DC Youth and Young Adult Update 03-28-2025

By NYEC | March 28, 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.  
  • NYEC Workshop: Join NYEC and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for a 2-part workshop series focused on supporting youth at risk of or experiencing homelessness: On Thursday, April 10th Youth Homelessness Resources, Part 1: What’s Out There will feature Juanita N. Perry and Caroline Crouse (HUD) and provide a broad overview of terminology and HUD programs supporting youth experiencing homelessness, including the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) and Youth Homelessness System Improvement (YHSI) grant program. Register here. 
  • 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!  

Legislative Branch:  

  • 119th Congressional Committee Updates: 
  • Congressmen Smucker and Mackenzie Introduce H.R.2465: Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) and Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07) introduced H.R.2465 to amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to clarify the procedures regarding the eligibility of online providers of training services. They claim that this legislation will make federal workforce development programs more accessible to individuals seeking flexible online training and upskilling opportunities. The full bill text has not yet been released, but can be tracked here. 

 Executive Branch:  

No new Executive Branch actions relating to Opportunity Youth. 

From The States: 

  • Maine: Legislation has been proposed to permit 16-year-olds to work in family logging businesses under parental supervision, mirroring existing farm labor laws. The measure, supported by the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast, aims to foster early career development and safeguard small logging businesses facing industry challenges. According to Dana Doran, the trade group’s executive director, congressional action is crucial for the industry’s future. 
  • Alaska: With winter’s arrival, Anchorage reflects on the enduring impact of the Youth Employment in Parks (YEP) program, now entering its 19th year. This past summer, 25 local teens dedicated 10 weeks to enhancing the city’s parks and trails, undertaking vital habitat restoration and trail construction projects that will benefit the community for years to come. 

For Youth: 

  • SEED SPOT Youth Entrepreneurship Program
    Description: SEED SPOT’s Youth Entrepreneurship Program empowers underrepresented youth, recognizing their potential to become impactful entrepreneurs. This initiative cultivates diverse, future leaders by providing them with the tools and confidence to transform their passions into ventures that address pressing community issues, ultimately shaping their career trajectories. 
  • 19 Resources for Young Entrepreneurs
    Description: The initial stages of entrepreneurship present young business leaders with numerous hurdles. Navigating these challenges without proper guidance and resources can be daunting. Fortunately, a wealth of accessible resources, including industry-specific programs, online platforms, and in-person events, exists to equip new entrepreneurs with the knowledge and support necessary for smooth business operations. 19 Forbes Business Council members further contribute to this support by sharing their recommended mentorship and advice resources. 

Federal Funding Opportunities with upcoming deadlines: 

No new federal funding opportunities 

Previously Shared  

  • 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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