Navigating the World of Youth Policy in a Challenging Economy Kisha Bird Project Director, Campaign for Youth Jonathan Larsen Policy Associate, National Youth Employment Coalition

The State of Youth Unemployment Employment-Population Ratio - 16-19 yrs., 16-24 yrs., 25 and older, unadjusted, for years 2000-2010 Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Current Population Survey, retrieved October 10, 2010 December 3, 2018

Youth of Color Fare Even Worse Employment-Population Ratio - 16-19 yrs., By Race, Unadjusted Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Current Population Survey, retrieved October 10, 2010 December 3, 2018

High Joblessness for the Undereducated and Unskilled Percent of High School Dropouts 16 to 24 who were employed April 2010 Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Current Population Survey, retrieved 10, 2010 , A-16. Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population 16 to 24 years of age by school enrollment, educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity December 3, 2018

Two Decades of Declining Youth Workforce Investments Funding to workforce system for youth programming (numbers in thousands)* Year Youth Funding Current Dollars Percent Change 1991 1.894.273 3.032.074 2001 1.377.965 1.696.266 44% (1991 to 2001) 2010 924.069 69% (1991 to 2010) Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration www.doleta.gov/budget; Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI Inflation Calculator http://www.bls.gov/bls/inflation.htm December 3, 2018

Decades of Calls to Action Our economy, national security, and social cohesion face a precarious future if our nation fails to develop now the comprehensive policies and programs needed to help all youth. In developing these policies and programs, it is crucial to recognize the growing gap between more fortunate youth and those with far fewer advantages… William T. Grant Foundation Commission on Work, Family and Citizenship (1988) Noted that most new jobs created in the nineties and beyond would require some level of postsecondary education. They cautioned that, without substantial adjustment in policies and without investments being made in education and training, the problems of minority unemployment, crime, and dependency would be worse in 2000. Workforce 2000 (1987) noted that one in five young people in this country grew up in third-world surroundings and started out with severe learning disadvantages from which they never recovered. The report recommended investment in a dropout recovery system that would build the connection between education and work for youth without high school certification. America’s Choice High Skills or Low Wages (1990) December 3, 2018

Comprehensive Youth Legislation Community Resources Business Resources Workforce Education YOUTH Justice Foster Care Welfare Health “ALL SYSTEMS ON BOARD”

PROVIDE INCENTIVES FOR EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT Comprehensive Youth Legislation Must Prioritize Dropout Recovery TARGET RESOURCES TO HIGH NEED AREAS BUILD CAPACITY OF LOCAL YOUTH DELIVERY SYSTEMS BUILD MULTIPLE PATHWAYS TO EDUCATION EXPAND WORK EXPERIENCE & EXPOSURE PROVIDE INCENTIVES FOR EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT December 3, 2018 December 3, 2018 8

Opportunities in WIA Reauthorization Targeting – Require 50% funds be spent on disconnected youth Create Innovation Fund – Targeted to high poverty communities; require collaboration of education, workforce, youth serving systems, community to build pathways to labor mkt credentials Require Youth Councils – to create strategic plans for youth re-engagement & leverage resources December 3, 2018

Opportunities in WIA Reauthorization Expand Technical Assistance – to develop the capacity and skills of youth workers and organizations Establish Robust Work Experience Funding Stream – to provide paid work, internships, service corps, summer and transitional jobs Provide Incentives – for WIA & ESEA collaboration on dropout recovery December 3, 2018

ESEA Opportunities for Dropout Recovery & Re-engagement Accountability: Include four- and six-year cohort graduation rates in accountability requirements to allow LEAs time to work with former dropouts to complete requirements for completion of high school. Planning: Specify dropout recovery strategies as a required activity that must be included in state and LEA plans. This plan should include strategies for outreach and re-enrollment, multiple options for completion, partnerships for wrap-around services, and connections to post secondary and work opportunities. Funding: Expand funding in the existing School Dropout Prevention Fund; allow LEAs to develop dropout recovery systems as a part of a coordinated community-wide strategy. Designate a percentage of Title 1 formula funds be directed to support secondary school reform efforts, with specific emphasis on recuperative strategies December 3, 2018