Youth Corps Act of 2019
This bill authorizes the Department of Labor to make grants to public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations to carry out Youth Corps programs that utilize the Youth Corps model to provide low-income youth (age 16 and not more than age 24) with education and work readiness training.
The term "Youth Corps model" means a youth education and training program for which an eligible entity provides eligible youth with, among other things, stipended or paid work experience and basic and technical skills training leading to (1) enrollment in postsecondary education or training, (2) attainment of an industry-recognized certification or credential, (3) meaningful employment in the economy of the 21st century, or (4) military service.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1634 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1634
To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to provide for
the establishment of Youth Corps programs and provide for wider
dissemination of the Youth Corps model.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 7, 2019
Ms. Wilson of Florida introduced the following bill; which was referred
to the Committee on Education and Labor
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to provide for
the establishment of Youth Corps programs and provide for wider
dissemination of the Youth Corps model.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Youth Corps Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Nationally, there are an estimated 5,500,000 youth,
ages 16 through 24, out-of-school and out-of-work, with an
additional over 500,000 young people dropping out of school
each year. At present, the unemployment rate for youth ages 16
through 24 is approximately 17 percent. For youth who are in
low-income or minority communities, or who have disabilities,
this rate is significantly higher.
(2) Youth Service and Conservation Corps programs,
descended from the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s,
have been preparing disadvantaged and disconnected youth for
careers in resource conservation, environmental restoration,
land management, building renovation and weatherization,
education, human services, health care, homeland security, and
disaster relief for over 4 decades. To date, nearly a million
young people have found a new start through a Youth Service and
Conservation Corps program.
(3) Today, over 125 Youth Service and Conservation Corps
programs are being carried out in 50 States and the District of
Columbia, and employing a research-driven strategy, called the
Youth Corps model, to reengage and provide educational and
economic opportunity to around 30,000 young people each year.
These Corps members participate in 13.5 million hours of
community service annually.
(4) According to a recent study by the Corporation for
National and Community Service, participating in service
increases your likelihood of finding employment by 27 percent.
When limited to individuals living in rural areas or without a
high school diploma, the increase in likelihood of gaining
employment jumps to 55 percent and 51 percent, respectively.
(5) Due to the many benefits and positive outcomes, not
only for program participants but also for the communities in
which they serve, the Youth Corps model is a proven strategy
for reengaging disconnected youth in education and the
workforce, while improving communities and the environment.
SEC. 3. YOUTH CORPS PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--Subtitle D of title I of the Workforce Innovation
and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3221 et seq.) is amended by inserting
after section 171 (29 U.S.C. 3226) the following new section:
``SEC. 171B. YOUTH CORPS PROGRAMS.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to utilize service,
environmental stewardship, and the Youth Corps model to educate and
train the next generation of workers to enable them to find meaningful
employment in the economy of the 21st century, and instill in them a
sense of civic engagement and environmental stewardship.
``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a
public or private nonprofit agency or organization (including a
consortium of such agencies or organizations), including--
``(A) a community-based organization;
``(B) a faith-based organization;
``(C) a community action agency;
``(D) a community development corporation;
``(E) an entity carrying out activities under this
title, such as a local board;
``(F) an Indian tribe or other agency primarily
serving Indians;
``(G) a public or private institution of higher
education;
``(H) a State or unit of general local government;
or
``(I) a State or local youth service or
conservation corps.
``(2) Eligible youth.--Notwithstanding section 3, the term
`eligible youth' means an individual eligible to participate in
a Youth Corps program in accordance with subsection (d).
``(3) Indian; indian tribe.--The terms `Indian' and `Indian
tribe' have the meanings given the terms in section 166(b).
``(4) Participant.--The term `participant' includes a
recipient of services under paragraph (5)(F).
``(5) Youth corps model.--The term `Youth Corps model'
means a model for a youth education and training program for
which an eligible entity--
``(A) provides eligible youth with stipended or
paid work experience, and basic and technical skills
training leading, at a minimum, to an outcome
consisting of--
``(i) enrollment in postsecondary education
or training;
``(ii) attainment of an industry-recognized
certification or credential;
``(iii) meaningful employment in the
economy of the 21st century; or
``(iv) military service;
``(B) provides eligible youth with opportunities
for educational advancement, including the attainment
of a secondary school diploma or its recognized
equivalent, or other State-recognized credential;
``(C) engages eligible youth to work, in teams or
crews under the leadership of adult mentors and
trainers, on service and conservation projects designed
to improve the communities in which the youth live and
the environment;
``(D) works with youth- and family-serving systems,
such as child welfare and justice systems, to provide
and coordinate supportive services for education and
training program participants;
``(E) works with program partners in the local
workforce investment system, institutions of higher
education, or other community-based organizations to
develop pathways to subsequent enrollment in education
or training, attainment of an industry-recognized
certification or credential, meaningful employment, or
service as described in subparagraph (A); and
``(F) provides 12 months of followup services and
tracking for the program graduates.
``(c) Youth Corps Grants.--
``(1) Amounts of grants.--The Secretary is authorized to
make grants to eligible entities for the purpose of carrying
out Youth Corps programs approved under this section.
``(2) Term of grants.--The Secretary is authorized to make
the grants for terms of up to 3 years in length, and is
authorized to renew the grants.
``(3) Eligible activities.--An entity that receives a grant
under this subsection--
``(A) shall use the funds made available through
the grant to carry out a Youth Corps program that
utilizes the Youth Corps model to provide to the
participants, prior to graduation from the program--
``(i) education, which may include--
``(I) basic instruction and
remedial education;
``(II) language instruction for
individuals with limited English
proficiency;
``(III) secondary education
services and activities, including
dropout prevention, tutoring, and other
activities, that--
``(aa) are designed to lead
to the attainment of a
secondary school diploma or its
recognized equivalent, or other
State-recognized credential
(including a credential for
meeting recognized alternative
standards for individuals with
disabilities); and
``(bb) are delivered in
conjunction with project-based
service-learning to the maximum
degree practicable; and
``(IV) preparation for and access
to postsecondary education
opportunities, including counseling and
assistance with applying for student
financial aid;
``(ii) work readiness training, which may
include--
``(I) development of basic skills,
such as--
``(aa) arriving on time to
work;
``(bb) being prepared to
work;
``(cc) following
directions;
``(dd) working
independently;
``(ee) working with others;
``(ff) working safely; and
``(gg) demonstrating a
commitment to produce high-
quality work;
``(II) development of job-specific
occupational skills and on-the-job
training;
``(III) stipended or paid work
experience that provides participants
with insights into the professional
work environment;
``(IV) activities designed to lead
to--
``(aa) the attainment of an
industry-recognized
certification or credential; or
``(bb) meaningful
employment in the economy of
the 21st century;
``(V) career counseling and job
search assistance; and
``(VI) provision of a job developer
to cultivate relationships with local
employers to hire program graduates;
``(iii) supportive services, which may
include--
``(I) needs-related payments;
``(II) health care, including
mental health care such as drug and
alcohol abuse counseling;
``(III) child care; and
``(IV) transportation;
``(iv) provision of wages, stipends, or
benefits;
``(v) development and monitoring of
individual education and career plans;
``(vi) service and conservation projects,
designed to develop civic engagement and
environmental stewardship;
``(vii) supervision and training on those
projects; and
``(viii) adult mentoring;
``(B) shall use the funds made available through
the grant, in carrying out the Youth Corps program, to
provide followup services and tracking for program
graduates; and
``(C) may use the funds made available through the
grant for--
``(i) ongoing training and technical
assistance that is related to the development,
implementation, and sustainability of the
program; and
``(ii) payment of administrative expenses.
``(4) Application.--
``(A) In general.--In order to be qualified to
receive a grant for a program under this subsection, an
eligible entity shall submit an application at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information
as the Secretary may require.
``(B) Minimum requirements.--The Secretary shall
require that the application contain, at a minimum--
``(i) a request for the grant, specifying
the amount of the grant requested and the
proposed uses for the grant funds;
``(ii) a description of the applicant and a
statement of its qualifications, including a
description of the applicant's--
``(I) past experience with youth
education and training programs; and
``(II) relationships with local
boards, one-stop operators and one-stop
partners, local labor organizations,
entities carrying out registered
apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship
programs, employers, institutions of
higher education, and other community-
based organizations who are proposed as
members of the program partnership;
``(iii) a description of the educational
and work readiness training activities
(including paid work opportunities), secondary
education, preparation for and access to
postsecondary education and training
opportunities, and other services that will be
provided to participants, and how those
activities, opportunities, and services will
prepare eligible youth for an outcome described
in subsection (b)(5)(A), and instill in them a
sense of civic engagement and environmental
stewardship;
``(iv) a description of the proposed
service and conservation projects to be
undertaken under the grant, how the project
activities will improve the affected community
or environment, and the anticipated schedule
for carrying out such activities;
``(v) a description of the manner in which
eligible youth will be recruited and selected
as participants, including a description of any
coordination with local boards, one-stop
operators and one-stop partners, community-
based organizations, faith-based organizations,
State educational agencies (as defined in
section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)) or
local educational agencies (including agencies
of Indian tribes), public assistance agencies,
local courts, probation and parole offices, the
justice system, agencies serving homeless
youth, foster care agencies, the Armed Forces,
and other appropriate public and private
agencies;
``(vi) a description of how the proposed
program will be coordinated with other Federal,
State, and local activities and activities
conducted by Indian tribes, such as local
workforce investment activities, career and
technical education programs, programs of adult
education and literary activities, activities
conducted by public schools, activities
conducted by community colleges, national and
community service programs, and other non-
school-based education or training provided
with funds available under this title;
``(vii) a description of results to be
achieved with respect to performance indicators
described in subsection (e);
``(viii) a detailed budget and a
description of the system of fiscal controls,
and auditing and accountability procedures,
that will be used to ensure fiscal soundness
for the proposed program; and
``(ix) a description of the commitments of
any additional resources (in addition to the
grant funds) by the applicant or any program
partners.
``(5) Selection criteria.--For an applicant to be eligible
to receive a grant under this subsection, the applicant and the
applicant's proposed program shall meet such selection criteria
as the Secretary shall establish under this section, which
shall include criteria relating to--
``(A) the qualifications or potential capabilities
of an applicant;
``(B) an applicant's potential for developing and
implementing a successful education and training
program utilizing the Youth Corps model;
``(C) the need for an applicant's proposed program,
as determined by the degree of economic distress of the
community from which participants would be recruited
(measured by indicators such as poverty, youth
unemployment, and the number of individuals who have
dropped out of secondary school);
``(D) the need for the applicant's proposed service
and conservation projects by the affected community or
environmental area;
``(E) the ability of an applicant to provide the
education, training, and other services described in
paragraph (3) that are necessary to prepare
participants for an outcome described in subsection
(b)(5)(A);
``(F) the extent of an applicant's ability to
coordinate and partner with local boards, one-stop
operators and one-stop partners, local labor
organizations, entities carrying out registered
apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs,
employers, institutions of higher education, and other
community-based organizations who are proposed as
members of the program partnership to provide
participants with an outcome described in subsection
(b)(5)(A);
``(G) the extent of the applicant's coordination of
activities with entities carrying out public education,
criminal justice, housing and community development,
national and community service, postsecondary
education, or other systems that relate to the goals of
the proposed program;
``(H) the extent of the commitment of additional
resources (in addition to the grant funds) to the
proposed program by the applicant or any program
partners; and
``(I) such other factors as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate for purposes of carrying
out the proposed program in an effective and efficient
manner.
``(d) Additional Program Requirements.--
``(1) Eligible individuals.--
``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding section 101, for
purposes of this section an individual shall be
eligible to participate in a Youth Corps program only
if such individual is--
``(i)(I) not less than age 16 and not more
than age 24, on the date of enrollment; and
``(II)(aa) a low-income individual, a youth
in foster care (including youth aging out of
foster care), a formerly incarcerated or court-
involved youth, a child of an incarcerated
parent, a youth who is an individual with a
disability, or a migrant youth; or
``(bb) a school dropout; or
``(ii) eligible to participate under
subparagraph (B).
``(B) Exception for individuals not meeting income
or educational need requirements.--Not more than 25
percent of the individuals selected to be participants
in such program may be individuals who do not meet the
requirements of subclause (II) of subparagraph (A)(i).
``(C) Participants.--For purposes of Federal law,
participants in a Youth Corps program under this
section shall be considered participants of the program
rather than employees of the program.
``(2) Participation limitation.--An eligible individual
selected for participation in a Youth Corps program under this
section shall be offered full-time participation in the program
for a period of not less than 6 months and not more than 24
months.
``(e) Performance Indicators.--Recipients of grants for programs
under subsection (c) shall report annually to the Secretary concerning
the following performance indicators:
``(1) Program enrollment rates.
``(2) Program attendance rates.
``(3) Attainment of a diploma, equivalent, or credential
described in subsection (c)(3)(A)(i)(III).
``(4) Rates of program completion, including early release
for meaningful employment in the economy of the 21st century.
``(5) Rates of outcomes described in subsection (b)(5)(A)
for program graduates.
``(6) Wages of program graduates.
``(7) Post-program employment retention rates.
``(8) Such other performance indicators as may be
reasonably required by the Secretary.
``(f) Management and Technical Assistance.--
``(1) Secretary assistance.--The Secretary may enter into
contracts or cooperative agreements with or make grants to 1 or
more entities to provide assistance to the Secretary in the
management, supervision, and coordination of the program
carried out under this section.
``(2) Technical assistance.--
``(A) Contracts, cooperative agreements, and
grants.--The Secretary shall enter into contracts or
cooperative agreements with or make grants to 1 or more
qualified national nonprofit organizations with a
demonstrated record of experience with and achievement
in developing and implementing the Youth Corps model,
in order to provide training, information, and
technical assistance to recipients of grants under
subsection (c).
``(B) Reservation of funds.--Of the amounts
available under section 172(g) to carry out this
section for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve
5 percent to carry out subparagraph (A).
``(3) Evaluation.--
``(A) Contracts, cooperative agreements, and
grants.--The Secretary shall enter into contracts or
cooperative agreements with or make grants to 1 or more
qualified national nonprofit organizations with a
demonstrated record of experience with and achievement
in developing and implementing the Youth Corps model,
for the purpose of conducting data collection and
evaluation.
``(B) Reservation of funds.--Of the amounts
available under section 172(g) to carry out this
section for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve
1 percent to carry out subparagraph (A).
``(4) Capacity building grants.--For each fiscal year, the
Secretary may use not more than 3 percent of the amounts
available under section 172(g) to award grants to 1 or more
qualified national nonprofit organizations to pay for the
Federal share of the cost of providing capacity building
activities for recipients of grants under subsection (c).''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of
the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 171 the following:
``Sec. 171B. Youth Corps programs.''.
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 172 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
U.S.C. 3227) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out section 171B such sums as may be necessary
for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2025.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
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