; and (F) to facilitate the exchange of information among eligible entities regarding best practices and promising practices used in the projects. (2) Continuation of peer technical assistance conferences The Secretary shall continue to hold peer technical assistance conferences for entities to which a grant is made under this section or was made under the immediate predecessor of this section. The preceding sentence shall not be interpreted to require any such conference to be held in person. (f) Evaluation of dedicated career pathways (1) In general The Secretary shall, by grant, contract, or interagency agreement, conduct rigorous and well-designed evaluations of the dedicated career pathway projects carried out pursuant to subsection (h). (2) Requirement applicable to second chance career pathway In the case of a project of the type described in subsection (i), the evaluation shall include identification of successful activities for creating opportunities for developing and sustaining, particularly with respect to low-income individuals with arrest or conviction records, a health professions workforce that has accessible entry points, that meets high standards for education, training, certification, and professional development, and that provides increased wages and affordable benefits, including health care coverage, that are responsive to the needs of the workforce. (g) Reports As a condition of funding, an eligible entity awarded a grant to conduct a project under this section shall submit interim reports to the Secretary on the activities carried out under the project, and, on the conclusion of the project, a final report on the activities. (h) Second chance career pathway (1) Grant authority The Secretary shall award grants in accordance with this subsection to eligible entities to conduct career pathway projects for the purpose of providing education and training for eligible individuals with arrest or conviction records to enter and follow a career pathway in the health professions through occupations