DC Youth and Young Adult Update 12-12-25

News at NYEC:  

• Join NYEC in Houston, TX for Rooted in Action: 2026 Annual Forum! The National Youth Employment Coalition will head to Houston, TX from March 30 – April 1, 2026 for our annual convening of 450+ direct service providers, practitioners, community leaders, employers, and young adults. Across three days, participants will cultivate connections; share innovative strategies, proven practices, and community-driven solutions; and explore how collective strength, perseverance, and action can drive meaningful, systemic change.  

Join us as we work together to increase opportunity and improve education and employment outcomes for all young people! 

• Submit a proposal to present at the Annual Forum! We’re looking for sessions that offer practical tools, real-world examples, and bold ideas for strengthening opportunities for young people and the systems that support them. Proposals with multiple speakers (including panels) are highly encouraged! Learn more HERE. Proposals due December 15th! 

Legislative Branch:   

• House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Holds Hearing on How LERs Empower Workers and Expand Opportunity: Chairman Burgess Owens (R-UT) held a hearing titled “Building a Talent Marketplace: How LERs Empower Workers and Expand Opportunity.” A recap can be found here and the full hearing can be viewed here.  

• Sanders and HELP Committee Democrats Call on Chairman Cassidy to Hold Hearing on Trump’s Efforts to Dismantle Education Department: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) along with all HELP Committee Democrats, called on Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-LA) to hold an immediate oversight hearing with Education Secretary Linda McMahon regarding the transfer of dozens of federally authorized education programs totaling more than $30 billion out of the Education Department.  

• Senate Subcommittee on Education & the American Family Holds Hearing on Workforce Development: The Senate Subcommittee on Education & the American Family held a hearing titled “Building Pathways: Advancing Workforce Development in the 21st Century.” The full hearing can be viewed here. 

Executive Branch: 

• The White House Hosts Third AI Education Task Force Meeting with Educators and Parents: Assistant to the President and OSTP Director Michael Kratsios chaired the third White House Artificial Intelligence (AI) Education Task Force meeting with cabinet officials, educators, and parents to discuss AI’s impact in the classroom. This Task Force meeting builds upon President Trump’s Executive Order on Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth, and America’s AI Action Plan. 

• U.S. Department of Education Awards Over $208 Million in Mental Health Grants: The U.S. Department of Education announced over $208 million in new grant awards for the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration and School-Based Mental Health programs.  

Federal Funding Opportunities with upcoming deadlines: 

• HHS Grant: National Center on Head Start Early Learning, Health and Family Engagement: The Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start announces the availability of approximately $15,000,000 to be competitively awarded for the purpose of operating the Head Start National Center on Early Learning, Health, and Family Engagement. This NC will provide training and technical assistance that reflects current evidence, is research-informed, and promotes best practices. Applications are due December 15, 2025. 

• HUD Grant: FY 2025 Continuum of Care Competition and Youth Homeless Demonstration Program Grants: The Continuum of Care (CoC) Program is designed to promote a community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness, provide funding for these efforts, and optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Applications are due January 14, 2026. 

From the States: 

• Massachusetts: The Healey-Driscoll Administration launched the Youth Employment Gateway Cities Learning Community Pilot, awarding $75,000 to support innovative strategies for youth engagement, employer partnerships, and career readiness across Massachusetts. 

• Maryland: The Kahlert Foundation has awarded a $30,000 grant to Health Tech Alley to expand its Youth Data Science Apprenticeship Program, with a focus on serving youth and people of color in Howard County and surrounding communities. This investment will help strengthen pathways into high-growth data science careers by providing hands-on training, mentorship, and real-world project experience for emerging young talent. 

Resources: 

• National Call to Action for Scaling Registered Apprenticeship: This report collectively written by Apprenti, the SHRM Foundation, and the Learn & Work Ecosystem Library makes the case for why apprenticeships matter now more than ever to strategic workforce planning. It provides information on opportunities for employers, the rising public demand, and strategies for building momentum. 

• COC Program NOFO Full Analysis: This brief by the National Alliance to End Homelessness provides an overview of the new COC NOFO. The brief provides a funding overview, the top 10 NOFO changes, and the new FY2025 Policy Priorities.