POLICY UPDATE 7-31-26

July 31, 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. Sessions will include How State and Local Advocates Are Reshaping Youth Policy, Insights from the U.S. Department of Labor, & and Advocacy Refresher.

Legislative Branch

  • Hearing on the Impact of AI: On July 29th, 2026, the Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety held a hearing to discuss the impact of A.I. on the U.S workforce. Witnesses included: Ken Clark, the President and Chief Executive Officer of EmployIndy, Carol Rogers, the Director of Indiana Business Research Center, Dr. Liya Palagashvili, the Director of the Labor Policy Project at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, Jonathan Liebert, the CEO of BBB of Southern Colorado, and Dr. Justin Heck, the Senior Director of Research and Data Production at Opportunity@Work.  
  • Bipartisan and Bicameral Push for Better Financial Aid for Homeless and Foster Youth: Representatives Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Erin Houchin and Senators Patty Murray and Mike Braun introduced the Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act, also known as H.R.9960 and S. 5146, to amend the financial aid process for homeless and foster youth who are in Higher Education.  
  • House Democrats Urge Head Start Program Amendment: Representative Jahana Hayes, along with 19 Democrat Co-Sponsors, introduced H.R.9958, a bill to amend Head Start Act to expand and improve participation in Head Start programs. 

Executive Branch

  • U.S. Department of Labor Expands Partnerships to Strengthen Maritime Workforce Pipeline: The U.S. Department of Labor announced an expanded partnership with Huntington Ingalls Industries to strengthen the nation’s skilled workforce pipeline and support maritime reindustrialization. The collaboration aims to increase access to training and apprenticeship opportunities for high-demand shipbuilding and maritime careers, helping connect workers with quality jobs while addressing critical workforce needs in the defense and maritime industries. The initiative aligns with broader federal efforts to expand registered apprenticeships and develop a highly skilled workforce for strategic industries. 
  • U.S. National Science Foundation Awards First CyberAICorps Grants to Strengthen AI and Cybersecurity Workforce: The U.S. National Science Foundation announced the first awards under its CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service program, supporting colleges and universities that prepare students for careers in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. The initiative expands workforce development opportunities by funding scholarships, strengthening AI and cybersecurity education, and helping build a pipeline of skilled professionals to serve in government and other critical sectors. 

From the States

  • Alabama: Regional leaders in North Alabama emphasized the importance of strengthening education to workforce pipelines during a recent State of the Region event. Discussions focused on expanding career and technical education, deepening employer partnerships, and preparing students for high demand careers to support the region’s economic growth.  
  • Massachusetts: Massachusetts Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones visited Malden’s Summer Youth Employment Program to highlight the state’s continued investment in youth workforce development. The visit showcased how paid summer employment helps young people build workplace skills, explore career pathways, and gain professional experience. Earlier this year, the Healey Administration announced $14.4 million in YouthWorks grants to support nearly 3,800 young people in paid summer and year-round employment opportunities across the state. 

Resources

  • Jobs For the Future (JFF) Releases a Postsecondary Playbook Guide: Jobs for the Future (JFF) has released the Disrupt the Divide Postsecondary Playbook, a practical resource for community colleges and postsecondary leaders seeking to strengthen pathways to high-wage, high-growth careers. Drawing on lessons from JFF’s Disrupt the Divide initiative, the playbook highlights evidence-based strategies to improve learner access, persistence, and completion, align academic programs with labor market demand, and expand economic mobility for learners facing systemic barriers. , digital financial learning, and emerging technologies.   

Federal Funding Opportunities

  • 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 14, 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 17, 2026. 
  • Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund Grant Program: The Department of Labor announced the availability of approximately $40 million for a second round of the Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund (“Training Fund”) grants, with at least $5 million of the total available funding to be awarded to support training in the shipbuilding industry. This second round of Training Fund grants is largely the same as the first round from the original Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) 02-25, but this TEGL 02-25 Change 1 contains several revisions that apply to the second round of applications. All the information applicable to the second round of Training Fund grants can be found here. Applications are due August 17, 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. 

Member Highlight

  • JobsFirstNYC held its 11th Adapting to the Future of Work convening focused on data, workforce policy, AI, and Youth Leadership. They led the conference with the goal of designing the systems that close the gap between opportunity and access.
  • Aspen Institute released a Financial Capability Toolkit for Opportunity Youth – read HERE.

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