1. What are Supportive Services?

Supportive services are wraparound services that help individuals, and especially those from underrepresented and underserved groups, enroll in and successfully complete training. Supportive services include, but are not limited to, child and dependent care, tools, work clothing, application fees and other costs of apprenticeship or required pre-employment training, transportation and travel (including lodging) to training and work sites, and services aimed at helping to retain underrepresented groups such as mentoring, tutoring, support groups, and peer networking.

2. Are supportive services eligible under the provisions of 49 USC 5314(b)(4) that permit 0.5 percent of Urbanized Area Formula Grants (5307), State of Good Repair Grants (5337) or Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities (5339) funds to be used for Human Resources and Training activities?

Yes, if such costs comply with the cost principles for Federal awards (see 2 CFR Subpart E – Cost Principles).  To be allowable, the costs must be:

• Necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award (2 CFR 200.403(a)) – in this case, be necessary for participants, including those from underrepresented and underserved groups, to partake in workforce development, training, and education activities.
• Accorded consistent treatment, meaning a cost may not be assigned to the Federal award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost (200.403(d)).

If you have any questions about these requirements, please consult your FTA Regional Office.

3. Are supportive services eligible under the 5% of Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Grants (5339(b)) or Low or No Emission Grants (5339(c)) funds available for workforce development activities for zero emission projects?

Yes, if such costs (1) comply with the cost principles for Federal awards (see answer to previous question on 2 CFR Subpart E – Cost Principles) and (2) are proposed as part of a workforce development program to retrain and retain an inclusive pool of talent now and in the future, including registered apprenticeships and other joint labor-management training programs, as outlined in the applicant's Zero-Emission Transition Plan.