Improving approaches for communities to thrive (IMPACT) grants

(a) In general The Secretary of Labor (in this section referred to as the Secretary) shall award grants to eligible entities for year-round job training and workforce programs authorized under section 129(c)(1) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(c)), with the elements described in section 129(c)(2)(C) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 3164(c)(2)(C)), for opportunity youth in communities disproportionately affected by gun violence for the purposes of connecting opportunity youth to in-demand occupations. (b) Eligibility To be eligible to seek a grant under subsection (a), an entity shall be— (1) a community-based, nonprofit organization that— (A) serves the residents served by an eligible unit of local government; (B) has a track record of providing community-related activities or support program innovation in communities of color; (C) focuses on training technical skills to prepare opportunity youth for in-demand occupations; and (D) provides— (i) training for opportunity youth who are basic skills deficient; and (ii) soft skills training that enables opportunity youth to engage successfully in work culture; (2) an Indian Tribe or an agency primarily serving Native Americans; (3) an entity that carries out activities authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) that has a focus on opportunity youth; (4) a federally or State recognized apprenticeship program; (5) an accredited community college; or (6) an eligible unit of local government. (c) Reporting The Secretary shall require grantees under this section to report to the Secretary on primary measures funded under this section for— (1) entry into job training, education, apprenticeship, skilled trades training, or other paid and unpaid work experiences that have as a component academic and occupational education programs; and (2) changes in overall school enrollment, unemployment, or weekly earnings for opportunity youth participating in activities of the respective grantee. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Basic skills deficient The term basic skills deficient means an individual who— (A) is a youth and has English reading, writing, or computing skills at or below the 8th grade level on a generally accepted standardized test; or (B) is unable to compute or solve problems, or read, write, or speak English, at a level necessary to function on the job, in the individual’s family, or in society. (2) In-demand occupation The term in-demand occupation means an occupation described in section 3(23)(A)(ii) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(23)(A)(ii)). (e) Authorization of appropriations To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $1,500,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2026 through 2033, to remain available until expended through fiscal year 2033.