Kisha Bird, Director, Youth Policy, CLASP2017 Youth Summit 2017 Connecticut Department of Labor

Our Youth, Our Economy, Our Future: Strategies that Make a Difference in Youth Workforce Development

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Who You Were When You Were A Teenager? What Did You Do? What Were Your Challenges? Who Supported You?

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Key Points • Who Are Opportunity Youth?• What Is Our Challenge?• Getting to Solutions: We Know What Works• Your Charge!

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Who Are Opportunity Youth? • Out-of-School Youth/Disconnected

Youth - Teenagers and young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 who are neither working nor in school.

• Opportunity Youth - Those of us who

have spent time out-of-school and out-of-work, formerly called “at-risk” or “disconnected” youth, appreciate the new language that names us “opportunity youth.” It accurately reflects the twin facts that we are seeking opportunity and we offer a major opportunity to our nation if it will invest in us and our peers.

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Definitions: Out-of-School Youth in Federal Statute

WIOAThe term‘ ‘out-of-school youth’’ means an individual who is—(i) not attending any school (as defined under State law); (ii) not younger than age 16 or older than age 24; and (iii) one or more of the following:(I) A school dropout.(II) A youth who is within the age of compulsory school attendance, but has notattended school for at least the most recent complete school year calendar quarter.(III) A recipient of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent who is alow-income individual and is— (aa) basic skills deficient; or (bb) an Englishlanguage learner.(IV) An individual who is subject to the juvenile or adult justice system.(V) A homeless individual, child or youth who is a runaway, in foster care or has aged out of the foster care system, or in an out-of-home placement. (VI) An individual who is pregnant or parenting. (VII) A youth who is an individual with a disability. (VIII) A low-income individual who requires additional assistance to enter or complete an educational program or to secure or hold employment.

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Opportunity Youth & Toxic Stress

• Gang involvement• Drug use• Incarceration• Death of a loved one• Being a regular caregiver• Foster youth• Not participating in afterschool

activities• Suspended or expelled• Lack of preparation for HS• Enduring abuse• Experienced homelessness• Changing residence frequently• Changing schools frequently

6America’s Promise Alliance

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Youth Disconnection Rates

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Who Youth and Young Adults Are Today

Opportunity Youth• 4.9 million young adults

Ages of 16 and 24 • 12.3 percent of

American youth, about one in eight

• 20.3 percent in rural counties, much higher than the rate for counties in urban centers 14.2 percent

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How do we work together to solve this crisis?

• Ask young people what they need and want• Recognize and address toxic stress • Develop programs, but more importantly assess and change

how policies, systems, agencies work Use data, learn from others Understand what is a federal, state, or local policy barrier

• Local leadership must be on the front lines, mayors, city council, agency leads, advocates, employers and nonprofit leaders

• Invest in a wide range of employment and workforce development opportunities

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HOW DO WE WORK TOGETHER TO SOLVE THIS CRISIS?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

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We Know What Works 1. State Policy Leadership

and Investment 2. Focus on Building

Local/Regional Systems3. Think Youth Pathways

and Long-Term Goals4. Youth Development, Skill

Development, Service, Career Pathways and Leadership Development

5. Youth Engagement/Youth Voice

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Components of a Comprehensive OSY Delivery System

Convening Entity

Administrative Agent

Navigation/Case Management

Partnerships Across Systems/Sectors

Work Experience & Exposure

Dropout Recovery System

Youth Leadership

Capacity Building for Providers

1. Well-connected and transparent education, training, credentials, and support services

Increasing skills,competencies, and credentials

e.g., license, industry credential

3rd Job in

Career

Path2nd Job in

Career

Path

1st Job in

Career

Path

informed by

industry/employers

e.g., certificate, diploma

e.g., 2-year degree

e.g., 4-year degree

Nth Job in

Career

Path

2. Multiple entry points – for both well-prepared students and targeted populations

bridge(s)

3. Multiple exit points

e.g., high school or CTEe.g., adult education

or workforce system

e.g., military or civilian workplace

e.g., postsecondary system

e.g., apprenticeship

Career Pathways System Elements

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High Quality Work Experiences: There is no silver bullet!

Now, Soon and Future Jobs…

Summer Jobs

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Dropout Recovery Strategies

• Credit recovery• Reengagement

centers• Integrated education

and training• Dual enrollment

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Social-Emotional and Work Supports

Social-Emotional &

Work Supports

Child Care

Transportation

HousingMental Health

Health Services

Financial Capability

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Out of School Youth Systems Chart

Pre Screened Court Referral

Community “Street” Recruitment

Orientation

Career Pathway Reinforcement (CPR)

Career Exploration

Career Assessment

Career Plan Development

FEC

Review Program

Is the Client Ready and Committed to Program. Admissions Committee

Explore jobs in the region and pay levels

Determine what career is compatible to interests and skills

Develop Career Action Plan

Service Learning Mentoring Customer

ServiceParticipant Council (PC)

Legal Service Face Forward

Only

GED or High School Diploma if a

Dropout

Classroom Training

(CRT)

Internships/Work

Experience

OJT/Combination

of Training

Alumni Club

Job Advocacy / Job Placement

Youth Development Skill Development

FEC Job Advocacy / Job Placement

Quality referral to partner/ mandate of enhanced completion YES / NO

Full Employment Council, Kansas City

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Expand and tailor services to the needs of low-income opportunity youth– can include justice-involved and foster youth

Improve cross-systems funding, coordination and implementation of services with state local workforce/education/justice systems

Think about financing strategies. Employers, leveraging higher education funding, SNAP Employment & Training (Beyond WIOA)

Funding and Policy Choices Can Make a Difference

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Contact Info:Kisha BirdDirector, Youth PolicyProject Director, Campaign for YouthCLASP www.clasp.org p (202) 906-8020 kbird@clasp.orgTwitter: @CLASPKisha