Our Youth, Our Economy, Our Future: Strategies that Make a Difference in Youth Workforce Development Kisha Bird, Director, Youth Policy, CLASP 2017 Youth Summit 2017 Connecticut Department of Labor

Who You Were When You Were A Teenager. What Did You Do Who You Were When You Were A Teenager? What Did You Do? What Were Your Challenges? Who Supported You?

Key Points Who Are Opportunity Youth? What Is Our Challenge? Getting to Solutions: We Know What Works Your Charge!

Who Are Opportunity Youth? Out-of-School Youth/Disconnected Youth - Teenagers and young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 who are neither working nor in school. Opportunity Youth - Those of us who have spent time out-of-school and out-of-work, formerly called “at-risk” or “disconnected” youth, appreciate the new language that names us “opportunity youth.” It accurately reflects the twin facts that we are seeking opportunity and we offer a major opportunity to our nation if it will invest in us and our peers.

Definitions: Out-of-School Youth in Federal Statute WIOA The term‘ ‘out-of-school youth’’ means an individual who is— (i) not attending any school (as defined under State law); (ii) not younger than age 16 or older than age 24; and (iii) one or more of the following: (I) A school dropout. (II) A youth who is within the age of compulsory school attendance, but has not attended school for at least the most recent complete school year calendar quarter. (III) A recipient of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent who is a low-income individual and is— (aa) basic skills deficient; or (bb) an English language learner. (IV) An individual who is subject to the juvenile or adult justice system. (V) A homeless individual, child or youth who is a runaway, in foster care or has aged out of the foster care system, or in an out-of-home placement. (VI) An individual who is pregnant or parenting. (VII) A youth who is an individual with a disability. (VIII) A low-income individual who requires additional assistance to enter or complete an educational program or to secure or hold employment.

Opportunity Youth & Toxic Stress Gang involvement Drug use Incarceration Death of a loved one Being a regular caregiver Foster youth Not participating in afterschool activities Suspended or expelled Lack of preparation for HS Enduring abuse Experienced homelessness Changing residence frequently Changing schools frequently Contributing factors for dropping out of school. Emphasize clustering effect. No group of survey respondents demonstrated involvement with delinquent behaviors (e.g. drug use or gang involvement) without also experiencing an unstable environment, death of a person close to them, or abuse. Gang involvement may be because no positive relationships with adults/peers at home, school, or community. America’s Promise Alliance

Youth Disconnection Rates

Who Youth and Young Adults Are Today Opportunity Youth 4.9 million young adults Ages of 16 and 24 12.3 percent of American youth, about one in eight 20.3 percent in rural counties, much higher than the rate for counties in urban centers 14.2 percent

How do we work together to solve this crisis? Ask young people what they need and want Recognize and address toxic stress Develop programs, but more importantly assess and change how policies, systems, agencies work Use data, learn from others Understand what is a federal, state, or local policy barrier Local leadership must be on the front lines, mayors, city council, agency leads, advocates, employers and nonprofit leaders Invest in a wide range of employment and workforce development opportunities

How do we work together to solve this crisis? What do you think?

We Know What Works State Policy Leadership and Investment Focus on Building Local/Regional Systems Think Youth Pathways and Long-Term Goals Youth Development, Skill Development, Service, Career Pathways and Leadership Development Youth Engagement/Youth Voice

Components of a Comprehensive OSY Delivery System Convening Entity Administrative Agent Navigation/Case Management Partnerships Across Systems/Sectors Work Experience & Exposure Dropout Recovery System Youth Leadership Capacity Building for Providers

Career Pathways System Elements e.g., high school or CTE e.g., adult education or workforce system e.g., military or civilian workplace e.g., postsecondary system e.g., apprenticeship 2. Multiple entry points – for both well-prepared students and targeted populations 1. Well-connected and transparent education, training, credentials, and support services informed by industry/employers credentials competencies, and e.g., 4-year degree skills, e.g., 2-year degree Increasing e.g., certificate, diploma Nth Job in Career Path 3rd Job in Career Path bridge(s) e.g., license, industry credential 2nd Job in Career Path 1st Job in Career Path 3. Multiple exit points

Occupational Training High Quality Work Experiences: There is no silver bullet! Now, Soon and Future Jobs… Summer Jobs Occupational Training Transitional jobs Internships Pre-apprenticeships Career Exploration Entrepreneurship (Make linkage to KB’s earlier remarks on TANF and WIOA)

Dropout Recovery Strategies Credit recovery Reengagement centers Integrated education and training Dual enrollment (Link to KB’s remarks on core WIOA programs, ESSA, and PSE)  

Social-Emotional and Work Supports Social-Emotional & Work Supports Child Care Transportation Housing Mental Health Health Services Financial Capability These are just a few – can also add financial planning, life skills, independent living, job readiness and “soft skills”, access to benefits such as SNAP

Full Employment Council, Kansas City Out of School Youth Systems Chart Pre Screened Court Referral Community “Street” Recruitment FEC Orientation Review Program Career Pathway Reinforcement (CPR) Is the Client Ready and Committed to Program. Admissions Committee Quality referral to partner/ mandate of enhanced completion YES / NO Career Exploration Explore jobs in the region and pay levels Job Advocacy / Job Placement Career Assessment Determine what career is compatible to interests and skills Career Plan Development Develop Career Action Plan Youth Development Skill Development Service Learning Mentoring Customer Service Participant Council (PC) Alumni Club Legal Service Face Forward Only GED or High School Diploma if a Dropout Classroom Training (CRT) Internships/Work Experience OJT/ Combination of Training Full Employment Council, Kansas City FEC Job Advocacy / Job Placement

Funding and Policy Choices Can Make a Difference Expand and tailor services to the needs of low-income opportunity youth– can include justice-involved and foster youth Improve cross-systems funding, coordination and implementation of services with state local workforce/education/justice systems Think about financing strategies. Employers, leveraging higher education funding, SNAP Employment & Training (Beyond WIOA)

Contact Info: Kisha Bird Director, Youth Policy Project Director, Campaign for Youth CLASP www.clasp.org p (202) 906-8020 kbird@clasp.org Twitter: @CLASPKisha