N.Y. Social Services Law § 331: Policies and purposes

§ 331. Policies and purposes. 1. It is hereby declared to be the

policy of the state that there be programs under which individuals

receiving public assistance will be furnished work activities and

employment opportunities, and necessary services in order to secure

unsubsidized employment that will assist participants to achieve

economic independence. Such programs shall be established and operated

in accordance with the provisions of this title and in compliance with

federal and state law and regulations.

2. A social services district may contract or establish agreements

with entities which comply with the standards to be established in

regulations by the commissioner to provide work activities, including

but not limited to, job training partnership act agencies, state

agencies, school districts, boards of cooperative educational services,

not-for-profit community based organizations, licensed trade schools or

registered business schools, libraries, post-secondary educational

institutions consistent with this title, and educational opportunity

centers and local employers. A district shall, to the extent

practicable and permitted under federal requirements, develop

performance based contracts or agreements with such entities. Such

standards shall include an evaluation procedure to ensure that services

offered by a provider are sufficient to enhance substantially a

participant's opportunity to secure unsubsidized employment or, when

coupled with or provided in conjunction with other activities, represent

part of a comprehensive approach to enabling a participant to secure

unsubsidized employment. Notwithstanding the provisions of section one

hundred fifty-three of this article, expenditures pursuant to contracts

or agreements with providers who do not meet the standards for approval

of providers as defined in regulations will not be eligible for

reimbursement by the department.

3. No social services district shall, in the exercising of the powers

and duties established in this title, permit discrimination on the basis

of race, color, national origin, sex, religion or handicap, in the

selection of participants, their assignment or reassignment to work

activities and duties, and the separate use of facilities or other

treatment of participants.