HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 108

(By Delegates Howell)

(Originating in the Select Committee on Tourism and Economic Diversification)

[Introduced March 10, 2022]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the possibility of combining certain programs related to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (“DHHR”), Workforce West Virginia, and the West Virginia Community and Technical College System to create a “one-stop shop” for applicants to be admitted into higher education programs.

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the possibility of combining certain programs related to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), Workforce West Virginia, and the West Virginia Community and Technical College System to create a “one-stop shop” for applicants to obtain admission into higher education programs; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the current application process for individuals to apply for and get into West Virginia Community and Technical colleges; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the current job placement percentage for those persons who are admitted into and successfully graduate from West Virginia Community and Technical Colleges in West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the means by which to obtain more applicants for programs geared towards persons who may have obtained benefits from the DHHR during the COVID-19 pandemic and otherwise over the past 2 years, but want to return to the workforce; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the process of combining certain programs within the DHHR, Workforce West Virginia, and the West Virginia Community and Technical College system to create a “one-stop shop” (for example, a single mother being allowed to remain on certain benefits from the DHHR while applying for a West Virginia Community and Technical College program, all the while being able to have childcare provided for her, grants explained to her that she may be eligible for, and for the ability to enroll in classes); and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study ways to more efficiently streamline certain DHHR funding streams that could correlate with admission into West Virginia Community and Technical Colleges; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the Regular Session of the Legislature, 2023, on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report, and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.