SB 578

Establishes the NC Communities Advancing Real Development by Investing in Newly Accomplished Leaders, or CARDINAL, Corps Program (Program) to expand opportunities for selected individuals by providing fellowship funds to support entry into critical, high-need sectors facing shortages including disaster relief and recovery, education, public safety, public service, farming and food security, and services to military families and veterans. Specifies that the Program will (1) allow host recipients, including businesses, schools, local governments, and private nonprofit organizations, to participate in fellowships to meet their needs, assist with financial challenges, and ease employment demands in their local communities and (2) provide opportunities to fellows that can lead to certifications, licensing, or an associate degree in a career field and, ultimately, full-time employment. Specifies that a host recipient is eligible for reimbursement of funds used for a fellowship if the host offers a qualifying fellowship to an individual who is either within the first two years immediately following (1) high school graduation or completion of general education development (GED) or (2) a United States military deployment. Sets forth six qualifying fellowships including disaster relief and recovery, public safety, farming and food security, and military families and veterans.