CT HB05497

Requires the Labor Department, in collaboration with the Department of Social Services, state Department of Education, and regional workforce development boards, to expand integrated basic education and skills training (I-BEST) programming to additional regions by July 1, 2015.

Defines I-BEST as a program pairing two classroom instructors—one teaching professional and technical content and one teaching basic skills in reading, mathematics, writing, or English language—to accelerate student progression into living-wage jobs.

Targets expansion to areas with high population density of persons receiving temporary family assistance benefits and participating in the Jobs First employment services program.

Expansion to occur within available appropriations and based on the I-BEST model already implemented under section 17b-112k of the general statutes.

Effective July 1, 2014.