POLICY UPDATE 9-11-26

September 11, 2026 |

A Note to Our Members: Today marks 25 years since September 11, 2001, and we remember the lives lost, the families and communities forever changed, and all those who responded with courage and compassion. We hold space for remembrance and reflection, and for all those who continue to carry the impact of the tragedy that unfolded. May we continue to honor their memory through service, connection, and care for one another in our communities and throughout the nation.

News at NYEC

  • More Than a Job: Exploring the Basics of SNAP E&T: Join us on September 17th for an exploration of USDA’s Food and Nutrition Administration’s SNAP Employment & Training (E&T) program. This session will provide an overview of SNAP E&T’s mission to connect America’s most vulnerable populations with opportunities for developing skills, training, education, and meaningful employment through partnerships that promote work and move SNAP participants towards self and family sustaining careers.  

Legislative Branch

  • Bipartisan Representatives Push to Eliminate Barriers to Veteran Educational Benefits for Those Who Pursue Apprenticeships: Representatives Brad Finstad and Timothy M. Kennedy introduced H.R.10260, the Reducing Arbitrary Barriers to Apprenticeship Act of 2026, a bill to eliminate those provisions relating to veterans’ educational assistance that disadvantage eligible individuals who choose to pursue programs of apprenticeship or other on-job training instead of a four-year college degree, and for other purposes. 
  • Representatives Introduce Bill to Create 32 Hour Work Week: Representatives Mark Takano, Pramila Jayapal, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, J. Luis Correa, and Delia C. Ramirez introduced H.R.10323, the Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act, a bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to reduce the standard workweek from 40 hours per week to 32 hours per week. 
  • Representative Torres Introduces Bill to Raise Minimum Wage: Representative Norma J. Torres introduced H.R.10294, the Better Pay for American Workers Act, which amends Section 6 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to establish a statutory trajectory for raising the federal minimum wage and indexing future increases to median wage growth. 

Executive Branch

  • U.S. Department of Education Launches Learning Agenda Playbook to Support State Education Leaders and Improve Student Outcomes: The U.S. Department of Education launched a Learning Agenda Playbook to help state education agencies identify key challenges, use evidence to evaluate what works, and direct resources toward strategies that improve student outcomes. Developed and tested with eight state education agencies, the Playbook includes tools to help states build capacity, develop strategic learning agendas, and strengthen evidence-based decision-making. 
  • U.S. Department of Labor Unveils Agency-Wide Initiatives Supporting American Workers, Job Creators, and Retirees: The U.S. Department of Labor announced a series of agency-wide initiatives aimed at strengthening the workforce, supporting employers, and expanding opportunities for American workers. The initiatives include efforts to improve workforce development and training, reduce regulatory burdens, and strengthen partnerships between employers and workers. The department said the actions are part of its broader effort to promote economic opportunity and strengthen the American workforce. 
  • U.S. Department of Labor Releases Framework for Effective Pre-Apprenticeships: The U.S. Department of Labor released a new framework outlining the core components of effective pre-apprenticeship programs and reaffirming their connection to Registered Apprenticeships. The Training and Employment Notice also clarifies how pre-apprenticeship programs can be delivered through federally funded workforce and education programs, providing guidance to state and local workforce systems, education agencies, YouthBuild and Job Corps programs, and other workforce stakeholders. 

From the States

  • Missouri: Missouri’s Coordinating Board for Higher Education and State Workforce Development Board convened to discuss strategies for building a tech-ready workforce, expanding apprenticeships, supporting education and reentry for justice-involved individuals, and strengthening connections between higher education and workforce development. The State Workforce Development Board also received updates on the Workforce Pell Grant. 
  • Massachusetts: Massachusetts opened applications for colleges, universities, and eligible training providers to offer programs through the new Workforce Pell Grant. The initiative will allow eligible students to use federal Pell Grants for short-term programs that prepare them for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand jobs. Providers must receive state and federal approval, with the first programs expected to begin enrolling students in early 2027. 

Resources

  • How Colleges Can Use Workforce Pell to Level Up: New America released a guide on how college leaders can implement Workforce Pell on a baseline, intermediate, and advanced level in order to take advantage of Workforce Pell and increase the share of short-term, workforce-oriented programs eligible for federal financial aid. 
  • Classification of Registered Youth Apprenticeship Program Models: The Urban Institute published a report addressing the lack of a standard definition of a youth apprenticeship program by defining four models of youth apprenticeship based on their delivery partners: high school-aligned youth apprenticeship programs, college-aligned youth apprenticeship programs, career and technical education (CTE) center-aligned youth apprenticeship programs, and other youth-focused programs, to better understand the advantages and disadvantages of these program models. 

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.