If Not Now, then When? Opportunities to Address Our Nation’s Youth Unemployment Crisis Working for Change Forum U.S. Capitol Washington, DC May 21, 2010 Mala B. Thakur, Executive Director National Youth Employment Coalition

National Youth Employment Coalition The National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC) improves the effectiveness of organizations that seek to help youth become productive citizens. Established in 1979, NYEC is a national membership network of over 250 youth employment, youth development, and education organizations in 40 states. 2

National Youth Employment Coalition Sets and Promotes Quality Standards Tracks, Crafts, and Influences Policy Provides and Supports Professional Development Builds the Capacity of Organizations and Programs 3

Why Don’t We Have Legislation? Congressional resolve is needed to address the crises facing low income youth and young adults. Multiple bills have been introduced; 75 Members of Congress have signed on to some piece of youth - related legislation. However, multiple stand-alone bills are not likely to gain enough constituency to move through Congress. 4

Proposed Solution If we harness the best provisions from multiple bills, we can craft Comprehensive Youth Legislation. This legislation could move on its own or anchor to Workforce Investment Act Reauthorization. 5

Comprehensive Youth Legislation Needs-Directed FundingCapacity and Field -Building Dropout Recovery & Re-engagement Employment & Work Experience Employer Incentives C OMPREHENSIVE Y OUTH L EGISLATION 6

Needs-Directed Funding Funding directed to high poverty areas to serve “high needs” youth –Bill Sources: RAISE UP (S. 1608, HR 3982) · Workforce Investment Act – Youth Opportunity program 7

Creating Employment Opportunities Create work experience and subsidized employment opportunities: –Bill Sources: RAISE UP (S. 1608, HR 3982) · Employing Youth for the American Dream Act of 2010 (HR 4920) · Youth Corps Act of 2010 (S. 3178) · American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (HR 1) · Youth Jobs Act of 2010 (S. 2923) Job Creation Summer & Year-Round Employment Work Experience On-the-job Training Transitional Jobs Youth Corps Public Service Employment 8

Dropout Recovery & Re-engagement Direct resources to high poverty communities for dropout recovery –Bill Sources: RAISE UP (S. 1608, HR 3982) 9

Capacity and Field Building Investment in research, dissemination, capacity building, professional development and training of the field –Bill Sources: RAISE UP (S. 1608, HR 3982) 10

Employer Incentives Expand employer incentives to hire youth –On-the-job training –Tax credits –Subsidized work experience –Bill Sources: Employing Youth for the American Dream Act of 2010 (HR 4920) 11

RAISE UP (S. 1608, HR 3982) Introduced by Senator Stabenow (D-MI) on August 6, 2009; November 2, 2009 by Representative Kildee (D-MI) Purpose: To prepare young people in disadvantaged situations for a competitive future. Provides competitive grants to community partnerships who unite services to re-engage youth to complete their education and enter a good paying career. 12

Employing Youth for the American Dream Act of 2010 (HR 4920) Introduced by Representative Rush (D-IL) on March 24, 2010 Purpose: To create and encourage the creation of jobs for youth via on the job training, public service employment, subsidized work experience, tax credits, youth employment programs and other programs 13

Considerations Income eligibility Age range Adequate Investment Alignment of services and supports across systems Opportunities connected to longer-term pathways Priority/Dedicated funding for disconnected youth and young adults Field and Capacity Building 14

The Opportunity The Workforce Investment Act is up for reauthorization and can serve as a vehicle to provide more opportunities for disconnected youth and young adults. Employers are demanding more skilled workers. Disconnected youth and young adults should be in the pipeline to fill the demand. Existing bills could be used to create comprehensive legislation geared toward disconnected youth and young adults. The time for action is now -- “when” is not acceptable. 15

For More Information: Mala B. Thakur, Executive Director National Youth Employment Coalition 1836 Jefferson Place, NW Washington, DC Tel