(1) As used in this section:

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(a) ‘Community-based organization’ includes:

(A) Nonprofit organizations that are representative of a particular community or specific segments of a community and that are located within or in close proximity to the community served by the organization; and

(B) Culturally specific organizations.

(b) ‘Community college’ has the meaning given that term in ORS § 341.005.

(c) ‘Culturally specific organization’ means an organization that serves a particular cultural community, that is primarily staffed and led by members of that community and that demonstrates intimate knowledge of the lived experience of that community, including, but not limited to:

(A) The impact of racism or discrimination on the community;

(B) Specific disparities in access to services and resources experienced by the community; and

(C) Community strengths, cultural practices, beliefs and traditions.

(d) ‘Local workforce development board’ has the meaning given that term in ORS § 660.300.

(e) ‘Priority populations’ has the meaning given that term in ORS § 660.300.

(f) ‘Self-sufficiency standard’ means a measure of income adequacy, calculated for each county in this state, that is based on the costs of basic needs of working families of various sizes and compositions, including, but not limited to, food, housing, child care, transportation and health care, plus taxes and tax credits, and that describes the amount of income that is needed for a family to cover such costs without public or private assistance.

(2) There is established a program in the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for the purpose of making grants to community colleges for the development of post-secondary career pathway training programs that provide individuals from priority populations with opportunities to obtain the necessary skills for securing a job or career advancement in high-wage, high-demand industries and occupations.

(3) At a minimum, a post-secondary career pathway training program developed under this section must:

(a) Provide support for program participants to:

(A) Successfully complete the program;

(B) Earn a certificate, credential or degree recognized by a targeted industry sector; and

(C) Successfully obtain employment and receive income that is on a clearly defined pathway to meet the self-sufficiency standard for the particular county within which the program participant is employed; and

(b) Reduce disparities experienced by priority populations in securing gainful employment or obtaining career advancement.

(4) A recipient of grant moneys under this section may use the funds to:

(a) Connect with priority populations to provide meaningful access to the post-secondary career pathway training programs developed under this section;

(b) Collaborate with community-based organizations, kindergarten through grade 12 schools, local workforce development boards, employers, workforce education and training providers and other workforce development organizations to achieve the fullest possible participation in the post-secondary career pathway training programs;

(c) Employ a rigorous assessment strategy to determine the efficacy of the programs;

(d) Procure up-to-date training equipment, technology and other supplies to provide a modernized training experience for program participants; and

(e) Identify opportunities to leverage the use of other funding sources, including opportunities to leverage matching federal funds.

(5) The commission shall determine the process for applying for grants under this section, the standards and criteria for awarding grants and the general terms and conditions of the grants.

(6) To be eligible to receive a grant award under this section, a community college must demonstrate, in an application to the commission, that the community college has the ability to effectively engage with and respond to the needs of individuals from priority populations.

(7) The commission may adopt rules necessary to implement the provisions of this section. [2022 c.28 § 4]

660.390 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS Chapter 660 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.