DC Youth and Young Adult Update 8-09-2024

• 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 this month, so reserve your spot now! 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 Endorses the Generation Now Representation Workforce Act, Introduced by Senators Laphonza Butler (D-CA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA): The Generation Now Workforce Representation Act would amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to increase youth representation and voice within state workforce boards. Specifically, it would mandate that each State workforce development board include at least one opportunity youth representative, require Boards to include representation from youth-serving nonprofit organizations, and would establish youth workforce committees within each State board to provide ongoing recommendations on youth-focused workforce investment activities. NYEC is excited to endorse the bill and was quoted in the hyperlinked press release from Senator Butler. 

Legislative Branch: 

• The Senate Committee on Appropriations Approves the Fiscal Year 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill: The appropriations bill increases funding for apprenticeship programs, YouthBuild, AmeriCorps State and National, and juvenile justice programs compared to FY24 funding levels. This appropriations bill is a large improvement compared to the House LHHS Appropriations Bill, which proposed significant cuts, and in some instances, eliminations, to key programs that serve OY. 

• Representative Susie Lee (D-NV) Introduces a Bill to Establish a Grant Program to Support the Creation of Registered Apprenticeship Programs in Cybersecurity: Along with Representative Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA) as cosponsor, the bill was introduced to create a program with the Department of Labor to create, implement and expand registered apprenticeship programs in cybersecurity. The apprenticeships will provide valuable skills and hands-on career experience in the cybersecurity field. The bill has been referred to the House Education and Workforce Committee. 

• Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) Introduces a Bill to Amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to Address the Economic and Workforce Impacts of Substance Use Disorder: Alongside Representative Rick Larsen (D-WA) as cosponsor, the bill aims to amend WIOA to address the impacts of substance use disorder on economic and workforce outcomes. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. 

• Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) Introduces a Bill to Amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Regarding Native American Programs: The bill intends to change aspects of Native American programs embedded in WIOA. The bill has been referred to the Senate committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. 

• Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) Introduces a Bill to Create a Federal Grant Program for State Libraries to Allow Schools with Summer Lunch Programs to Stay Open for Student Use in the Summer: Along with Senator Richard Blumental (D-CT), Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Senator Cory A. Booker (D-NJ) as cosponsors, the bill intends to create a federal grant program to provide grants to allow schools with summer lunch programs to keep libraries open for student use during the summer. The bill has been referred to the Senate committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. 

• Senator Christopher Murphy (D-CT) Introduces a Bill to Establish a Summer for All Program: The bill will establish a Summer For All program through summer enrichment expansion grants and summer programming state grants. The bill has been referred to the Senate committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. 

 

Executive Branch: 

• The Department of Labor Will Host a Public Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Apprenticeships: The Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor announced that the Advisory Committee on Apprenticeships (ACA) will meet on Thursday, September 12, 2024. The meeting will include discussions on general apprenticeship updates, state and local panels featuring registered apprenticeships initiatives and a period for public comment.  

• The Department of Education Will Host the Strengthening Whole Child Communities: Raising the Bar from Cradle to Career Summit in Detroit, Michigan: The Department of Education will host this convening with policymakers, practitioners, advocates, youth and community organizations to discuss how education can best be a major pillar of socioeconomic mobility and opportunity for low-income youth and their families. The discussion will uplift examples of how schools and communities are enhancing pre-natal to career pathways for students. 

• The Department of Labor Will Host a Workforce Information Advisory Council Meeting: The Employment and Training Administration will host an in-person convening of the Workforce Information Advisory Council on September 9-10, 2024, in Arlington, VA.  The council will discuss previous recommendations and topics for future consideration relating to new approaches for workforce development policy.  

• The Department of Education Issues a Priority and Definition of the Transitioning Gang-Involved Youth to Higher Education Program: The program aims to provide funding to organizations working with justice involved youth to help them pursue higher education.  

Federal Funding Opportunities: 

• The Department of Health and Human Services Seeks Funding Applicants for the Improving Adolescent Health and Well-Being Through School-Based Surveillance and the What Works in Schools Program: This funding opportunity intends to support schools in implementing the CDC’s What Works in Schools Program. The approach has been successful in connecting students with mental health services and creating supportive environments. The program has been associated with a decrease in violence, substance abuse, and emotional distress in youth. Applications are due April 1st, 2025.  

• The Department of Education Seeks Funding Applicants for the Transitioning Gang-Involved Youth to Higher Education Program: The funding aims to support organizations that work directly with gang-involved youth to help them pursue higher education opportunities. Applications are due September 30th, 2024.  

• The Department of Housing and Urban Development Seeks Funding Applicants for the Continuum of Care Competition and Renewal or Replacement of Youth Homeless Demonstration Program Grants: The Continuum of Care Program aims to promote a community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness, and provide funding to nonprofit organizations, state and local governments and public housing agencies to rehouse families, youth and individuals experiencing homelessness. Applications are due August 29th, 2025.  

• The Department of Labor Announces $45M in Funds Available to Improve Employment Opportunities for Young People Affected by Violence and Poverty: The funds will provide skills training and work-based learning, educational services and employment support to young adults impacted by violence and poverty. This Reentry Employment Opportunities Program funding will aid young people in overcoming systemic barriers that they face and support their pathways into high quality jobs. This funding will be administered by the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration as part of the Youth Employment Works Strategy. Applications are due October 15, 2024.  

From The States: 

• Massachusetts: With about three months until the November election, the Committee for High Standards Not High Stakes promoted a website and a recent survey that indicates a slim majority supports their campaign (Yes on Question 2).  The proposed ballot issue would substitute completing coursework that satisfies state requirements for the requirement that students pass the English, math, and science portions of the 10th grade MCAS exam to graduate from high school. Business associations and nonprofit organizations are among the opponents of the proposal, arguing that maintaining MCAS as a graduation requirement is essential to maintaining statewide standards across school districts and serving as an indicator of college preparedness. 

For The Youth: 

• BCG’s Growing Future Leaders Internship Program (Deadline: September 11th, 2024): BCG’s Growing Future Leaders Internship Program is now open for applications from Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Indigenous/Native American/Alaska Native sophomore students. This immersive 10-week program is designed to help you develop your skills and prepare for leadership roles in consulting. 

Resources: 

• National Voter Registration Day: The National Voter Registration Day website provides state-specific guides for organizing voter registration drives. Developed by Nonprofit VOTE and the Fair Elections Center, these guides offer detailed rules and regulations for each state. They aim to assist organizations in planning effective voter registration events while ensuring compliance with local election laws. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, users are encouraged to consult their state or local elections office. 

• Funding Bold Ideas for Youth Mental Health in 12 Countries: The Being Initiative is thrilled to announce funding opportunities for innovative projects focused on enhancing youth mental health and wellbeing in 12 countries: Colombia, Ecuador, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Pakistan, Romania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Vietnam. If you have a bold idea that tackles the early drivers of mental health challenges for underserved young people aged 10-24, they want to hear from you.