POLICY UPDATE 9-18-26

September 18, 2026 |

News at NYEC

  • See You Soon! – NYEC’s DC Summit in Washington, DC – We are excited to see many members and partners in DC next week for our DC Summit event! Nearly 100 practitioners, youth, and community leaders will connect and learn from one another before they meet with their legislative offices!  

Legislative Branch

  • Bipartisan Protections Against Child Labor: Senators Brian Schatz and Todd Young introduced S.5414, a bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to enhance penalties for child labor law violations and assist employers in avoiding such violations. The current text for the bill is not yet available.  

Executive Branch

  • White House Highlights Workforce and Economic Investments in North Carolina: The White House released an overview of the Trump Administration’s record in North Carolina, highlighting investments in advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence. The release cites several private-sector investments expected to create new jobs across the state, including a projected 14,560 jobs from JetZero’s planned commercial airplane factory in Greensboro and hundreds of additional manufacturing jobs from projects across the state. 
  • U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon Visits Missouri on “Returning Education to the States” Tour: Secretary McMahon visited Missouri as part of the Department of Education’s “Returning Education to the States” tour, highlighting the Administration’s efforts to give states and local communities greater flexibility in education policy and the use of federal education resources. The visit comes as Missouri education and workforce leaders work to strengthen connections between higher education and workforce development, including through apprenticeships and preparation for in-demand careers. 

From the States

  • Indiana: Ball State University received a $358,000 grant through Indiana’s Growing Rural Opportunities for Well-being Regional Grants initiative to support efforts to strengthen the rural healthcare workforce and expand access to health services in east-central Indiana. 
  • Ohio: Ohio State University is partnering with Stanford University and other institutions on the Foundry School, a national advanced manufacturing training program designed to prepare entrepreneurs, engineers, technicians, and industrial leaders for careers in manufacturing. The initiative aims to strengthen manufacturing workforce development and expand career opportunities for students and graduates. 

Resources

  • Education-to-Workforce Framework Data Tool: The Urban Institute released The Education-to-Workforce Indicator Framework, a tool that puts national data regarding students’ journey from education to workforce in the hands of policymakers, educators, community organizations, parents, and students. This tool is intended to make it easy to understand students’ performance and progress across geographies and over time. 
  • Sample Grant Proposal on “Youth Employment and Skills Development”: The organization Funds for NGO’s released a sample grant proposal for organizations to use when applying for grants related to youth employment and skills development. The proposal outlines a strategic plan to develop and deliver targeted training programs, mentorship opportunities, and job placement services.

Federal Funding Opportunities

  • BJA Grant: FY 2026 Second Chance Act Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes Grant: This opportunity supports state, local, and tribal governments and community-based organizations to provide education and employment programs for adults and youth leaving prison and jail. The goal of the program is to improve academic and vocational/trade programs available to adults and youth in prisons and jails and expand workforce development and career pathways that result in improved job readiness, employment attainment, and retention. Applications are due September 24, 2026. 
  • OVC 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 FY 2026 Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Human Trafficking: This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the OVC 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 close September 28, 2026.  
  • OVC 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 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.  
  • Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant: 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 applicants under this funding opportunity are Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), nonprofit organizations, and public works departments and agencies. 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 a decentralized workforce. Applications close on October 5, 2026.  

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