Youth & Young Adult Policy Update 02-6-2026

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!  

• NYEC Supports the Bipartisan Opportunity Youth Caucus Launch: This week, NYEC’s Federal Policy Team was on Capitol Hill supporting the launch of the Bipartisan Opportunity Youth Caucus (BOYC)! As co-chair of the National Opportunity Youth Coalition, NYEC is working with 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 through the Caucus. 

Legislative Branch:   

• House Education and Workforce Committee Holds Hearing on Adopting AI at Work: On February 3, Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee held the second hearing in a series examining artificial intelligence, titled “Building an AI-Ready America: Adopting AI at Work.”  

The full hearing can be viewed here. 

• FY26 Appropriations Signed Into Law: On February 3, Congress passed and President Trump signed the FY 2026 appropriations package to fund the federal government through September 30, 2026. After negotiations, Congress opted to sustain youth workforce development programs such as WIOA Youth, Apprenticeship, and Job Corps at or near prior year funding. Funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was excluded from the full-year package and instead extended through a short-term, two-week continuing resolution to allow additional negotiations. 

Executive Branch: 

No new Executive Branch updates. 

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: 

• Kentucky: OCTC and the Boys & Girls Club have introduced a Youth Workforce Academy designed to help young people explore careers and build confidence in the workplace. The program offers hands-on learning and mentorship to support youth as they plan their next steps. 

• New York: NYC youth can now apply for the 2026 Summer Youth Employment Program, which connects thousands of young people to paid summer jobs. The program helps participants build work skills, earn money, and gain experience that can shape their future paths. 

Resources: 

• Changes to SNAP Eligibility Begin: States are beginning to implement expanded work requirements for SNAP benefits, with new rules set to take effect in the coming months that will tighten eligibility for many low-income adults. The changes mark a significant shift in how food assistance is administered and could impact millions of recipients as states adjust their policies and enforcement timelines. 

• Clarifying the Role of Employer Intermediaries: Strada Education Foundation presents a framework that clarifies the role of employer intermediaries in workforce and education systems. It explains how intermediaries support employers and training providers and why their work matters for workforce outcomes.