<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gnr" article_name="Natural Resources" number="8-1917" title_number="8" title_name="Waters" subtitle_number="19" subtitle_name="Chesapeake Bay Trust and Programs. (Pt. I)">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Trust, in consultation with the Corps Board, shall make grants to qualified organizations for the creation or expansion of full– and part–time Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps Programs, that involve citizens of all ages throughout the State, to carry out this part.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Corps programs shall engage and develop volunteers and stipend volunteers in environmental and energy conservation projects.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Eligible Corps Program expenses include personnel costs, stipends, supplies, and other materials for projects undertaken by Corps Program volunteers.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The Trust, in consultation with the Corps Board, shall develop guidelines for evaluating applications from qualified organizations.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The guidelines developed in accordance with subsection (b) of this section shall:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Consider the capability of the qualified organization to carry out Corps programs or projects;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Encourage and consider multiyear, multipartner proposals, local match, cost–sharing agreements, and in–kind match as factors in evaluating Corps Program grant applications; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Require grant applications to describe how the qualifying organization intends to:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Assess the skills of Corps Program volunteers;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Provide life skills and work skills training;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Provide training and education, in addition to the training provided as a part of the main Corps Program;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>Develop, where relevant, agreements for academic study with:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>Local education agencies;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>Community colleges;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="3">
          <text>4–year colleges;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="4">
          <text>Area charter high schools and vocational–technical schools; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="5">
          <text>Community–based organizations;</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>Provide career and educational guidance;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>Recruit participants without high school diplomas; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vii">
        <text>Recruit retired and semi–retired seniors and other qualified individuals with relevant experience to train Corps Program volunteers and participate in Corps projects by volunteering their experience and skills.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>A grant agreement regarding funds from the Trust shall:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Specify the allowed use of the funds provided under the grant, including accountability measures and performance requirements;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Take into account the need for efficient multiyear funding and administration of the funds; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Include provisions for verification that Corps programs and projects are being implemented as planned.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
