DC Youth and Young Adult Update 03-21-2025

By NYEC | March 21, 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!  
  • Congress Passes Continuing Appropriations Bill: Congress has passed, and President Trump has signed into law, legislation funding the government through the end of September. After a deeply contentious week in Washington, the Senate passed the bill 54-46. NYEC previously reported uncertainty about potential cuts in the bill directed at Congressionally Directed Spending, also known as “earmarks.” It is now assumed that all federal programs will be funded at the same levels as FY24. NYEC will continue to track and report out the fiscal impacts of the bill.  

Legislative Branch:  

  • Senate HELP Chair Bill Cassidy Plans to Introduce Legislation to Dismantle the Department of Education: U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), released a statement on President Trump’s executive order to reform the Department of Education. “I agree with President Trump that the Department of Education has failed its mission,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Since the Department can only be shut down with congressional approval, I will support the President’s goals by submitting legislation to accomplish this as soon as possible.” 

Executive Branch:  

  • President Trump Signs Executive Order to Dismantle the Department of Education: The Executive Order directs the Secretary of Education to take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education. The Order also directs that programs or activities receiving any remaining Department of Education funds will not advance DEI or gender ideology. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon released this statement in support of the President’s action. The full Executive Order can be found here. 

From The States: 

  • Texas: Nearly 500,000 young Texans are neither in school nor working, even as the demand for a skilled workforce continues to rise—by 2030, more than 60% of jobs in Texas will require postsecondary education or training.  In response, Gov. Abbott has made career training a legislative priority, and the state is investing $80 million in youth programs for 2025. Senate Bill 1143 and House Bill 3173 propose key reforms to improve impact: increasing transparency, requiring strategic local plans for opportunity youth, and strengthening coordination across systems to better prepare young Texans for the workforce.
  • Iowa: Workforce development professionals in Central Iowa now have a powerful tool: the Capital Crossroads Workforce Development Ecosystem Map. Developed by Capital Crossroads and the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s DSM Workforce Collaborative, this interactive map provides a clear visual of organizations, programs, and resources across Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties, simplifying navigation. 

For The Youth: 

  • Neurodiversity Virtual Career Fair
    Description: Connect with leading employers nationwide who value neurodiversity and are actively seeking talented individuals like you! This online recruiting event provides a supportive and accessible platform for young jobseekers to explore career opportunities, network with recruiters, and showcase their unique skills. Discover inclusive workplaces that embrace diverse perspectives and empower you to thrive.
    Date: March 26th, 2025 
  • Volunteer Opportunities Fair
    Description: A free online program that builds your understanding and ability to participate in international climate action. 

Date: April 2nd, 2025

Description: Supports students pursuing careers in public service with financial aid, travel experiences, mentorship, and leadership programming.  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 TONIGHT 

Resources:  

  • How to Advocate for Affordable Housing: Don’t underestimate your ability to influence housing policy. From your own community to the wider world, you can create real change. Collaborate with Habitat for Humanity and help build a future where everyone has access to affordable housing. 
  • How To Advance Juvenile Justice Reform: Despite a 21 percent decline in the U.S. jail and prison population since its 2008 peak, the nation still holds approximately two million individuals in custody. This exceptionally high rate of incarceration, a global anomaly, stems from systemic inequities that heavily burden Black and impoverished populations. 

Federal Funding Opportunities with upcoming deadlines: 

No new federal funding opportunities 

Previously Shared  

  • DOJ Grant: Building a Community of Practice for Women in Strategic Trade: This grant exists to create a professional network and community of practice to advance women working in strategic trade through sustained mentorship. Experienced international strategic trade experts and practitioners will guide early- or mid-career women in the strategic trade field through a sustained six-month mentorship. Applications are due March 25, 2025. 
  • DOJ Grant: BJA FY25 STOP School Violence Program: This funding opportunity aims to support school safety by implementing solutions to enhance school climate, establish school-based behavioral threat assessment and intervention teams to identify violence risks, introduce technologies like anonymous reporting tools, and apply other evidence-based strategies to prevent violence. Applications are due March 27, 2025. 
  • DOJ Grant: BJA FY25 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program: This funding opportunity seeks to fund programs that support collaborations to improve public safety responses and outcomes for people with mental health disorders (MHDs) or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders (MHSUDs). The goal is to improve safety and well-being for adults with MHDs (including people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)) or MHSUDs who come into contact with the criminal justice system. Applications are due April 3, 2025. 
  • DOJ Grant: OVW Fiscal Year 2025 Grants to Indian Tribal Governments Program: The Grants to Indian Tribal Governments Program, referred to as the Tribal Governments Program, assists Tribal governments (or their authorized designees) to respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and stalking in Tribal communities. Applications are due April 8, 2025.  
  • DOJ Grant: NIJ FY25 Graduate Research Fellowship: This funding opportunity seeks to support doctoral students whose dissertation research is relevant to preventing and controlling crime, advancing knowledge of victimization and effective victim services, or ensuring the fair and impartial administration of criminal or juvenile justice in the United States. Applications are due April 15, 2025.  
  • USDA Grant: Community Connect Grant Program: The Community Connect Grant Program provides financial assistance to eligible applicants that will provide service at or above the Broadband Grant Speed (100 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up) to all premises in rural, economically-challenged communities where broadband service (10 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up) does not exist. Applications due April 21, 2025. 

 

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