Section 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.