The Florida Senate

414.223  Retention Incentive Training Accounts.--To promote job retention and to enable upward job advancement into higher skilled, higher paying employment, the WAGES Program State Board of Directors, the Workforce Development Board, regional workforce development boards, and local WAGES coalitions may jointly assemble, from postsecondary education institutions, a list of programs and courses for WAGES participants who have become employed which promote job retention and advancement.

(1)  The WAGES Program State Board of Directors and the Workforce Development Board may jointly establish Retention Incentive Training Accounts (RITAs). RITAs shall utilize Temporary Assistance to Needy Families block grant funds specifically appropriated for this purpose. RITAs must complement the Individual Training Account required by the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Pub. L. No. 105-220.

(2)  RITAs may pay for tuition, fees, educational materials, coaching and mentoring, performance incentives, transportation to and from courses, child care costs during education courses, and other such costs as the regional workforce development boards determine are necessary to effect successful job retention and advancement.

(3)  Regional workforce development boards shall retain only those courses that continue to meet their performance standards as established in their local plan.

(4)  Regional workforce development boards shall report annually to the Legislature on the measurable retention and advancement success of each program provider and the effectiveness of RITAs, making recommendations for any needed changes or modifications.

History.--s. 25, ch. 99-241.