DC Youth and Young Adult Update 5-31-2024

News at NYEC:  

• Register for NYEC’s 2024 Youth Days!: NYEC’s Youth Days will take place September 11-13, where we invite practitioners, advocates, and young people to join us in Washington, DC to advocate for Opportunity Youth at the federal level! This year’s event features a dynamic blend of virtual preparation and in-person engagement in Washington, DC. Whether you are new to policy and advocacy or a seasoned advocate, you will not want to miss this event! More details, including virtual preparation session descriptions and dates and a detailed agenda for the in-person event, can be found in the hyperlinked title! 
• Recruit Your Representative to the Bipartisan Opportunity Youth Caucus! We are calling on NYEC members to recruit your Representative to the Bipartisan Opportunity Youth Caucus (BOYC)! NYEC staff have met with key Congressional offices to ask that they join the BOYC, which will promote research and policies to support young people ages 16-24 who face barriers to employment or education and are at-risk of experiencing disconnection – also referred to as Opportunity Youth. As of this writing, there are three members of the Caucus: Co-chairs Rep. Michelle Steel (R-CA) and Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA), and Rep. Don Davis (D-NC). We need your help in building more momentum and support for the Caucus! Please ask your Representative to join the Bipartisan Opportunity Youth Caucus by using this template! If you would like assistance preparing for the meeting or would like to discuss it further, please contact nathan.hora@nyec.org. 
• Check out NYEC Mental Health Policy Recommendations – Our 2024 recommendations were brought forward earlier this year through the Mental Health subcommittee of our Policy Committee. To accomplish this, the subcommittee met with experts from across the nation to help develop comprehensive insights included in these recommendation

Legislative Branch: 

• Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Staff Continue Discussions on WIOA Reauthorization: As we have previously reported, the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan WIOA reauthorization bill, H.R. 6655, A Stronger Workforce for America Act, on a bipartisan basis. The Senate HELP Committee has continued to solicit stakeholder input regarding its forthcoming WIOA reauthorization bill. As of this writing, the HELP Committee aims to circulate a discussion draft of their proposal in the coming weeks, with the goal of a markup of the bill in late June or early July. 

Executive Branch:  

• The Workforce Information Advisory Council (WIAC) to Hold Virtual Meetings on June 26 and 27: The WIAC is a Federal advisory committee of workforce and labor market information experts representing a broad range of national, state, and local data and information users and producers. The purpose of the WIAC is to provide recommendations to the Secretary of Labor to address: (1) the evaluation and improvement of the nationwide workforce and labor market information system and statewide systems that comprise the nationwide system; and (2) how the Department and the States will cooperate in the management of those systems. 

Federal Funding Opportunities: 

• Indian Housing Block Grant Competitive Grant Program: Under the program, eligible Indian tribes and tribally designated housing entities receive grants to carry out a range of affordable housing activities. Grant funds may be used to develop, maintain, and operate affordable housing in safe and healthy environments on Indian reservations and in other Indian areas and carry out other affordable housing activities. Applications due August 29, 2024.  

• Integrated Treatment for Individuals with Co-occurring Disorders in the Criminal Justice System: The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) seeks a training and technical assistance (TTA) provider with expertise in working with communities to improve access to integrated treatment for justice-involved populations with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders (MHSUDs). The provider will work with BJA to lead a national TTA program and administer subawards to local demonstration sites. The program will promote cross-system collaboration among justice stakeholders, behavioral health service providers, and community support organizations to improve access to integrated treatment for individuals with co-occurring MHSUDs. Applications due July 8, 2024.  

From The States: 

• Court Signals Support for Worker Classification (California): California’s Supreme Court Justices hinted at seeking a middle ground in the ongoing battle over Proposition 22. Passed by voters in 2020 (with 58% approval), this law allows companies like Uber and Lyft to classify drivers as independent contractors, exempting them from employee benefits. However, Prop 22’s legality has been challenged, with a Superior Court judge initially ruling it unconstitutional, only to be overturned by a state appeals court. This impacts our work at NYEC, given the opportunity youth’s reliance on the gig economy to provide for themselves financially.  

• Senate Approves Bill Requiring Parental Permission for Transgender Student Pronouns, Names (Louisiana): The Louisiana Senate passed a bill on Wednesday that would require schools to use students’ legal names and pronouns unless parents provide written permission for otherwise. The bill, House Bill 121, applies to transgender and non-binary students in K-12 public schools. It passed with a vote of 27-9, with one Democrat joining Republicans in supporting the measure. This impacts our work at NYEC, given that one in every five young persons ages 13-17 identifies as trans and the correct usage of pronouns has been proven to prevent suicidal ideation amongst LGBTQIA+ youth.  

For The Youth: 

• SchoolHouse Connection Scholarship: This unique program is the only national scholarship specifically designed to support young people who have experienced homelessness. It provides comprehensive assistance for young people ages 16-24 who have experienced homelessness at least once during the last six years, and the assistance is provided throughout their college journey, from starting their education to finding a job after graduation. The application deadline is TOMORROW. 

Resources & A Chance to Act: 

• Amazon Web Services (AWS) Health Equity Initiative: Amazon Web Services (AWS) is expanding its fight for health equity worldwide. Launched in 2021 with a $40 million, three-year commitment, the AWS Health Equity Initiative has seen considerable progress in tackling disparities in social determinants of health (SDoH) globally. Recognizing this success, AWS has pledged an additional $20 million in 2024, bringing the total investment to $60 million in cloud credits and technical expertise.