DC Youth and Young Adult Update 7-26-2024

By NYEC | July 26, 2024

 

 

News at NYEC:  

  • NYEC’s Youth Days Will Take Place September 11-13. Time is running out to register! NYEC is inviting 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. The virtual advocacy training sessions begin in August, so reserve your spot now! 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! 
  • NYEC Encourages Members to Educate their Members of Congress about the Importance of Investing in Opportunity Youth: As we shared last week, the House Appropriations Committee advanced its Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill, which includes many federal programs of importance to NYEC. If enacted, the bill would significantly cut or eliminate crucial federal programs that support opportunity youth. The bill proposes to eliminate WIOA Youth funding and cut Apprenticeship and the Reentry Employment Opportunities program by nearly 50 percent. Now is the time to contact your members of Congress to share why it’s crucial to robustly invest in programs that support opportunity youth. You can find an email/call template here. If you need contact information for your members of Congress, you can either directly call their DC office or email [email protected].  
  • 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: 

  • Department of Labor Releases Report on Youth Summer Employment: The report found that over 6.6 million youth aged 16-19 were employed this June. Youth employment during summer months is important to help youth develop workforce skills and reduce justice involved youth. WIOA Youth funding and city budgets primarily support the creation of youth employment initiatives. Youth summer employment varied by season, geography and family income.
  • The White House Launches Fifth Investing in America Tour: The Biden administration’s Investing in America initiative supports rural communities by creating good jobs and investing in infrastructure. As part of the tour, the White House has released a new tool on Invest.gov/rural which highlights impact stories in rural communities. In addition, the Department of Commerce announced a $400 million CHIPS and Science Act preliminary agreement that will strengthen semiconductor jobs in Texas and Missouri.  

Federal Funding Opportunities: 

  • The Department of Justice Seeks to Fund the Center for Youth Justice Transformation: The Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention seeks to provide funding for the Center for Youth Justice Transformation to develop and implement training and technical assistance to support juvenile justice system reforms and create an online education platform for best practices in juvenile justice reform. Applications are due August 5th, 2024.  
  • The Department of Labor to Award YouthBuild Grants: The Department of Labor will award grants under the YouthBuild program model through a competitive process to organizations that provide pre-apprenticeship services including education, employment services and occupational skills training. The YouthBuild model prepares opportunity youth for quality infrastructure jobs through wrap-around care. Applications are due July 24th, 2024.  

From The States: 

  • Virginia: Virginia has implemented several new laws aimed at enhancing public safety and accessibility. One new law targets transportation safety by imposing higher fines for traffic violations in highway work zones, with the aim of protecting construction workers. In the electoral domain, the state has extended the deadline for local election offices to certify results from seven to ten days, ensuring more thorough and accurate counts. Additionally, new regulations have improved access to polling places for individuals with disabilities, including mandatory training for poll workers to better accommodate voters with various needs. These changes are part of Virginia’s broader effort to improve safety and inclusivity across the state. 
  • Washington: In Washington state, new laws include progressive measures such as allowing individuals without status to receive professional licenses, provided they meet all other licensure requirements. This change aims to integrate more residents into the workforce, fostering economic growth and inclusion. Another significant law enables victims to take civil action against individuals who non-consensually remove sexually protective devices during sexual activity, aiming to protect bodily autonomy and consent. Furthermore, updates to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program now allow families with children under two years old to receive extended assistance, supporting vulnerable households more effectively. These laws reflect Washington’s commitment to enhancing rights and support for all its residents. 

For The Youth: 

  • The World Around Young Climate Prize (Deadline: July 31, 2024): Apply for the World Around Young Climate Prize which supports young designers and activists addressing the climate crisis, pairing them with international mentors to accelerate their impact. This prize aims to empower young individuals who are uniquely positioned to tackle climate-related challenges, fostering their initiatives with guidance and support from experienced mentors in the international design community. The program offers networking opportunities and exposure to a global audience, enhancing the participants’ ability to create significant environmental change. 
  • USAID Payne International Development Fellowship Program (Deadline: August 15, 2024): Apply for the the USAID Payne Fellowship Program, which offers graduate students the opportunity to pursue a career in international development and foreign service. The fellowship provides funding for graduate education, professional development, and mentorship, aiming to develop a diverse cadre of USAID Foreign Service Officers. The program includes summer internships in Washington, D.C., and at USAID missions abroad, providing hands-on experience in international development. 

Resources: 

  • National Voter Registration Day: The National Voter Registration Day website offers state-specific guides for organizing voter registration drives. These guides, created by Nonprofit VOTE and the Fair Elections Center, provide detailed rules and regulations for each state. They aim to help organizations plan effective voter registration events while ensuring compliance with local election laws. For the most accurate and current information, users are encouraged to consult their state or local elections office. 
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