Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 112 Part 2.djvu/150

 112 STAT. 1034 PUBLIC LAW 105-220—AUG. 7, 1998 (II) to review and designate exemplary and promising programs under this section, (ii) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS. — The Secretary is authorized to use funds provided under this section to carry out peer review activities under this subparagraph. (D) PRIORITY. —In awarding grants or contracts under this subsection, priority shall be provided to entities with nationally recognized expertise in the methods, techniques, and knowledge of workforce investment activities and shall include appropriate time limits, established by the Secretary, for the duration of such projects, (d) DISLOCATED WORKER PROJECTS.— Of the amount made available pursuant to section 132(a)(2)(A) for any program year, the Secretary shall use not more than 10 percent of such amount to carry out demonstration and pilot projects, multiservice projects, and multistate projects, relating to the employment and training needs of dislocated workers. Of the requirements of this section, such projects shall be subject only to the provisions relating to review and evaluation of applications under subsection (c)(4)(C). Such projects may include demonstration and pilot projects relating to promoting self-employment, promoting job creation, averting dislocations, assisting dislocated farmers, assisting dislocated fishermen, and promoting public works. Such projects shall be administered through the dislocated worker office described in section 173(b). 29 USC 2917. SEC. 172. EVALUATIONS. (a) PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT UNDER THIS TITLE.— For the purpose of improving the management and effectiveness of programs and activities carried out under this title, the Secretary shall provide for the continuing evaluation of the programs and activities, including those programs and activities carried out under section 171. Such evaluations shall address— (1) the general effectiveness of such programs and activities in relation to their cost, including the extent to which the programs and activities— (A) improve the employment competencies of participants in comparison to comparably-situated individuals who did not participate in such programs and activities; and (B) to the extent feasible, increase the level of total employment over the level that would have existed in the absence of such programs and activities; (2) the effectiveness of the performance measures relating to such programs and activities; (3) the effectiveness of the structure and mechanisms for delivery of services through such programs and activities; (4) the impact of the programs and activities on the community and partieipants involved; (5) the impact of such programs and activities on related programs and activities; (6) the extent to which such programs and activities meet the needs of various demographic groups; and (7) such other factors as may be appropriate.

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