Youth & Young Adult Policy Update 03-13-2026

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. Attend sessions from our policy track such as Amplifying Youth Voice & Engagement in System Change presented by LaBraia Owens and Sedoo Ijir, Directors of Practice at Texas Network of Youth Services.  

• Sign on to the Bipartisan Opportunity Youth Caucus Coalition 2025/2026 WIOA Reauthorization Support Letter: As a partner in the Bipartisan Opportunity Youth Caucus Coalition & National Opportunity Youth Coalition, please join NYEC in calling for passage of a bipartisan WIOA reauthorization bill this Congress that supports Opportunity Youth! You can read the full text of the letter here. Please sign your organization using this link by March 27. 

Legislative Branch:   

 Larson & Reed Introduce ACTION for National Service Act to Expand Service Opportunities for Young People: Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) and Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) reintroduced the America’s Call to Improve Opportunities Now (ACTION) for National Service Act, aiming to expand access to national and community service opportunities for young people and reduce the burden of student loan debt. The full bill text can be found here.  

Executive Branch: 

• Department of Labor Issues Guidance on Registered Apprenticeship: The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) announced new guidance intended to strengthen and expand the national Registered Apprenticeship system. The guidance clarifies how apprenticeship program completion rates are calculated and introduces new transparency measures, including a performance data portal and a commitment to make program registration decisions within 30 days. The changes are intended to operate in line with the Administration’s goal of expanding participation in Registered Apprenticeships nationwide. ETA is hosting webinar on March 27 at 1pm ET for more information on the guidance. 

 

Federal Funding Opportunities with upcoming deadlines: 

• OJJDP Grant: FY25 Second Chance Act Youth Reentry Program: This funding opportunity will provide funding to support states, units of local government, and federally recognized Native American Tribal governments in partnership with interested persons (including federal corrections and supervision agencies), service providers, and community-based organizations to provide (1) comprehensive reentry services for moderate- to high-risk youth before, during, and after release from confinement, and (2) support transitional services to assist youth to successfully reenter the community. Applications are due March 30, 2026. 

• DOL Grant: Pay-for-Performance Incentive Payments Program (PfP IPP): The Pay-for-Performance Incentive Payments Program will focus on incentivizing the expansion and growth of the National Apprenticeship System, specifically in industries with a firmly established program infrastructure that will make a significant contribution to the Administration’s goal of exceeding 1 million active apprentices. Applications are estimated to be due April 3, 2026. 

• DOL Grant: The Reentry Employment in Skilled Trades, Advanced Manufacturing, Registered Apprenticeships, and Training (RESTART) Initiative: RESTART supports the advancement of workforce readiness skills and the attainment of employment for ex-offenders across three populations: youth (ages 15-17 years old), young adults (ages 18-24 years old), and adults (ages 25 years old and above). Funds will be awarded to eligible entities to develop programs to train ex-offenders for high-need American jobs and assist them in being productive contributors to the U.S. economy. Applications are due April 15, 2026. 

• HHS Grant: SAMHSA: Children’s Mental Health Initiative: The purpose of the Children’s Mental Health Initiative program is to provide comprehensive community mental health services to children, youth, and young adults, birth through age 21 with a serious emotional disturbance, which may include efforts to identify and serve children at risk, and their families. Applications are due April 20, 2026. 

• DOL Grant: Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants (Round 6): Round 6 of the Strengthening Community Colleges (SCC or SCC6) grants will fund community colleges, with a singular focus on building program and system capacity for implementing and scaling access to short-term training opportunities through Workforce Pell Grants—i.e., promoting industry-driven strategies, worker mobility, and integration with the larger state workforce system (e.g., Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) partners) for statewide impact. Applications are due May 20, 2026. 

 

From the States: 

• Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania is expanding eligibility for childcare assistance and investing in provider stability to reduce costs for families. The Shapiro administration says the changes will help parents stay in the workforce while supporting the childcare system. 

• Michigan: Rep. Greg Schmaltz is seeking a state grant to expand Jackson’s Save Our Youth program through the state budget process. The proposal would direct public funding toward mentorship and workforce development opportunities for local youth. 

Resources: 

• Childcare Added to Ready to Work Program: San Antonio is strengthening its Ready to Work initiative by adding childcare support for participants. City leaders say the expansion addresses a major barrier that often prevents people from finishing job training programs. 

• Family First Falls Short on Group Homes: The Family First Prevention Services Act aimed to shift child welfare systems away from group homes and toward family-based care. Yet data show the law has not significantly reduced group home placements in several states.