POLICY UPDATE 7-10-26

July 10, 2026 |

News at NYEC

Registration is Open: NYEC’s DC Summit in Washington, DC – September 21–23! Formerly known as Youth Days, this is our convening that brings together practitioners, youth leaders, and partners to demonstrate the importance of investing in young people and the programs that support them. Early Bird registration ends July 15!

Legislative Branch

  • Nomination Hearing for Keith Sonderling: On July 16th, 2026, at 10:00 am, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will hold a nomination hearing to consider and question Keith Sonderling for the position of U.S. Secretary of Labor. U.S. Secretary of Labor. Mr. Sonderling currently serves as the Acting Secretary of Labor.
  • Chairman Walberg Introduces Less Bureaucracy, Better Workforce Development Act: House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) introduced H.R.9607, the Less Bureaucracy, Better Workforce Development Act, aimed at streamlining federal education and workforce programs by reducing “unnecessary” bureaucracy and ensuring responsibilities are handled by agencies best equipped to carry them out.  
  • Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Support Transformative Financing Tools for Students: Senators Todd Young (R-IN), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced the Outcomes-Based Financing for Students Act, which expands access to innovative financing options for students pursuing postsecondary education and workforce training while establishing strong consumer protections to safeguard participants. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Representatives Erin Houchin (R-IN) and Ritchie Torres (D-NY). 
  • Senators Introduce Bill to Uplift Direct Care Workforce: Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Tina Smith (D-MN), Kristen E. Gillibrand (D-NY), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Margaret Wood Hassan (D-NH), and Jack Reed (D-RI) introduced S.4889, a bill to award grants for the creation, recruitment, training and education, retention, and advancement of the direct care workforce and to award grants to support family caregivers. 

Executive Branch

  • U.S. Department of Labor Awards $162 Million to Expand Registered Apprenticeships: On July 7, the U.S. Department of Labor announced nearly $162 million in performance-based grants to expand Registered Apprenticeship programs in key industries, including shipbuilding, defense, information technology, telecommunications, automotive, and emerging technologies. The funding will support organizations that increase apprentice enrollment, retention, and completion while strengthening workforce pipelines and preparing more Americans for high-demand careers. 
  • U.S. Department of Education Highlights Workforce Pell Grants and Student Loan Changes: On July 1, the U.S. Department of Education released a fact sheet outlining new higher education provisions under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. The changes expand access to Workforce Pell Grants for eligible short-term job training programs, simplify federal student loan repayment options, and aim to increase affordable pathways to workforce credentials and in-demand careers. 

From the States

  • Alabama: Callan JMB Inc. and Alabama State University announced a new partnership to expand workforce development, research, and career pathways through the company’s planned Atlas Complex pharmaceutical campus. The collaboration will provide students with internships, hands-on training, and academic opportunities in fields such as biotechnology, pharmaceutical manufacturing, healthcare logistics, and supply chain management while strengthening Alabama’s workforce pipeline. 
  • New Jersey: The New Jersey Department of Education is highlighting new resources to help schools reduce student disconnection by improving attendance and reengaging chronically absent students. The initiative encourages schools to identify attendance issues early, partner with families and community organizations, and provide targeted support to keep students connected to school, improve academic success, and reduce dropout risk. 
  • Ohio: Hancock County’s workforce development initiatives received multiple state grants through Ohio’s Industry Sector Partnership Grant Program to strengthen regional talent pipelines and connect more residents to in-demand careers. The funding will support collaborations among employers, educators, and workforce organizations to expand career pathways, address workforce needs, and promote long-term economic growth.  

Resources

  • BlackRock Future Builders RFP: The BlackRock Foundation is offering $500,000–$1,000,000 grants (about 10–15 awards) to support high impact innovations that help close the skilled trades labor gap as part of its $100M Future Builders initiative. The grants run for two years and are open to organizations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Applications are due July 10, 2026, 11:59 PM 
  • OpenAI Foundation: 2026 People-First AI Fund: The OpenAI Foundation is accepting applications for its 2026 People-First AI Fund, which has committed $50 million in unrestricted grants to support community-based nonprofits exploring how AI can strengthen their missions and communities. The fund prioritizes organizations working in three areas: community support services, community arts and cultural organizations, and community journalism and media. Eligible organizations must be US-based 501(c)(3)s with annual operating budgets between $500,000 and $10 million and must demonstrate deep community trust and genuine interest in learning about or experimenting with AI. Applications are due July 15. 
  • AI Workforce Technology Grant from Draper Richards Kaplan Foundatin and NextLadder Ventures: Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation in partnership with NextLadder Ventures launched its Navigation Technology Initiative, providing catalytic capital and hands-on support to early-stage organizations using technology and AI to help low-income Americans navigate economic opportunities and challenges. The initiative is focused on housing access, benefits access, health access, workforce mobility, and financial stability. Awardees receive $300,000 in capital (equity investment or grant), up to $500,000 in in-kind support, and access to NLV’s network of co-investors and policy partners. Most awardees will be post-revenue with between $600K and $3M in annualized revenue or committed funding. Founder proximity to the population being served is a strong priority. They will invest in both for-profits, and 501(c)(3) s. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Federal Funding Opportunities

  • Forecasted HHS Grant: The Primary Prevention Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program: This funding opportunity provides funding to identify and implement strategies and services for youth and young adults between ages 12 and 26 in order to prevent homelessness, including strategies designed to serve youth and young adult populations with a high likelihood of experiencing homelessness, housing instability, particularly among youth at risk of human trafficking; struggling with substance abuse or mental health concerns; or transitioning out of foster care, the juvenile justice system, or a residential behavioral health system. Applications are due July 22, 2026 
  • Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Round 7: A Grant Initiative for the Appalachian, Delta, and Northern Border Regions:  Provides $2 million to qualifying organizations including school boards, nonprofits, etc. Within the WORC region of the United States. Funds are coming from the Employment and Training Administration. Applications are due July 23, 2026. 
  • HUD Grant: Youth Homelessness Grant for FY2024 and FY2025: This grant opportunity will provide two separate sources of funding under two different programs; YHSI grants (CFDA number 14.277) and YHDP (CFDA number 14.276). Both sets of funds were appropriated by Congress “to demonstrate how a comprehensive approach to serving homeless youth, age 24 and under … can dramatically reduce youth homelessness.” Applications are due July 29, 2026. 
  • FY 2026 Susan Harwood Training Grant Program: The grant program offers eligible organizations the opportunity to compete annually for funding, so they may develop and conduct training and educational programs for small business employers and workers. The Susan Harwood Training Grant Program supports eligible organizations’ efforts to provide occupational safety and health training. Applications are due July 31, 2026   
  • HHS Grant: FY2026 Runaway Homeless Youth Training, Technical Assistance, and Capacity Building Center (RHYTTAC): The Runaway and Homeless Youth Training, Technical Assistance, and Capacity Building Center (RHYTTAC) provides direct training and technical assistance to existing RHY award recipients and subrecipients to enhance their efforts to successfully implement FYSB-funded projects. Applications are due August 3, 2026. 
  • Forecasted HHS Grant: FY 2026 Basic Center Program: The Basic Center Program (BCP) provides temporary, emergency shelter; and counseling services to youth who have left home without permission of their parents or guardians, have been forced to leave home, or other homeless youth who might otherwise end up in the law enforcement or in the child welfare, mental health, or juvenile justice systems. Applications are due August 3, 2026. 
  • HUD Grant: FY 2026 Continuum of Care Competition and Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program Grants: The Continuum of Care (CoC) Program is designed to promote a community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness and providing funding for efforts by providers. Applications are due August 26, 2026. 

Key federal and state developments, funding opportunities, grants, and resources impacting workforce development programs and services.

National Youth Employment Coalition Questions? Contact nathan.hora@nyec.org