DC Youth and Young Adult Update 01-02-26

By NYEC | January 2, 2026

News at NYEC: 

Join NYEC in Houston, TX for Rooted in Action: 2026 Annual Forum! The National Youth Employment Coalition will head to Houston, TX from March 30 – April 1, 2026 for our annual convening of 450+ direct service providers, practitioners, community leaders, employers, and young adults. Across three days, participants will cultivate connections; share innovative strategies, proven practices, and community-driven solutions; and explore how collective strength, perseverance, and action can drive meaningful, systemic change.
Strengthening Partnerships Between Employers and Youth Workforce Practitioners: NYEC recently released this new policy report, developed by our Federal Policy Team and Policy Committee. The report outlines field-informed federal policy recommendations to improve collaboration between employers and youth workforce practitioners to better connect opportunity youth to employment pathways. These recommendations are shaped by insights from practitioners, employers, and youth voices to inform policymakers on how federal policy can better support effective employer engagement to support opportunity youth!

Legislative Branch: 

Appropriations Chairs Deliver Bicameral Agreement on FY26 Funding Allocations: House and Senate appropriations leaders took a key step forward on FY26 funding this week, as House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-OK) and Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) announced a bicameral agreement on topline discretionary funding allocations. The agreement establishes a shared framework for negotiating the 12 annual appropriations bills and is intended to help move Congress away from short-term continuing resolutions and toward full-year funding, though total spending levels are expected to come in below the current CR baseline. While this deal helps resolve a major procedural hurdle, significant work remains as lawmakers translate topline numbers into bill-specific allocations ahead of the January 30 funding deadline, with continued implications for agencies and programs operating under funding uncertainty.

Executive Branch:

No new updates to share.

Federal Funding Opportunities with upcoming deadlines:

DOL Grant: YouthBuild 2025: DOL will award grants through a competitive process to eligible public or private non-profit organizations or Tribal entities to provide pre-apprenticeship occupational skills training, education, and job placement services to opportunity youth. YouthBuild prepares participants for quality jobs in various industry sectors and includes wrap-around supportive services such as assistance in transportation, childcare, and housing. Applications are due March 2, 2026.

Previously shared:

HUD Grant: FY 2025 Continuum of Care Competition and Youth Homeless Demonstration Program Grants: The Continuum of Care (CoC) Program is designed to promote a community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness, provide funding for these efforts, and optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Applications are due January 14, 2026.

From the States:

Missouri: The article examines a proposed Missouri bill that would allow employers to pay workers under 18 a lower minimum wage, raising questions about youth labor standards as the state moves toward a $15 minimum wage.

Delaware: Read about two Latino Delaware students selected for the U.S. Senate Youth Program and their commitment to elevating issues such as education access, immigration, and equity impacting their communities.

Resources:

Applications for Registered Apprenticeships Open: Iowa is now accepting applications for its annual Registered Apprenticeship grants (84E and 84F), with over $3 million available to support eligible sponsors registered with the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship (IOA).