POLICY UPDATE 10-30-26

October 30, 2026 | Policy

News at NYEC

Registration Is Open: Dare to Dream! NYEC’s Annual Forum will take place in Cleveland, OH on April 12-14, 2027. Early Bird registration is available now. If you would like to present, submit a proposal by November 17, 2026.
NYEC is launching our second Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship (YDPA) cohort: We are looking for organizations that are interested in recruiting, training, and upskilling new OR existing employees in direct service roles. Fill out the interest form for more information.

Legislative Branch

NIST Awards More Than $1.7 Million to Support Cybersecurity Workforce Development Across 8 States: The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has announced more than $1.7 million in cooperative agreements intended to build the workforce needed to protect our nation’s infrastructure and organizations from cybersecurity threats. The nine awards of up to $200,000 each will go to educational and community organizations in eight states to address the nation’s ongoing shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals.

California: The California Workforce Development Board awarded $5.7 million last week to five projects that will help Californians access quality jobs in the state’s booming quantum and fusion sectors. UC Berkeley will receive $1 million in funding to develop and pilot a regional quantum workforce pipeline that connects high school and college students to quantum careers.
Connecticut: Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and state leaders are trumpeting the state’s efforts to equip its workforce with AI skills and expertise, even as some economists and labor leaders raise broad concerns about its potential to upend the nature of employment.

Annie E. Casey Blog: Federal Policy Changes Could Mean a Loss of Health Insurance for as Many as 3.4 Million Young Adults: Up to 3.4 million young adults could lose health insurance coverage by 2028 due to federal policy changes in Medicaid and the health insurance marketplace, according to two new reports by the Urban Institute. Many other young adults will have to pay significantly more for health insurance at a time when the cost of living continues to rise.
Op-ed: I spent years running AmeriCorps. The best job training in America isn’t happening in the classroom: Michael Smith, President and CEO of Eckerd Connects and former CEO of AmeriCorps, argues that paid, structured service is one of the most proven ways to build stronger on-ramps to work for young people, especially as AI reshapes the entry-level job market.
Forum For Youth Investment Opportunity Youth Congressional Liaison Program (OYCL) Application Opens: The Opportunity Youth Congressional Liaison Program (OYCL) is a three-month paid fellowship for youth ages 16 to 26 to equip them with the skills and tools they need to directly advocate to lawmakers. Applications are due November 16.

BJA FY 2026 Second Chance Act Community-based Reentry Program: This funding opportunity will support community-based organizations and tribal governments to provide mentoring and transitional services for people returning to communities from adult correctional facilities and who are assessed as moderate to high risk for recidivism. Applications close October 30, 2026.
(Forecasted) Residential Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children: This opportunity is intended to support organizations that can provide high-quality, child-centered care that promotes children’s safety and well-being. Funded providers must offer services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and have the capacity to accept children at any time, when it is safe to do so and consistent with state licensing requirements. Estimated application due date is January 12, 2027.