The mission of the Bucks County Workforce Investment Board is to promote, drive, and ensure an effective workforce in Bucks County aligned with economic development. Enable youth to become employable citizens

Workforce Investment Act of 1998 State of Pennsylvania expectations Community needs and expectations Expectations of yourselves: establishing purpose and vision

Tutoring/other help leading to high school completion Alternative secondary school services Summer employment opportunities tied to academics Paid & unpaid work experience, internships, job shadowing Occupational skill training Individual assessment of skill & academic levels Analysis of needs Job Related service strategy Post secondary preparation  Leadership development opportunities  Support services  Adult mentoring  Follow-up services for one year  Comprehensive guidance and counseling

◦Preventing school dropouts ◦Raising functional skill levels of youths ◦Engaging youths in healthy, productive activity ◦Reducing youth criminal behavior ◦Creating good job opportunities for students and grads ◦Creating new avenues to excite youth about education and employment

Focus on maximizing services for youths eligible under WIA (“at risk”) Coordinate multiple programs and funds to address needs of at-risk youths Focus on improving academic performance Assist youths in meeting PA academic and occupations skill standards Adopt policies on how educational attainment will be measured

Develop a coordinated approach to issues of at-risk youths Strategically use WIA funds to address issues Strengthen linkages with existing local youth efforts Draw upon expertise of broad range of local talent Bring the youth perspective to the “WIB table”

Develop written policies & procedures for advertising, evaluating, and awarding youth contracts Strong private sector involvement Connect to CareerLink® system Connect to local economic development goals Think comprehensively and systematically

WIBs appointed by local elected officials Youth Councils appointed by WIBs WIBs and Youth Councils have specific responsibilities related to WIA funding WIBs and Youth Councils expected to coordinate use of WIA funds with other community resources

Ages ◦AND Low Income ◦In a TANF or SNAP household ◦Last six months of income is 235% below poverty guidelines ◦AND Have at least one “barrier to employment” All WIA Youth are placed in Follow-Up for one year after their exit to continue to assist in services.

Funding Target Populations Governance/Local  Single; integrated funding stream for all youth programs  Ages 14-21; low income; meet at least 1 of 6 specified barriers to employment; at least 30% of funds must be spent on out-of- school youth  Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs), in partnership with local elected officials, responsible for planning and oversight. Youth Councils must be established as a subgroup of WIB. Youth Council develops local plan, recommends providers of youth services, coordinates youth activities.

WIA funding to devote to: ◦Out-of-school youth ◦Summer initiatives ◦Programs for non-eligible youth under WIA ◦Priorities for programs the Council will fund with WIA $ ◦Structure for youth RFP- reflects decision and priorities ◦Rating system for proposal review

Consolidated approach Ensure non-duplication of resources Broad array of youth services Design of a youth plan and system Strong business involvement Align training with needs of the job market Performance accountability

Improve Enhance Realign More effective Better utilize Closely coordinate

A unified vision with specific plans for operations that are in sync with the vision An integrated mechanism for outreach & intake which is able to engage youth An integrated mechanism for working with young people to clarify goals & service needs Coordinated access to education, workforce, & support services that are specifically “locked in” for targeted youth A follow-up capacity Information sharing Integrated & effective case management capacity Accountability system

PREPARATION FOR AND SUCCESS IN EMPLOYMENT IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT SUPPORT FOR YOUTH SERVICES TO DEVELOP THE POTENTIAL OF YOUTH AS CITIZENS AND LEADERS

Focus on resources for “at-risk” youths, not just WIA $ Have a 501.c.3 to accept donations and grants Work with other groups-create service matrix Be active fund-raiser to fill gaps Use volunteers Solicit non-cash resources: jobs, space, mentors, training

What changes would we make? Who is responsible for making the changes? Do we have community support to make the changes? Do we have all of the required partners at the table?

Form follows function-relate to issues Manageable set of issues Membership can go beyond Youth Council members “Champion” needed for each issue Oversight function vs. issue-management functions