1. 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

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

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

4. 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

5. 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
2001
44%
(1991 to 2001)
2010
69%
(1991 to 2010)
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI Inflation Calculator
December 3, 2018

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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