A third-party evaluation will be procured to assist the department in developing a framework, creating surveys, developing questionnaires, conducting interviews, convening focus groups, and drafting mandated interim and final reports to the Legislature.

To support the awarded projects, technical assistance will provide team-building activities, facilitate knowledge sharing, identify course corrections, and assist with developing sustainability plans. The list of eligible activities are inclusive, from basic education and adult education, to on-the-job training, to supportive services as well as the list of target populations. The Breaking Barriers to Employment Grant Program’s aim is to provide services to target populations who are often not eligible for other state and federal programs. In 2021, the California Legislature approved Assembly Bill (AB) 628, Removing Barriers to Employment Act, and with Senate Bill (SB) 129, appropriated $25,000,000 to expand the Breaking Barriers to Employment Initiative (Breaking Barriers) to be administered by the Foundation for California Community Colleges (FoundationCCC) on behalf of the CWDB. In July 2018, the California Legislature approved Senate Bill (SB) 856 (Budget and Fiscal Review, Chapter 30, Statutes 2018), which appropriated $15,000,000 in state general funds to implement the Removing Barriers to Employment Act. The purpose of the initiative is to create a grant program that provides individuals with barriers to employment the services they need to enter, participate in, and complete boarder workforce preparation, training, and education programs aligned with regional labor market need.

In October 2017, the California Legislature approved Assembly Bill (AB) 1111, Removing Barriers to Employment Act (Chapter 824, Statutes 2017), which established the Breaking Barriers to Employment Initiative.

Breaking barriers program gordon graham