5. a. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education the sum of $1,000,000 for the purposes of fulfilling the provisions of this act.

b. The Office of the Secretary of Higher Education shall distribute a grant to the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development to establish the Direct Support Professional Career Development Program at a Center for Workforce Innovation, and at the program’s additional sites, distribute fellowship funding to cover living expenses for participating individuals, and establish a fund for existing direct support professionals to cover costs associated with furthering their education. No more than 10 percent of the funds appropriated pursuant to this section shall be used for administrative expenses. The Secretary of Higher Education shall approve any budget pursuant to this act.

L.2021, c.421, s.5.