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_ 479 Item Details($) Appropriations($) ITEM 331. First Year Second Year First Year Second Year FY2025 FY2026 FY2025 FY2026 Needy Families (TANF) block grant and $9,000,000 the second year from the general fund the shall be provided for competitive grants for community employment and training programs designed to move low-income individuals out of poverty through programs designed to assist TANF recipients in obtaining and retaining competitive employment with the prospect of a career path and wage growth and other supportive services designed to break the cycle of poverty and permanently move individuals out of poverty. The local match requirement shall be reduced to 10 percent, including in-kind services, for grant recipients located in Virginia counties or cities with high fiscal stress as defined by the Commission on Local Government fiscal stress index. 2. Of the amounts appropriated in J.1., $2,450,000 the first year from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant and $2,450,000 the second year from the general fund shall be provided for competitive grants provided through Employment Services Organizations (ESOs). 3. Of the amounts appropriated in J.1., at least $300,000 the first year from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant and $300,000 the second year from the general fund shall be provided through a contract with the City of Richmond, Office of Community Wealth for services provided through the Center for Workforce Innovation. 4. The Department of Social Services shall award grants to qualifying programs through a memorandum of understanding which articulates performance measures and outcomes including the number of individuals participating in services, number of individuals hired into employment, the number of unique employers hiring individuals through organizational programs and activities, the average starting wage of individuals hired, reductions in the rate of poverty, as well as process measures such as how the program targets improvement in poverty over a three to five year period and fits in with long term community goals for reducing poverty. Grants shall require local matching funds of at least 25 percent, including in-kind services. 5. Community employment and training programs and ESOs shall report on annual program performance and outcome measures contained in the memorandum of understanding with the Department of Social Services. The department shall report on the implementation of the programs and any performance and outcome data collected through the memorandum of understanding by June 1 of each year. K. Out of this appropriation, $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the second year from the general fund shall be provided to contract with Youth for Tomorrow (YFT) to provide comprehensive residential, education and counseling services to at-risk youth of the Commonwealth of Virginia who have been sexually exploited, including victims of sex trafficking. The contract shall require YFT to provide individual assessments/individual service planning; individual and group counseling; room and board; coordination of medical and mental health services and referrals; independent living services for youth transitioning out of foster care; active supervision; education; and family reunification services. Youth for Tomorrow shall submit monthly progress reports on activities conducted and progress achieved on outputs, outcomes and other functions/activities during the reporting period. On October 1 of each year, YFT shall provide an annual report to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees that details program services, outputs and outcomes. L. Out of this appropriation, $150,000 the first year and $150,000 $350,000 the second year from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant shall be provided to contract with Visions of Truth Community Development Corporation in Portsmouth, Virginia. The funding will support the Students Taking Responsibility in Valuing Education (STRIVE) suspension/dropout prevention program. M. Out of this appropriation, $600,000 the first year and $600,000 the second year from the general fund shall be provided to contract with Early Impact Virginia to continue its work in support of Virginia's voluntary home visiting programs. These funds may be used to support three full-time staff, including a director and an evaluator, and to continue Early Impact Virginia's training partnerships. Early Impact Virginia shall have the authority and responsibility to determine, systematically track, and report annually on the key activities and outcomes of Virginia's home visiting programs; conduct systematic and statewide needs assessments for Virginia's home visiting programs at least once every three years;