DC Youth and Young Adult Update 12-19-25

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.  
• NYEC Releases New Policy Recommendations: NYEC has released a new policy report, Strengthening Partnerships Between Employers and Youth Workforce Practitioners. Developed by our Federal Policy Team and Policy Committee, the report outlines field-informed federal policy recommendations to improve collaboration between employers and youth workforce practitioners to better connect opportunity youth to employment pathways. These recommendations are shaped by insights from practitioners, employers, and youth voices to inform policymakers on how federal policy can better support effective employer engagement to support opportunity youth!     

Legislative Branch:   

• Warnock and Marshall Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Workforce Pipeline: U.S. Senators Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Roger Marshall (R-KA) introduced the bipartisan Pathways to Prosperity Act. The bill focuses on strengthening the nation’s workforce development pipeline by bridging the gap between community and technical colleges and local industry via career training and apprenticeship programs that allow students to earn while they learn. The full bill text can be found here.  

Executive Branch: 

• Department of Education Advances Workforce Pell Rules Toward Public Comment: The Department of Education’s negotiated rule-making panel has signed off on draft regulations to implement the new Workforce Pell program, which would expand Pell Grant eligibility to short-term, in-demand training programs starting July 1, 2026. The panel reached agreements on several core provisions, but concerns about eligibility criteria, accountability measures, and data requirements remain. Soon, the Department will publish the draft regulations in the Federal Register for public comment. 

• Department of Education Launches $15 Million Challenge to Create the Next Generation of Talent Marketplaces: The U.S. Department of Education announced the launch of the Connecting Talent to Opportunity Challenge, a national call to action to strengthen connections between learners and earners. The initiative aims to accelerate the development of integrated, statewide Talent Marketplaces that better align education, credentials, and workforce needs. Beginning in January 2026, the Department invites state Governors, in collaboration with Perkins, adult education, and workforce partners, to build or scale these Talent Marketplaces.  

• Departments of Labor, Agriculture Announce Effort to Streamline Job Opportunities and Training for SNAP Participants: The Departments of Labor and Agriculture announced a new Memorandum of Understanding focused on expanding skills training and employment opportunities for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants.  

Federal Funding Opportunities with upcoming deadlines: 

• 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: 

• Delaware: The Delaware Department of Labor is launching the Delaware Youth Workforce Connect Call, a monthly virtual series connecting community partners and state agencies that support youth workers. The series focuses on empowering Delaware youth ages 14–17, with the first session on August 21, 2025 

• Utah: This article highlights Utah’s SB 122 as an example of how successful youth apprenticeship pilots can gain legislative traction and be scaled into policy. It shows how the state is working to align agencies and build a coordinated, statewide apprenticeship system. 

Resources: 

• How States Can Complement Workforce Pell with Smart Aid Design: This article provides ways in which state policymakers can provide workforce aid that effectively complements Workforce Pell. Practices that include integrating student support into workforce aid design, ensuring financial aid reached students who need it, and applying quality criteria to students who need it. 

• Subgrant Opportunity for Direct Service Providers: In response to the DOL Employment and Training Administration (ETA)’s Growth Opportunities, FHI 360’s National Institute for learning is looking for organizations to partner with as direct service role. The grant supports justice involved youth and young adults prepare for the workforce through education, training, paid work experience, and more.