POLICY UPDATE 8-21-26

August 21, 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.   
  • Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship (YDPA): NYEC is launching the second cohort of its YDPA this October! This Registered Apprenticeship provides a structured opportunity for staff to build the knowledge and skills needed to effectively support young people while earning a nationally recognized credential; organizations employing apprentice(s) receive a one-time $2300 stipend. Join the info session on August 25 (2PM EST) to learn more.  
  • Free, Ready-To-Use Pre-Apprenticeship Curricula: Looking for a ready-to-use way to strengthen your youth workforce programs and provide career exposure opportunities? Explore two free, flexible pre-apprenticeship curricula focused on positive youth development and mental health. Learn more at our info session on September 1 (2PM EST).  
  • Join NYEC’s Peer Learning Community: NYEC’s Peer Learning Communities bring together members working with different populations and in different communities from across the country to share expertise, learn from one another, and strengthen approaches to serving opportunity youth. The Next Peer Learning Community, Close to Home: Rural Workforce, will be held on August 26. 

Legislative Branch

  • Congress is on recess through the end of the month, so there are no legislative updates.

Executive Branch

From the States

  • Arkansas: Caterpillar Inc. has launched a workforce commitment in Arkansas, as part of the company’s five-year, $100 million Building the Future Workforce Initiative. With an allocation of up to $3 million, the funding aims to prepare workers in the state of Arkansas for jobs in modern manufacturing and industry technician roles. The initiative seeks to expand hands-on manufacturing pathways for students, increase technical training capacity across the region, and deepen employer engagement through collaborations with leading organizations. 
  • Minnesota: The Minnesota Department of Education is awarding more than $41 million to support the state’s teacher workforce through five grant programs. The funding will support teacher mentorship, professional development, teaching pathways for high school students, Grow Your Own programs and tuition assistance. 
  • Alabama: Bevill State Community College is emphasizing workforce development as the new school year begins, highlighting career and technical education programs and partnerships designed to prepare students for in-demand occupations. The college’s approach underscores the role of community colleges in connecting postsecondary education with regional employer needs and creating pathways into the workforce. 
  • Oregon: Oregon’s Youth Experiencing Homelessness Tuition and Fee Waiver is helping young people who have experienced homelessness access higher education by covering remaining tuition and mandatory fees after other financial aid is applied. The program, available to Oregon residents under age 25, has approved nearly 400 students since launching in 2022 and can be used at public community colleges and universities toward two- or four-year degrees. 

Resources

  • Jobs For the Future (JFF) Webinar: Advancing Quality Work-Based Learning Through Policy and Partnerships: This webinar will explore JFF’s new policy recommendations for quality work-based learning and strategies to move toward a more integrated future—one where work is not an add-on, but a durable, core part of learning. 
  • How Intermediaries Develop Work-Based Learning Partnerships with Employers: Lessons and Successes from the Center for the Future of Arizona. Learn about CFA’s work in Tucson, where staff are building and sustaining employer partnerships that create concrete work-based learning opportunities. 
  • COYN Fall 2026 Fellowship Program: The Center of Youth and Neighborhoods (COYN) is accepting nominations for its Fall 2026 Fellowship, running from October 5 through December 5. Fellows will work approximately 20 hours per week supporting youth community outreach, youth input processes, survey implementation, and projects documenting youth leadership efforts. Selected Fellows will receive a $3,000 stipend, with nominations due by September 18. 
  • Strategic Public Financing 101 with Native Communities Webinar: Children’s Funding Project is hosting a webinar introducing a new strategic public financing training developed by and for Tribal citizens. The training will help Tribal communities assess investments in Native children and youth, understand the true cost of providing needed services, and identify strategies to close funding gaps while preserving Tribal sovereignty. The webinar will preview the training launching this fall and explore how Tribal leaders, practitioners, and community partners can help shape its development. The zoom webinar is scheduled for September 10 (1PM EST). 

Federal Funding Opportunities

  • OVC Grant: FY 2026 Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Human Trafficking: This opportunity will fund projects to enhance the availability, quality, and delivery of services to assist minor victims of human trafficking as defined in 22 U.S.C. § 7102(11). Applications are due September 28, 2026. 
  • OVC Grant: FY 2026 Housing Assistance for Victims of Human Trafficking: This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the OVC FY 2026 Housing Assistance for Victims of Human Trafficking. This opportunity will fund organizations that provide housing and associated support services to victims of human trafficking as defined by 22 U.S.C. § 7102(11). The primary focus of this program is to provide rapid rehousing (i.e., transitional housing and supportive services that assist human trafficking victims in moving as quickly as possible into permanent housing and achieving stability). Applications close September 28, 2026.  
  • OVC Grant: FY 2026 Services for Victims of Human Trafficking: This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the OVC FY 2026 Services for Victims of Human Trafficking. This opportunity will develop, expand, and strengthen victim service programs for victims of human trafficking, as defined by 22 U.S.C. § 7102(11). Applications close September 29, 2026.  
  • OVC Grant: FY 2026 Preventing Trafficking of Girls: This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the OVC FY 2026 Preventing Trafficking of Girls. This opportunity will support prevention and early intervention services for girls who are at risk of, or are victims of, human trafficking as defined by 22 U.S.C. § 7102(11). Applications close September 29, 2026.  
  • EPA Grant: Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting applications under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) section 1459E to accelerate career pipelines in the water utilities sector and provide access to water utility workforce opportunities. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support expanding career opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector and elevating public awareness about jobs in the water workforce. Eligible activities include apprenticeship and internship programs, education programs designed for elementary, secondary, and higher education students, regional industry collaborations, and training programs designed to support decentralized workforce. Applications are due October 5, 2026. 

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