DC Youth and Young Adult Update 6-28-2024

• NYEC’s Youth Days Will Take Place September 11-13. 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 mix of virtual preparation and in-person interaction in Washington, DC. If you are new to policy and advocacy or a skilled advocate, you want to join us! 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! 

• 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 continue to meet 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 today, Co-chairs Rep. Michelle Steel (R-CA) and Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA), and Rep. Don Davis (D-NC) are the three members of the BYOC. 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 [email protected]. 

Executive Branch: 

• White House Hosts Convening on Preserving Pathways to Opportunity for All Americans: On June 17th, officials from the Biden-Harris administration met with business executives and civil rights leaders at the White House to discuss Preserving Pathways to Opportunity for All Americans. The discussion centered on best practices to recruit and retain a highly skilled workforce, and to create pathways to opportunity. Leaders attending the convening emphasized the importance of uplifting marginalized groups and diversity.  

• Biden-Harris Administration Announces New Rules to Create Good-Quality, High Paying Clean Energy Jobs: The Biden-Harris administration embeds rules into the Inflation Reduction Act to develop a strong, highly skilled clean energy workforce. As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, clean energy projects that meet prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements will receive increased clean energy tax credits, creating incentive to hire registered apprentices.  

• White House Hosts Roundtable on Best Practices to Increase Women in Construction: On June 18th, key leaders in the Biden-Harris administration met with semiconductor manufacturers, construction contractors, labor unions, tradeswomen groups, and advocates to discuss best practices to expand pathways for women and other underrepresented groups to participate in the construction industry.  

• The Department of Labor Awards Over $57M in Grants to Help Homeless, At-Risk Veterans Re-Enter the Workforce: On June 27th, the Labor Department announced over $57M in grants to support programs that assist veterans experiencing homelessness overcome workforce barriers to entry. The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program provided funding to new three-year grants, to 123 existing organizations in the program. These organizations help veterans develop occupational skills and connect them with apprenticeships and on-the-job training.  

• The Department of Labor Announces 8 Organization Additions to Deliver Employment Assistance to Transitioning Service Members and Spouses: The Labor Department announced 8 new Employment Navigator and Partnership Program partners with the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service. These partners provide service members transitioning from active duty with personalized employment assistance.  

• The Department of Labor Issues Comment Request on Allotments for Program Year 2024 for the Indian and Native American (INA) Programs as Part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act: The Labor Department seeks input on the posted fund allocations for the Indian and Native American Programs. The notice details the available funds to Tribal consortiums awarded by the PY 2022 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the INA Program workforce development grants.  

• The Department of Labor Seeks Comment on Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Common Performance Reporting: The Labor Department is soliciting comments for the authority to conduct the information collection request (ICR) titled, “Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Common Performance Reporting”. 

• The Department of Labor Seeks Comment on the Meritorious Registered Apprenticeship Recognition Program: The Labor Department is soliciting comments for the authority to conduct the information collection request titled “Meritorious Registered Apprenticeship Recognition Program (MRARP).” The Office of Apprenticeship seeks to reward apprenticeship programs that align their operations with the objectives of the Department of Labor’s Good Jobs Principles.  

• The Department of Labor Seeks Information on Black Veterans and Good Jobs: The Labor Department is seeking information from the public on Black veterans’ experience transitioning from the military to employment, and their access to meaningful careers. This information aims to improve and inform veteran and employment policies.  

Legislative Branch:  

• The House Appropriations Committee Releases Fiscal Year 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act: The House Appropriations Committee released the Fiscal Year 2025 bill for the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee on June 26th. The act provides a total discretionary allocation of $185.8 billion for the subcommittee and cut funding for 48 programs. The bill was considered in subcommittee on June 27th for markup, where Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) emphasized cutting spending, while maintaining funding for education programs.  

• Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) Introduces a Bill to amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act regarding reentry employment opportunities, and for other purposes: Alongside Senator Thomas Tillis (R-NC) as cosponsor, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced a bill that intends to amend WIOA for reentry employment opportunities. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. 

• Representative Sara Jacobs (D-CA) and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) Introduce a Bill to Extend the Obligation Deadline of Funds Made Available to Recipients Under the American Rescue Plan Act to Support Homeless Children and Youth: Alongside Representative Don Bacon (R-NE), Senator Joe Manchin III (I-WV), Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Senator Krysten Sinema (I-AZ) as cosponsors, the bill aims to support homeless children and youth by extending the obligation deadline of funds made available to recipients from the American Rescue Plan Act. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. 

• Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) Introduces a Bill to Establish, Improve, or Expand High-Quality Workforce Development Programs at Community Colleges: Alongside Representative Mike Braun (R-IN) as cosponsor, the bill intends to enhance workforce development programs at community colleges to ensure that graduates are well prepared to enter the workforce. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.  

• Representative Daniel S. Goldman Introduces a Bill to Direct the Attorney General to Authorize the Youth Gun Violence Prevention Program: Alongside Representatives Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) and Seth Magaziner (D-RI) as cosponsors, the bill intends to direct the Attorney General to authorize the Youth Gun Violence Prevention Program. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.  

• Senator John W. Hickenlooper (D-CO) Introduces a Bill to Amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to Authorize the Use of Individual Training Accounts for Certain Youth: The bill aims to amend WIOA to use individual training accounts for youth. As of June 27th, the bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.  

From The States: 

• Proponents of the bill eagerly anticipate systemic improvements when Pritzker signs it into law creating a new Department of Early Childhood (Illinois): Programs that pay for childcare expenses so parents can work or attend school, “Preschool for All,” which makes preschool accessible for all three- and four-year-olds in the state, special education programming for kids before they enter elementary school, and daycare licensing are just a few of the initiatives moving from the old agency into one cohesive organization. Governor Pritzker also appointed Irma Martinez Snopek, a former employee o Spring 2025 White House Internship Program (Paid Internship for USA Residents)  

For The Youth: 

• Spring 2025 White House Internship Program (Paid Internship for USA Residents): Interns will receive a stipend of $750 per week for full-time involvement (minimum 35 hours per week) and $375 per week for part-time engagement (15-34 hours per week). Academic credit support is available. 

Resources: 

• Case Studies in Supporting Infants, Toddlers, and Expectant Parents Experiencing Homelessness: The programs in Chicago, IL; Fort Worth, TX; and Boston, MA highlighted in this series of case studies by SchoolHouse Connection emphasize early childhood development, family support, and removing obstacles to service access. Discover how these programs combine early childhood education and care, housing support, and home visiting to promote family success and well-being utilizing a two-generational approach.