TITLE 56: LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
CHAPTER XII: PRAIRIE STATE 2000 AUTHORITY
PART 5400
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
SECTION 5400.100 SUMMARY AND PURPOSE
Section 5400.100 Summary and
Purpose
The purpose of the Individual
Training Assistance Program (the "Program") is to assist unemployed
individuals and employed workers in need of additional skills for continued
employment, who are willing and able to work but who lack the appropriate
skills to perform tasks in a modern business or industrial environment and who
lack the financial resources to acquire those skills. Under this Program, the
Prairie State 2000 Authority (the "Authority") may issue job-linked
educational and vocational training vouchers to qualified institutions on
behalf of individuals, the redemption of which, shall defray a portion of the
tuition and expenses for qualified educational and vocational training
programs.
 | TITLE 56: LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
CHAPTER XII: PRAIRIE STATE 2000 AUTHORITY
PART 5400
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
SECTION 5400.110 DEFINITIONS
Section 5400.110 Definitions
"Act" means the Prairie State 2000 Authority Act
(Ill. Rev. Stat. 1991, ch. 48, par. 1501 et seq.).
"Applicant" means an individual who has applied to
receive Benefits under the Program.
"Applications" means the applications for Benefits
submitted by individuals under this Program.
"Authority" means the Prairie State 2000 Authority.
"Benefits" means the educational or vocational
training vouchers authorized under the Act.
"Board" means the Board of Directors of the
Authority.
"Dislocated Worker Center" means a center which
provides a wide range of counseling, assessment, training, job search and
placement services to workers and which is identified by the Illinois
Department of Commerce and Community Affairs as a Dislocated Worker Center.
"Employed" means engaged in employment as defined
in Section 206 of the Unemployment Insurance Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1991, ch. 48,
par. 316).
"Fund" means the Prairie State 2000 Fund
established in the Illinois State Treasury.
"Intake Center" means an institution meeting the
requirements of Section 5400.220(b) and approved by the Board pursuant to Section
5400.220(d).
"Program" means the Individual Training Assistance
Program.
"Qualified Training Program" or "Training
Program" means a program qualified by the Board pursuant to Section
5400.210.
"Satisfactory Progress" means satisfactory progress
as defined by a Training Provider in its published manual of rules and policies
or in the absence of Training Provider policy, maintenance of a cumulative 80%
attendance record and an average grade of "C" or better.
"Service Delivery Area" means the governing body of
an area designated as a service delivery area under the federal Job Training
Partnership Act (29 U.S.C. 1511).
"State" means the State of Illinois.
"Successfully Complete" or "Successful
Completion" means successful completion as defined by and in accordance
with the practices of the Training Provider and as published in the Training
Provider's manual of rules and policies.
"Training Provider" means an institution which
meets the eligibility requirements of Section 5400.210(c), and which provides a
Training Program qualified by the Board pursuant to Section 5400.210(d).
"Unemployed" means an unemployed individual as
defined in Section 239 of the Unemployment Insurance Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1991,
ch. 48, par. 349).
"Workplace Literacy and Basic Skills Education"
means those common branch skills and English-as-a-second-language skills that
are directly related to the ability to perform occupational tasks.
(Source: Amended at 16 Ill. Reg. 8529, effective May 29, 1992)
SUBPART B: APPLICATION PROCESS
| TITLE 56: LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
CHAPTER XII: PRAIRIE STATE 2000 AUTHORITY
PART 5400
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
SECTION 5400.200 ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Section 5400.200 Eligible
Applicants
Only individuals who are
Illinois residents and who are 18 years or older are eligible to apply for and
receive Benefits under the Program. In order to be eligible the Applicant must
demonstrate the following:
a) The Applicant must be enrolled in or intend to enroll in a
Training Program which has been certified by the Board as qualified for
reimbursement pursuant to Section 5400.210(d).
b) The applicant has established vocational goals directed
toward the acquisition of marketable skills. (Section 14(b) of the Act)
Whether an Applicant has established vocational goals will be determined by the
Intake Center reviewing the Application. Any course approved by the Authority
will provide training directed toward the acquisition of marketable skills.
c) The applicant has not been issued vouchers in the maximum
amount authorized under Section 5400.310 within the 24 months previous to the
determination that the applicant is eligible for receipt of benefits under this
program. (Section 14(c) of the Act)
d) The applicant will not receive funds for a job training
program under the federal Job Training Partnership Act (29 U.S.C. 1511) for
vocational classroom training or on the job training during the time he or she
is receiving assistance under the program. (Section 14(c) of the Act)
e) The Applicant is either:
1) within a benefit year as defined in Section 242 of the
unemployment insurance act, (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 48, par. 352)
(Section 14(a) of the Act); or
2) unemployed but can establish at least a three year
Unemployment Insurance coverage work history by having been employed as
defined under Section 206 of the Unemployment Insurance Act (Ill. Rev.
Stat. 1985, ch. 48, par. 316) a minimum of 3 years, such employment to have
occurred within 10 years previous to the date of an application for benefits
(Section 14(a) of the Act); or
3) employed, but is in need of additional skills for continued
employment and would be determined to meet the requirements of the Unemployment
Insurance Act to establish a benefit year if such applicant became unemployed
through a lack of suitable work opportunities. (Section 14(a) of the Act)
f) The Applicant must be willing and able to meet any additional
costs of the training under the Qualified Training Program such as additional
fees or tuition costs not paid by the Authority.
| TITLE 56: LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
CHAPTER XII: PRAIRIE STATE 2000 AUTHORITY
PART 5400
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
SECTION 5400.210 QUALIFICATION OF TRAINING PROGRAMS AND TRAINING PROVIDERS
Section 5400.210
Qualification of Training Programs and Training Providers
a) The Authority shall approve educational and vocational
programs and courses as Qualified Training Programs in which individuals
seeking additional educational skills may enroll and for which individuals may
receive Benefits to defray the costs of the Training Program.
b) Training Programs which are eligible to be qualified pursuant
to this Section shall:
1) provide vocational or educational training in
semi-technical or technical fields or semi-skilled or skilled fields;
2) reflect current local labor market needs; and
3) be structured to develop marketable skills. (Section
17 of the Act)
Generally, except for workplace literacy and basic skills
education training, if more than 50% of the training consists of basic
education (such as remedial english or math) of if the training is in
preparation of a job providing compensation based solely on commission, that
training does not constitute vocational or educational training in
semi-technical or technical fields or semi-skilled or skilled fields. Training
Providers may utilize labor market information sources such as the Illinois
Department of Employment Security and the Illinois Occupational Information
Coordinating Council, to demonstrate that programs reflect current local labor
market needs and are structured to develop marketable skills. Any Training
Program approved pursuant to the federal Job Training Partnership Act, or
paragraph C(5) of Section 500 of the Unemployment Insurance Act (Ill. Rev.
Stat. 1991, ch. 48, par. 420), or approved as an apprenticeship Training
Program by the Illinois Department of Employment Security is an eligible
Training Program. (Section 17 of the Act)
c) Qualified Training Programs may be offered by Training
Providers which are institutions located in the State (Section 17 of the
Act) and which satisfy one of the following eligibility requirements:
1) The institution is operated by a public school as defined
in the School Code (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1991, ch. 122, par. 1-3). (Section 17
of the Act)
2) The institution is operated by a public community college
as defined in the Public Community College Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1991, ch.
122, par. 101-2). (Section 17 of the Act)
3) The institution is operated publicly or privately on a not
for profit basis and meets standards substantially equivalent to those of
comparable institutions operated by the State or by public community colleges.
(Section 17 of the Act) In determining whether an institution meets standards
substantially equivalent to those of comparable institutions operated by the
State or by public community colleges, the Authority shall consider standards
as established by the State Board of Education and shall consider factors such
as the adequacy of the physical facilities, the qualifications of the instructors,
and the placement history of the institution.
4) The institution is operated by a college or any business,
trade, technical or vocational school which is recognized or accredited by a
recognized national or multistate organization or association which regularly
recognizes or accredits colleges or schools. (Section 17 of the Act)
5) The institution is operated publicly or privately, but does
not operate as its principal business educational and vocational training
programs, provided the programs offered by the institution are operated as a
distinct unit of that institution, and participation in the program is not
contingent on an individual's becoming an employee of that concern.
(Section 17 of the Act)
d) On a quarterly basis the Board shall publish a list of
Qualified Training Programs for which vouchers may be issued under these
rules. The list shall be kept on file at the Authority's office and shall be
available upon request. Qualified Training Programs must meet the requirements
of subsection (b) of this Section and must be offered by a Training Provider
meeting the requirements of subsection (c) of this Section. In selecting those
programs which qualify, the Board shall consider the following:
1) The recommendations of the State Board of Higher Education,
the State Board of Education, the Illinois Community College Board and other
state agencies or associations. (Section 17 of the Act)
2) The extent to which the Training Program advances the purposes
of the Act.
3) The extent to which the Training Program maximizes the number
of jobs to be created or retained.
4) The degree of need for the skills to be provided by the
Training Program.
5) The demand for the Training Program and the availability of
funds to finance vouchers for the Training Program.
(Source: Amended at 16 Ill. Reg. 8529, effective May 29, 1992)
| TITLE 56: LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
CHAPTER XII: PRAIRIE STATE 2000 AUTHORITY
PART 5400
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
SECTION 5400.220 APPROVAL OF INTAKE CENTERS
Section 5400.220 Approval of
Intake Centers
a) The Authority may utilize Intake Centers to process
Applications submitted under this Program. The Intake Centers shall provide
certain social and administrative services to further the goals of the Program.
Intake Centers shall either provide educational services directly or contract
with outside Training Providers to provide Applicants with educational and
vocational training approved by the Authority.
b) Only those institutions which are operated on a not-for-profit
basis and which offer Qualified Training Programs or have an arrangement with a
Training Provider meeting the requirements of Section 5400.210(c)(1), Section
5400.210(c)(2) or Section 5400.210(c)(4) are eligible Intake Centers. Service
Delivery Areas and Dislocated Worker Centers which otherwise meet the
requirements of this Section are eligible for approval as Intake Centers.
c) Those institutions which are eligible pursuant to subsection
(b) may submit applications to the Authority requesting designation as an
approved Intake Center. All applications shall be submitted on forms provided
by the Authority and shall include information the Authority deems necessary,
such as the name and address of the Applicant, the Intake Center Coordinator, a
description of the area to be served by the Intake Center, a description of
services to be provided, and how the service will be provided.
d) The Authority shall review applications submitted pursuant to
this Section and based on the availability of funds during any fiscal year, may
approve for a period of one year institutions meeting the requirements of
subsection (b) and shall allocate fund levels to each approved Intake Center.
Approval of Intake Centers and levels of funding shall be determined, in part,
by the demand for employment in the geographic area in which the Intake Center
is located, the population of the geographic area, the time frame in which the
Intake Center application is submitted, previous Intake Center performance, the
nature of the facilities of the Intake Center, the placement history of the
Intake Center and the availability of alternative program funds. All funds
allocated to an Intake Center are subject to reallocation upon the Authority's
finding that the funds are not being utilized.
e) Intake Centers approved by the Authority shall conduct
assessment procedures necessary to determine whether unemployed Applicants have
the capabilities required to Successfully Complete a training course or
program. The Intake Center shall specify in its application to the Authority the
assessment procedures it will utilize. These assessment procedures must be
nationally recognized and must measure both aptitude and achievement.
f) Intake Centers approved by the Authority shall provide any
other services described in an agreement to be executed by the Authority and
the Intake Center. Such services may include placement assistance, client
outreach and Applicant interviews.
| TITLE 56: LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
CHAPTER XII: PRAIRIE STATE 2000 AUTHORITY
PART 5400
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
SECTION 5400.230 APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Section 5400.230 Application
Requirements
Applications for training shall
be submitted by individuals on forms provided by the Authority and shall
include information the Authority deems necessary, such as the Applicant's name
and address, the Applicant's employment history and the name of the Training
Program selected by the Applicant.
| TITLE 56: LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
CHAPTER XII: PRAIRIE STATE 2000 AUTHORITY
PART 5400
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
SECTION 5400.240 ON-SITE INSPECTION
Section 5400.240 On-Site
Inspection
During the period in which the
Application is being reviewed and training provided, the Training Provider
shall provide representatives of the Authority access to the site where the
Training Program will be conducted. The Authority shall give notice prior to
requesting access to the Training Program site and shall request such access
only during normal business hours.
SUBPART C: SELECTION CRITERIA
| TITLE 56: LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
CHAPTER XII: PRAIRIE STATE 2000 AUTHORITY
PART 5400
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
SECTION 5400.300 SELECTION CRITERIA
Section 5400.300 Selection
Criteria
The Authority shall review
completed Applications submitted by individuals and subject to the availability
of funds, shall approve the award of Benefits to those Applicants the Board
determines to be entitled to receive Benefits taking into account the following
criteria:
a) Whether the Applicant fulfills the requirements of an eligible
Applicant as defined in Section 5400.200.
b) Whether the Applicant is currently employed and in need of
additional skills to maintain employment or currently unemployed. In the
event sufficient funds are not available to meet all training applications on a
current basis, priority shall be given to those applicants who are unemployed
over those applicants who are employed but inappropriately skilled.
(Section 15(c) of the Act)
c) In no event shall vouchers be issued under this Program unless
funds have been appropriated or otherwise made available during the fiscal
year. (Section 15(c) of the Act)
| TITLE 56: LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
CHAPTER XII: PRAIRIE STATE 2000 AUTHORITY
PART 5400
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
SECTION 5400.310 AMOUNT OF VOUCHERS
Section 5400.310 Amount of
Vouchers
An Applicant whose application
is approved by the Authority pursuant to the provisions of Section 5400.300 may
receive the amount of Benefits established as follows:
a) If the Applicant is unemployed and meets the requirements of
Section 5400.200(e)(1) or Section 5400.200(e)(2) the applicant may receive
benefits in an amount equal to the aggregate costs of tuition, any required
Training Provider fees to reimburse the Intake Center for the services it
provides and required educational fees, such as lab fees, for the
Training Program in which the applicant intends to enroll, all as approved
by the Authority in its arrangement with the Intake Center or Training
Provider; provided that the aggregate value of the vouchers to be issued,
together with all such vouchers issued within the 24 months preceding the
determination, shall not exceed $2,000, except for workplace literacy and
basic skills education training. (Section 15(a) of the Act)
b) If the Applicant is employed and meets the requirements of
Section 5400.200(e)(3) the applicant may receive benefits in an amount equal
to 50% (and in the case of workplace literacy and basic skills education
training, up to 100%) of the aggregate costs of tuition, any required Training
Provider fees to reimburse the Intake Center for the services it provides and
required educational fees, such as lab fees, for the Training Program in
which the applicant intends to enroll all as approved by the Authority in
its arrangement with the Intake Center or Training Provider; provided that,
except in the case of workplace literacy and basic skills education training, the
aggregate value of the vouchers to be issued, together with all such vouchers
issued within the 24 months preceding the determination, shall not exceed
$1,000. (Section 15(b) of the Act)
c) An applicant who has received benefits under the Act, the
amount of which was determined under subsection (a) of this Section, is not
eligible to receive benefits in the amount determined in subsection (b) of this
Section until the applicant is qualified to receive benefits under subsection
(b) of this Section and meets the requirements of Section 5400.200.
(Section 15(f) of the Act)
(Source: Amended at 16 Ill. Reg. 8529, effective May 29, 1992)
| TITLE 56: LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
CHAPTER XII: PRAIRIE STATE 2000 AUTHORITY
PART 5400
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
SECTION 5400.320 NOTIFICATION AND SUBMISSION OF CLAIMS
Section 5400.320
Notification and Submission of Claims
Upon approval under Section
5400.300 of an Application and after the Applicant has been admitted to the
Training Program, the Intake Center which processed the Application shall give
notice to the Board of the Applicant's admission and shall submit a claim for
payment which specifies the name of the Applicant, the Training Program in
which the Applicant is enrolled, the amount of the claim and the total amount
of Benefits awarded to the Applicant for the Training Program. The Intake
Center's claim for payment for reimbursement of the costs of the Applicant's
participation in the Training Program shall be submitted on forms provided by
the Authority and shall be verified by the Intake Center as being unduplicated.
| TITLE 56: LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
CHAPTER XII: PRAIRIE STATE 2000 AUTHORITY
PART 5400
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
SECTION 5400.330 ISSUANCE OF VOUCHERS
Section 5400.330 Issuance of
Vouchers
a) After the Authority has approved an Application for Benefits,
the Authority shall issue a tuition voucher in the appropriate amount. The
tuition voucher shall state on it's face the value of the voucher and the
conditions to be met for partial or full redemption and shall refer to all
provisions, rules and regulations governing the proper use of the voucher and
all penalties which may result in the event the voucher is not used in
accordance with such provisions, rules and regulations. (Section 13 of the
Act). The voucher is to be delivered to the Intake Center which processed the
Application. A copy of each tuition voucher issued shall be delivered to
the individual receiving benefits under this program. (Section 16(c) of the
Act). The Authority shall issue payment vouchers as provided in paragraph (b)
of this Section. The Intake Center shall disburse that portion of the payment
voucher which reimburses the costs of educational training provided by training
institutions other than the Intake Center promptly upon the Intake Center's
receipt of the payment voucher. No payment voucher shall be issued by the
Authority for any claim determined to be qualified pursuant to Section 5400.300
after 52 weeks from the first day of the week during which a claim is made and
for training services which are not completed before 92 weeks after the first
day of the week during which the claim was submitted. (Section 15(d) of the
Act)
b) The Authority shall issue payment vouchers to reimburse
training of an Applicant in an amount to cover one-half (½) of the approved
costs of training of such Applicant upon enrollment of the Applicant in a
Training Program and one-half (½) upon completion of fifty percent of the
scheduled clock hours of the Training Program.
| TITLE 56: LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
CHAPTER XII: PRAIRIE STATE 2000 AUTHORITY
PART 5400
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
SECTION 5400.340 REDEMPTION OF VOUCHERS
Section 5400.340 Redemption
of Vouchers
Upon receipt of the payment
voucher, the Intake Center shall deliver the voucher to the State Comptroller
who shall draw his warrant on the State Treasurer for payment from the Fund to
the Intake Center.
SUBPART D: POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS
| TITLE 56: LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
CHAPTER XII: PRAIRIE STATE 2000 AUTHORITY
PART 5400
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
SECTION 5400.400 RECORDKEEPING, REPORTING AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION
Section 5400.400
Recordkeeping, Reporting and Access to Information
Any Intake Center participating
in this Program who receives vouchers on behalf of individuals shall:
a) Submit periodic documented claims to the Authority for
enrolled Applicants for which partial tuition and fees have been earned as
provided in Section 5400.330(b).
b) Maintain documentation of all earned tuition and fees for
three years and provide the Authority and its representatives reasonable access
during business hours to such documentation for inspection. The Authority
shall give notice to the Intake Center prior to requesting access to such
documentation.
c) Notify the Authority of the Successful Completion of Training
Programs by all Applicants enrolled in the programs offered by the Intake
Center or other Training Provider.
| TITLE 56: LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
CHAPTER XII: PRAIRIE STATE 2000 AUTHORITY
PART 5400
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
SECTION 5400.410 INSPECTION OF RECORDS AND VERIFICATION OF SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION
Section 5400.410 Inspection
of Records and Verification of Successful Completion
Representatives of the Authority
may periodically visit and inspect the records including grades, course roster
and attendance records of Intake Centers or Training Providers relating to
enrolled Applicants in Qualified Training Programs in order to:
a) Verify enrollment of an Applicant in the Training Program.
b) Verify Satisfactory Progress of an enrolled Applicant.
c) Confirm Successful Completion by an Applicant of a Training
Program.
| TITLE 56: LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
CHAPTER XII: PRAIRIE STATE 2000 AUTHORITY
PART 5400
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
SECTION 5400.420 REFUND OF BENEFITS
Section 5400.420 Refund of
Benefits
An individual receiving
benefits under this program who fails to successfully complete a Training
Program in which he or she is enrolled, shall refund the entire amount of all
vouchers paid on his or her behalf unless the Board finds the individual was
unable to successfully complete the training program because of medical
disability, death or undue family hardship. (Section 19 of the Act). The
Board shall make a finding of undue family hardship in those instances where
there has been a substantial change in the financial resources of the family or
where there has been a structural change in the family requiring the withdrawal
of the Applicant from the work force.
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