HF4128

Purpose

To authorize a one-time appropriation of 130,000 in fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development for a grant to New Pathways in Cambridge. The grant supports preemployment and job readiness programming for families with children experiencing homelessness.

Main Provisions

• Funding: Provides a one-time appropriation of 130,000 in FY2027 from the workforce development fund.
• Recipient and Location: Grants funding to New Pathways located in Cambridge.
• Program Goals: Support preemployment and job readiness activities for families with children experiencing homelessness.
• Program Activities: May be used for individualized employment preparation, resume and job application assistance, interview readiness, and connections to local employers and training programs.
• Support Services: Programming must help parents overcome barriers to employment while working toward stable housing and self-sufficiency, and include case management, family education, and partnerships with community resources.
• Oversight: Administration and distribution of the grant are handled by the commissioner of employment and economic development.
• Duration: The appropriation is explicitly described as onetime (not ongoing).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces a new, one-time funding allocation from the Workforce Development Fund to support a grant program for New Pathways in Cambridge.
• Expands the use of workforce development funds to include targeted employment and supportive services for families with children experiencing homelessness, focusing on employment readiness and related wraparound services (case management, family education, and community partnerships).

Additional Context

• Fiscal year reference: The funding is designated for FY2027.
• Key entities: New Pathways (recipient), Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development (administrative authority).

Relevant Terms

• workforce development fund
• commissioner of employment and economic development
• New Pathways
• Cambridge
• preemployment
• job readiness
• families with children experiencing homelessness
• individualized employment preparation
• resume and job application assistance
• interview readiness
• connections to local employers and training programs
• case management
• family education
• partnerships with community resources
• one-time appropriation
• fiscal year 2027
• grant
• employment and economic development