MAINSTREAM RESOURCES WORKSHOP August 27, 2004 US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR YOUTH PROGRAMS

WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT (WIA) YOUTH PROGRAM Principles Year-Round Program Serving Youth Aged Set-Aside for Out-of-School Youth Youth Services through One-Stop System Broad Range of Coordinated Services Academic Preparation Occupational Preparation Work Experience Maturity/ Leadership Skills Intensive Follow-up Established Local Youth Councils

Each Youth is to Receive An Assessment of Academic, Occupational & Assessment of Other Needs Preparation of an Individual Strategy Including a Career Goal Access to Tutoring/ Instruction Leading to a Degree/ GED Alternative Schools Adult Mentors Community Service Opportunities Summer or Year Round Employment Occupational Training Supportive Services Guidance and Counseling

Current Youth Eligibility Aged Low Income And, Be in One of the Following Categories Deficient in Literacy Skills School Dropout Homeless, Runaway or Foster Child Pregnant or Parenting Requiring Assistance to Complete Education or Secure A Job

SOME PROPOSED CHANGES Would Allocate 70 % of Allocation for Out-of- School Youth, 30% for In-School Youth Would Establish Challenge Grants -25% of Funds Would Change Youth Allocation Formula Would Remove Income as an Eligibility Criteria Would Raise Age Qualification to Aged 16 Would Serve In-School Youth in Non-School Setting Would Make Youth Councils Optional Simplifies National Performance Measurement

NEW DOL YOUTH PRIORITIES Focus on Alternative Education Focus on Business Demand—Especially High Growth Industries & Occupations Focus on Neediest Youth Youth in Foster Care Youth Aging Out of Foster Care Youth Offenders Children of Incarcerated Parents Migrant Youth Focus on Improved Performance

OTHER DOL YOUTH GRANTS Youth Offender Grants Ages Ready4Work Offender Re-entry Grants Ages Youth Opportunity Grants (being phased out) Hispanic Youth Grants At-Risk Youth Youth with Disabilities

YOUTH BUILD Funded by the Dept. of Housing and Community Development (HUD), AmeriCorps and Foundations National Network of 200 Projects-- 13 in Illinois In YouthBuild programs, unemployed and undereducated young people ages work toward their GED or high school diploma while learning construction skills by building affordable housing for homeless and low-income people. 

Dr. Jack MacLennan US Dept. of Labor Employment and Training Administration Region S. Dearborn Street, 615# Chicago, IL

New Proposed Youth Eligibility One or More of the Following School Dropout Graduates Who Are Basic Skill Deficient and not Attending a School Court-Involve Youth Youth Aging out of Foster Care In-School Youth Who Are Deficient in Literacy Homeless, Runaway or Foster Care Pregnant or Parents Offenders Require Additional Assistance