1. 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

2. 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?

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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. Youth Disconnection Rates

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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)

15. 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)

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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)

19. Contact Info: Kisha Bird Director, Youth Policy Project Director, Campaign for Youth CLASP p (202)