Youth & Young Adult Policy Update 01-23-26

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!  

• Support the Bipartisan Opportunity Youth Caucus!: We invite your organization to sign on to a coalition support letter backing the establishment of the Bipartisan Opportunity Youth Caucus (BOYC), a bipartisan effort led by Congressman Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) and Congressman Troy Carter (D-LA) to elevate federal attention to the needs of opportunity youth and the programs that serve them! Organizations can add their name to the letter by completing this form by Friday, January 30th.  

Legislative Branch:   

• House Passes FY26 Appropriations Bill: The House passed the FY26 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) appropriations bill as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, advancing negotiations on full-year federal funding ahead of the January 30 deadline. The LHHS bill outlines discretionary funding levels for education and workforce programs, level funding several programs serving opportunity youth, including WIOA Youth, Apprenticeship, and Job Corps, while proposing cuts to the Reentry Employment Opportunities and McKinney-Vento programs. The legislation now awaits Senate consideration as bicameral negotiations continue, with the possibility of another short-term continuing resolution if final agreement is not reached by the January 30th deadline. 

• HELP Committee Chair Cassidy Requests Stakeholder Feedback on Improving Students’ Academic Growth: Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, is requesting information from parents and other stakeholders on how students’ academic success in K-12 schools is measured. Read the full request here. Feedback and comments can be directed to K12Growth@help.senate.gov by Friday, February 13, 2026. 

Executive Branch: 

• Secretary Chavez-DeRemer Meets with Apprentices, Construction Workers During ‘America at Work’ Tour: U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer stopped in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska as she nears the end of her 50-state “America at Work” listening tour, meeting with construction workers, business leaders, local officials, healthcare workers, and apprentices. She plans to utilize the insights from the listening tour to inform future DOL strategies.  

Federal Funding Opportunities with upcoming deadlines: 

• DOL Grant: YouthBuild 2025: DOL will award grants through a competitive process to eligible public or private non-profit organizations or Tribal entities to provide pre-apprenticeship occupational skills training, education, and job placement services to opportunity youth. YouthBuild prepares participants for quality jobs in various industry sectors, and includes wrap-around supportive services such as assistance in transportation, childcare, and housing. Applications are due March 2, 2026. 

• Forecasted DOL Grant: Pay-for-Performance Incentive Payments Program (PfP IPP): The Pay-for-Performance Incentive Payments Program will focus on incentivizing the expansion and growth of the National Apprenticeship System, specifically in industries with a firmly established program infrastructure that will make a significant contribution to the Administration’s goal of exceeding 1 million active apprentices. Applications are estimated to be due March 20, 2026. 

From the States: 

• Maryland: Maryland has launched the Youth Mental Health Corps to train and deploy young adults as near-peer mental health supporters, expanding access to services for students while building a pipeline into behavioral health careers. The initiative places Corps members in schools and community organizations to help meet rising youth mental health needs and strengthen support networks. 

• Georgia: Georgia state Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick says a recent study committee report on youth aging out of foster care will inform proposed reforms in the 2026 legislative session, even though it did not include specific policy changes or funding sources. The committee’s work highlights ongoing gaps in services and the need for legislative action to better support foster youth as they transition to adulthood. 

Resources: 

• National Apprenticeship Summit: The Apprenticeships for America Summit is a national gathering of practitioners, policymakers, and workforce leaders focused on expanding apprenticeship opportunities and shaping the future of apprenticeship policy and practice. Over several days in Washington, D.C., the summit features plenaries, workshops, and networking sessions on apprenticeship growth, equity, and connection to emerging industries. 

• Extended Foster Care Improves Youth Outcomes: Extended foster care allows young people to remain connected to housing, financial support, and caring adults as they transition into adulthood. Research shows that youth who stay in care longer experience better outcomes in education, employment, and overall stability.