(a) Subject to the availability of funds provided for this purpose by the federal government, local philanthropic or charitable sources, or other private sources, there is created a 5-year demonstration project within the Department of Human Services to provide an intensive workforce training program for entry-level workers and a multi-generational healthy family initiative. No general revenue funds may be used to fund the demonstration project created under this Section. The demonstration project shall be implemented no later than 6 months after January 1, 2019 (the effective date of Public Act 100-806) and shall terminate 5 years after the initial date of implementation. The demonstration project shall be operated and maintained by a non-profit, community-based entity that shall provide the majority of the wages earned by participants enrolled in the workforce training program as well as support services to families, including new and expectant parents, enrolled in the multi-generational healthy family initiative. The total number of participants in the 5-year demonstration project at any one time shall not exceed 500. Participants enrolled in the workforce training program or the multi-generational healthy family initiative shall qualify to have whatever financial assistance they receive from their participation excluded from consideration for purposes of determining eligibility for or the amount of assistance under this Code as provided in subsection (d) of Section 1-7. The selected entity must immediately notify the Department of Human Services or the Department of Healthcare and Family Services whenever a participant enrolled in the workforce training program or the multi-generational healthy family initiative leaves the demonstration project and ceases to participate in any of the programs under the demonstration making the participant ineligible to receive an exemption as provided in subsection (d) of Section 1-7.
     (b) The entity selected to operate and maintain the demonstration project shall be a non-profit, community-based entity in good standing with the State that is located in a county with a population of less than 3,000,000. The selected entity must comply with all applicable State and federal requirements and must develop and implement a research component to determine the effectiveness of the demonstration project in promoting and instilling self-sufficiency through its intensive workforce training program and multi-generational healthy family initiative. The State shall not fund the research component outlined in the Section or any program under the demonstration project.
     (c) Beginning one year after the initial implementation date of the demonstration project, and each year thereafter for the duration of the demonstration, the selected entity shall submit a report to the Department of Human Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and the General Assembly that details the progress and effectiveness of the demonstration project and the demonstration’s impact on instilling the value of self-sufficiency in participants. The 4th annual report shall also provide policy recommendations on best practices for and continued research on facilitating bridges to self-sufficiency. The 4th annual report may also include a recommendation on making the demonstration project permanent upon completion of the demonstration project period.
     The reports to the General Assembly shall be filed with the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate in electronic form only, in the manner that the Clerk and the Secretary shall direct.