Cooperative Agreement 96713301

DESCRIPTION:THIS PROJECT PROVIDES FUNDING UNDER THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT (IIJA) (PL 117-58) FOR CORNERSTONES OF CARE, INC TO CONDUCT ELIGIBLE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE-RELATED ACTIVITIES AS AUTHORIZED BY CERCLA 104(K)(7). THE RECIPIENT WILL RECRUIT, TRAIN, AND PLACE UNEMPLOYED AND UNDEREMPLOYED RESIDENTS YOUTH 17 TO 23 AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, IN ENVIRONMENTAL CAREERS WITH SKILLS NEEDED TO SAFELY CONDUCT REMEDIATION WORK AT SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE-CONTAMINATED SITES, AS WELL AS APPROPRIATE TRAINING IN GREEN REMEDIATION TECHNOLOGIES, STORM WATER MANAGEMENT, EMERGENCY PLANNING AND CHEMICAL SAFETY. THIS CONSISTS OF 180 HOURS OF TRAINING AND SKILL-BUILDING IN 40-HOUR HAZARDOUS WASTE OPERATIONS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION 10 GENERAL INDUSTRY SAFETY, AND THE BUILD TRYBE CONSERVATION LANDSCAPE JOB TRAINING WHICH INCLUDES ENVIRONMENTAL LANDSCAPE RESTORATION, GREEN REMEDIATION, DATA ANALYSIS, CONSERVATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. CORNERSTONES OF CARE WILL ENROLL 60 PARTICIPANTS, TRAIN 50 WHO WILL EARN TWO FEDERAL CERTIFICATIONS, PLACE AT LEAST 25 GRADUATES IN ENVIRONMENTAL JOBS, AND GIVEN THE YOUNG AGE, IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT10 GRADUATES WILL PURSUE FURTHER EDUCATION.ACTIVITIES:THIS PROJECT WILL TRAIN GRADUATES TO EARN SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS NECESSARY TO ENTER INTO ENVIRONMENTAL CAREERS. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED DURING UNDER THIS PROJECT ARE 180 HOURS OF TRAINING AND SKILL-BUILDING IN 40-HOUR HAZARDOUS WASTE OPERATIONS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION 10 GENERAL INDUSTRY SAFETY, AND BUILD TRYBE CONSERVATION LANDSCAPE JOB TRAINING TO EARN TWO FEDERAL CERTIFICATIONS AND TARGET RESTORATION EFFORTS IN NEIGHBORHOODS WITHIN KANSAS CITY'S BLUE RIVER WATERSHED DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE AND RESIDENT ADVERSE HEALTH OUTCOMES. ALSO, THE RECIPIENT WILL REPORT ON INTERIM PROGRESS AND FINAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS BY COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING RELEVANT PORTIONS OF THE PROPERTY PROFILE FORM USING EPA'S ASSESSMENT, CLEANUP AND REDEVELOPMENT EXCHANGE SYSTEM (ACRES).SUBRECIPIENT:SPECIALIZED TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED BY THREE NONPROFIT SUBAWARDEES, TWO OF WHICH INCLUDE SOME PROGRAM MANAGEMENT FOR BI-ANNUAL PARTNERSHIP MEETINGS. TRAINING INCLUDES MONTHLY CLASSES AROUND ENVIRONMENTALISM, CONSERVATION AND BROWNFIELDS REMEDIATION WITH IN THE FIELD EXPERIENCES, 12 ECO-SYSTEM MANAGEMENT TRAINING SESSIONS OVER THREE YEARS, PLUS 12 TRAINING SESSIONS OVER THREE YEARS AROUND URBAN FORESTRY, PLANTING, PRUNING, WATERING, AND PRAIRIE RESTORATION WITH REMOVAL OF INVASIVE SPECIES AND SEED COLLECTION.OUTCOMES:THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE TRAINING TO UNDER-RESOURCED YOUTH AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES ARE FOR : 450 INDIVIDUALS RECRUITED, 60 ENROLLED, 50 TRAINED, 50 CERTIFIED, AND 25 PLACED IN ENVIRONMENTAL CAREERS IN COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE SITES AND FACILITIES. 15 OF CLASSROOM STYLE TRAINING COHORTS, 15 PRACTICAL TRAINING COHORTS, AND 10 CURRICULA MODULES FOR EACH COHORT. 2 APPROPRIATE CERTIFICATIONS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND SITE CLEANUP METHODS. 50 INDIVIDUALS THAT RECEIVE CERTIFICATIONS IN OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120 40-HOUR HAZWOPER TRAINING. EXPECTED OUTCOMES FROM THIS PROJECT INCLUDE: -HELP RESIDENTS OF COMMUNITIES TAKE ADVANTAGE OF JOBS CREATED BY THE ASSESSMENT AND CLEANUP OF BROWNFIELDS AND THE ASSESSMENT, CLEANUP, AND MANAGEMENT OF SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE SITES AND FACILITIES WHILE ADDRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CONCERNS. -PROVIDE TRAINING THAT LEADS TO SUSTAINABLE EMPLOYMENT IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD. -IMPROVE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND STIMULATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONSTRUCTIVE PARTNERSHIPS. -REDUCE EXPOSURES TO HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS AND IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF WORKERS, OCCUPANTS, AND RESIDENTS. -FOSTER SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND ENHANCE THE SKILLS AND AVAILABILITY OF LABOR FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIAT