DC Youth and Young Adult Update 03-14-2025

By NYEC | March 14, 2025

 

 

 

 

  • News at NYEC:  
    • Join the National Youth Employment Coalition’s 2025 Annual Forum- Empowering Youth, Transforming Communities, in Minneapolis, MN, from May 12-14, 2025! This event will gather practitioners, youth advocates, and community leaders to explore key topics like youth leadership, holistic supports, living wage employment, and policy & advocacy.  
    • Fill out a 6-month Federal Advocacy Calendar! Interested in being more engaged in federal advocacy? The hyperlinked title will direct you to a JotForm that lists concrete steps that you can take in the first 6 months of the year to build a relationship with your Members of Congress! NYEC will make it easy to complete each goal of every month by sharing support, reminders, and more!  
    • House Passes Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Bill, Senate to Vote this Afternoon: The U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 1968, the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, sending the bill to the Senate. The bill includes cuts to the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Services funding by more than $300 million. Though the bill does not specify where some of these cuts will be, it lists cuts to the national programs section, which includes key programs that NYEC supports, such as YouthBuild and the Reentry Employment Opportunities program, and eliminates funding to the Evaluation and Research activities. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that he will vote in favor of the bill, which will be up for voting this afternoon. The Senate Democratic Caucus is divided in supporting the bill.     

    Legislative Branch:  

    • 119th Congressional Committee Updates: 
    • Senate Commerce Committee Approves 14 Bills and Advances Two Nominations: The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee advanced 14 bills and two nominations, Mark Meador to be a Federal Trade Commissioner and Michael Kratsios to be the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. The approved legislation covers a wide swath of the Commerce Committee’s broad jurisdiction, including, oceans, space exploration, consumer protection, semiconductor manufacturing, and industrial supply chains.  
    • Senate Confirms Lori Chavez-DeRemer as Secretary of Labor: The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Lori Chavez-DeRemer as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor by a final vote of 67 to 32. The HELP Committee previously approved her nomination by a bipartisan vote of 14 to 9. Chavez-DeRemer’s support of the PRO Act in her time as Oregon’s 5th congressional district representative led to bipartisan agreement of her nomination. The PRO Act is a proposed law that aims to expand labor protections related to employees’ rights to organize and collectively bargain. It restores the right of workers to freely and fairly form a union and authorizes monetary damages for illegally fired workers.  

    Executive Branch:  

    • U.S. Department of Education Initiates Reduction in Force: The Department of Education initiated a reduction in force (RIF) impacting nearly 50% of the Department’s workforce. Impacted Department staff will be placed on administrative leave beginning Friday, March 21st. All divisions within the Department are impacted by the reduction, with some divisions requiring significant reorganization. When President Trump was inaugurated, the Department’s workforce stood at 4,133 workers. After today’s actions, the Department’s workforce will total roughly 2,183 workers.  

    From The States: 

    • Washington: While youth employment in Washington has increased, so have labor law violations. Teens are being overworked, working late, and performing dangerous tasks. Last year, 750 underage workers reported on-the-job injuries, according to the state’s Department of Labor & Industries. 
    • Florida: Over 172,000 disabled individuals in Hillsborough County rely on aging caregivers, creating a precarious situation for their future. Housing, already a major challenge in Florida, is even more critical for those with developmental disabilities. The rising cost of living, increasing lifespans, and scarce housing options demand urgent solutions. 

    For The Youth: 

    • A360 Fellowship Program
      Eligibility: Global
      Description: A comprehensive six-month program combining a 13-week youth development foundation with practical leadership training for aspiring changemakers.
      Link: Apply here 

    Deadline: March 18th 

    • Global Youth Climate Training
      Eligibility: Global (ages 16-35)
      Description: A free online program that builds your understanding and ability to participate in international climate action.
      Link: Apply here 
    • The National Youth Employment Coalition is now accepting applications and referrals for the 2025 Youth Advisory Council (YAC)! This is a chance for young people (14-26) to actively shape policy and ensure youth perspectives are heard in decision-making. 
    • Why Apply? 
    • Gain leadership and advocacy experience 
    • Collaborate with peers and professionals nationwide 
    • Receive a stipend for your contributions over a 9-month term 
    • Make a referral or complete the application HERE by March 21st. 

    Resources:  

    • Six Ways to Advocate for Affordable Housing: Influencing housing policy is simpler than you think. No matter your location or advocacy experience, you can make a difference. Partner with Habitat for Humanity and contribute to affordable housing solutions globally. 
    • Eight Ways You Can Advance Justice Reform: Since the peak of mass incarceration in 2008, the aggregate jail and prison population in the United States has decreased by 21 percent. However, approximately two million individuals remain detained across various carceral facilities. This exceptionally high incarceration rate, a global outlier, is attributable to systemic injustices that disproportionately affect Black and impoverished populations. 

         Federal Funding Opportunities with upcoming deadlines:

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