DC Youth and Young Adult Update 6-14-2024

• Register for NYEC’s 2024 Youth Days!: NYEC’s Youth Days will take place September 11-13, where we invite practitioners, community and organization leaders, 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! We have a limited number of slots, so please register soon! 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! Early bird registration closes next week! 

• 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. 

• NYEC Joins other National, State, and Local Organizations on Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Letter – Sign on Your Organization!: The letter, which will be sent to the leaders of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, calls for Congress to provide at least a 10 percent increase to workforce programs in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The letter includes two key NYEC priorities: 1) calling for an increase WIOA Title I Youth Funding to $1.14 billion and 2) calling for the inclusion of report language directing the Secretary of Labor to make competitive grants for subsidized summer and year-round employment opportunities targeted to opportunity youth or justice involved youth and those in high poverty areas under the Committee’s demonstration authority under section 169 of WIOA. 

Executive Branch: 

• Department of Labor Releases Notice on the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program: The notice announces the revised administrative formula methodology that the Employment and Training Administration uses to distribute annual allotment funding to state workforce agencies for the purpose of administering the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. Additionally, the notice formally communicates the substantial changes to the administrative formula and announces the actualized state allotments for fiscal year 2024, the revised formula’s implementation year, based on Congress’ budgetary appropriations.  

Legislative Branch:  

• Senate HELP Committee Holds Hearing on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA): On Wednesday, June 12, the Senate HELP Committee held a hearing on WIOA, signaling that the Committee is getting closer to a bipartisan WIOA reauthorization proposal. There was bipartisan agreement that a WIOA reauthorization bill should emphasize sector partnerships, reduce silos in the workforce system and strengthen collaboration between the education system and workforce system. There was also bipartisan agreement that the Committee should act on passing a workforce Pell proposal. Republicans iterated the goal of increasing the percentage of WIOA dollars that go to training. Democrats emphasized the importance of supportive services in serving WIOA participants. Ranking Member Cassidy, the top Republican on the panel, noted that he hopes the Committee will mark up a bill before August. Senator Kaine and Senator Murray elevated the importance of supporting Opportunity Youth during their time to ask the witnesses questions.  

• Senate HELP Members Release Slew of WIOA Proposals Ahead of Hearing: Several members of the Senate HELP Committee released bills that would update or amend different sections of WIOA. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced S.4490, S.4494, and S.4497; Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) introduced S.4498 and S.4501; Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) introduced S.4512; Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) introduced S.4519; and Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) introduced S.4526.  

Federal Funding Opportunities: 

• Foster Youth to Independence: The Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) initiative makes Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) assistance available to Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) in partnership with Public Child Welfare Agencies (PCWAs).   Applications due June 17, 2024.  

• Youth Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program:  This program aims to support youth justice and mental health agencies to improve outcomes for justice-involved youth with mental health disorders. Applications due June 18, 2024.  

• Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Round 6: A Grant Initiative for the Appalachian, Delta, and Northern Border Regions: The WORC Initiative aims to fund grants that create economic mobility, address inequities for historically marginalized communities of color, rural areas, and other underserved and underrepresented communities. Applications due on June 20, 2024.    

• Funding Initiative for Multistate Mentoring Programs: The Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention seeks to fund mentoring organizations to enhance and expand mentoring services for children and youth who are at risk or high risk for delinquency, victimization, and juvenile justice system involvement. Applications due June 24, 2024.  

• Grants for Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence: The Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention seeks funding applicants to develop community-based efforts to support children and families who are exposed to violence.  Applications due June 24, 2024.  

• The Labor Department Announces Approximately $35M in Additional Funding Available for 2nd Round of Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs Grants: The grants, administered by the Employment and Training Administration, will seek to enable public-private partnerships to develop, implement and scale worker-centered training programs for manufacturing, information technology and professional, scientific and technical service occupations. Applications due July 1, 2024.  

• OJJDP FY24 Child Victimization and Juvenile Justice Prosecution Training and Technical Assistance Grant Program: The Justice Department looks to provide technical assistance to select organizations that strengthen prosecution efforts regarding youth and children victimized in out-of-home placement, including foster care, group homes, shelter care or custodial settings. Applications due July 6, 2024.  

• The Justice Department Seeks Applicants for Funding to Build Local Continuums of Care to Support Youth Success: The Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Protection seeks funding applicants to assist districts in planning and assessing prevention and intervention services to establish a continuum of care for at-risk youth or youth previously involved in the justice system. Applications due July 8, 2024.  

• The Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Announces $1 Million for the National Youth Violence Prevention Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Program: The program will address youth violence prevention by providing the field and practitioners with comprehensive resources and training materials through the OJJDP National Youth Violence Prevention Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Program. Applications due July 8, 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).  Applications due July 8, 2024.  

• The Department of Justice Announces Funding Opportunities for Reentry Services and Programs Focused on Strengthening Education and Employment Outcomes: The Bureau of Justice Assistance is seeking to fund applicants who provide re-entry services and programs aimed at improving education, employment, and community reintegration outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals. Applications due July 11, 2024.  

• The Labor Department Announces $40M in Grants for Workforce Pathways Rounds 4 and 5: These grants are intended for national out-of-school time organizations to expand local work-based learning opportunities, job training and career pathways for underserved youth.  Applications due July 15, 2024  

• The Department of Labor Announces $12 Million in Additional Funding Available to Improve Job Quality and Expand Access to Good Jobs in Critical Industries: The Labor Department’s announcement of an additional $12 million to improve access to high-quality jobs in critical industries includes an emphasis on training for care economy roles, such as child and elderly care.  Applications due July 15, 2024.  

• Environmental Protection Agency Announces $14 Million in Brownfields Job Training Grants: The grants are intended to aid non-profits and other organizations to recruit, train and retain a local highly-skilled environmental workforce by prioritizing under-represented, low-income individuals who have been impacted by solid and hazardous waste. Applications due August 15, 2024.  

• Youth Homelessness Demonstration Grant Program: The Department of Housing and Urban Development will select up to 25 communities to participate in the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program to develop and execute a coordinated community approach to preventing and ending youth homelessness. Applications due August 29, 2024.   

• 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. Applications due August 29, 2024.  

• Grants to Support New Investigators in Conducting Research Related to Preventing Interpersonal Violence Impacting Children and Youth: The goal of these funds is to expand the research priorities of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. These new priorities include adverse childhood experiences and youth violence. Applications due December 2, 2024. 

From The States: 

• Officials set an ambitious goal for apprenticeship programs, aiming to create 14,000 new opportunities by year’s end (New York): New York City’s Mayor Eric Adams launched the Apprenticeship Accelerator program with the ambitious goal of creating 30,000 apprenticeship opportunities by 2030. This initiative aims to address the city’s talent shortage and provide a pathway to good-paying jobs for residents. As part of the program, the city expects to see 14,000 new apprenticeship positions by the end of this year. 

Resources & A Chance to Act: 

• The State of Health and Health Care for LGBTQ+ Veterans from RAND: LGBTQ+ veterans face distinct hurdles in obtaining the healthcare. A recent RAND study reveals that these veterans, including transgender individuals and those who identify as sexual minorities, experience poorer health outcomes compared to their cisgender and heterosexual counterparts. 

• A well-deserved award, a new video, and a pledge for a Blueprint for a Better Region from CSG: Over 200 Committee for Smart Growth supporters came together last week to honor WMATA General Manager Randy Clarke with the Livable Communities Leadership Award. His vision for DC’s public transportation and receipt of this prestigious award also saw the launch of CSG’s Blueprint for a Better Region video.   

• SchoolHouse Connection Survey: The 2024-2025 FAFSA contains policies intended to remove barriers for youth who are unstably housed or involved with the foster care system. However, the FAFSA rollout has been complicated by numerous delays and missteps. These delays and missteps are particularly problematic for young individuals who have complex personal circumstances, such as youth experiencing homelessness and youth with experience in the foster care program. To inform their FAFSA advocacy and improve their FAFSA training and resources, SchoolHouse Connection is conducting a short survey of education professionals (high school and higher education), service providers, and others who assist youth experiencing homelessness and youth with experience in the foster care system to complete the FAFSA.