant’s behalf.

3. Form ERACETP-01 and supporting documentation must be submitted to the Department by either by electronic mail to: [e-mail] or by U.S. mail to: Department of Economic Opportunity, Everglades Restoration Agricultural Community Employment Training Program, 107 E. Madison Street, MSC G-229, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

(c) Employer-Based Training Grant Application.

1. A Requester of Funds must submit the Everglades Restoration Agricultural Employment Training Program Employer-Based Training Grant Application, Form ERACETP-02, to the Department.  Form ERACETP-02 is available at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10133; effective date (October 2018), which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference and is also available on the Department’s website at www.floridajobs.org/ERACETP.

2. Form ERACETP-02 and supporting documentation must be submitted to the Department by either by electronic mail to: [e-mail] or by U.S. mail to: Department of Economic Opportunity, Everglades Restoration Agricultural Community Employment Training Program, 107 E. Madison Street, MSC G-229, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

(d) Application Review.

1. Applicants residing, or Employer Based Training Programs, in Palm Beach or Hendry County will receive priority for funding consideration.

2. Employer Based Training Programs in Collier, Glades, Highlands, or Okeechobee Counties will receive second priority for funding consideration.

3. The Department must review each Application to determine whether it contains all required information and meets Program eligibility requirements. The Department will notify any Requester of Funds in writing if the Department determines that its Application is incomplete or additional documentation is needed.

(4) Grant Administration.

(a) Use of Funds.

1. Tuition Grants may cover the costs of completing a certificate and/or other program of study provided by a public or private technical or vocational training institution. The certificates and programs of study must provide training for in-demand nonagricultural occupations. Such costs include student fees, computer access fees, and other fees assessed by the Training Provider directly related to the Applicant’s ability to participate in and complete the Training Program.

2. Employer-Based Training Program Grants may only cover program costs or be used for purposes that are directly associated with the Training Program or Employer-Based Training Program.

(b) Distribution of Funds. Any award of funds under the Program is conditioned upon their appropriation, availability, and upon execution of an agreement with the Department pursuant to section 446.71(5), Florida Statutes.

1. The Department may award a Tuition Grant for up to 100 percent of the tuition amount requested in the Application. However, a Tuition Grant may not be issued for expenses covered by federal or state financial aid or other grant or scholarship funding.

2. The Department may award an Employer-Based Training Program located in Baker, Bradford, Calhoun, Collier, Columbia, Desoto, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, Putnam, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Wakulla, Walton, or Washington counties an Employer-Based Training Program Grant of up to 100 percent of the Employer-Based Training Programs’ total costs. Eligible Employer-Based Training Programs not located in one of the counties listed above may be awarded an Employer-Based Training Program Grant up to 50 percent of the Employer-Based Training Programs’ total costs.

Rulemaking Authority 446.71(8) FS. Law Implemented 446.71 FS. History–New 12-30-18.