,,ii #aaeth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cbcd ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,july #ah1 #bjah ,mr4 ,kaine introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to provide at-risk and disconnected youth with subsidized summer and year-round employment and to assist local community partnerships in improving high school graduation and youth employment rates1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,opening ,doors for ,youth ,act of #bjah4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,the time between the early teens and mid-twenties represents a critical developmental period in which individuals can gain the education and training1 entry-level work experiences1 work-readiness skills1 and social networks needed to smoothly transition into the labor market and build towards future professional success4 7#b7 ,yet1 nearly #e1jjj1jjj young people ages #af to #bd are out of school and unemployed1 leaving them disconnected from the systems and institutions critical for developing the building blocks of independence and self-sufficiency4 7#c7 ,communities of color experience the highest rates of youth disconnection3 #be4d percent of ,native ,american youth1 #ah4i percent of ,black youth1 and #ad4c percent of ,latino youth between the ages of #af and #bd were disconnected from school and work in #bjae4 7#d7 ,disconnected youth are also #c times more likely than other youth to have a disability1 twice as likely to live below the ,federal poverty level1 and significantly more likely to live in racially segregated neighborhoods4 ,disconnected young women and girls are #c times more likely than other young women and girls to have a child1 and young people involved in the juvenile justice system or aging out of the foster care system are at a high risk of disconnection4 7#e7 ,disconnection from school and work can have significant consequences for youth1 including decreased earning power and fewer future employment opportunities4 ,according to a #bjab report entitled ,the ,economic ,value of ,opportunity ,youth1 disconnected youth will1 on average1 earn #cib1jgj less than the average worker over their lifetimes4 7#f7 ,failure to successfully connect young people to employment and educational opportunities also results in a significant loss in productivity for the overall economy1 as well as increases in government spending4 ,according to a recent report from ,measure of ,america1 in #bjac1 youth disconnection resulted in #bf1hjj1jjj1jjj in public expenditures1 including spending on health care1 public assistance1 and incarceration4 7#g7 ,disconnected youth1 commonly referred to as opportunity youth because of their tremendous potential1 can add great social and economic value to our communities and the economy1 if given the appropriate supports and resources4 ,according to the ,opportunity ,index1 an annual measurement of opportunity in a geographic region1 the number of opportunity youth1 along with educational attainment and poverty rates1 are strongly linked to overall opportunity in communities4 ,when young adults do well1 communities do well4 7#h7 ,despite their talent and motivation1 many opportunity youth lack access to the training1 education1 and entry-level jobs that can help them gain the work experience and credentials needed to successfully transition into the labor market4 7#i7 ,lack of access to entry-level jobs can limit a young adult's ability to accrue early work experience and demonstrate productivity and work readiness to potential employers4 ,labor market shifts have also limited opportunities for young people without a high school diploma or with limited postsecondary credentials4 ,according to a #bjac report from the ,georgetown ,university ,center on ,education and the ,workforce1 by the year #bjbj1 an estimated #fe percent of all jobs in the ,united ,states will require postsecondary education and training4 7#aj7 ,summer and year-round youth employment programs that connect young people with entry-level jobs give youth the work experience and opportunity for skill development needed to transition into the labor market and prevent points of disconnection1 such as involvement in the criminal and juvenile justice systems4 7#aa7 ,evidence suggests that summer youth employment programs may help in-school youth remain connected to the education system4 ,a #bjad study of the ,new ,york ,city ,summer ,youth ,employment ,program found that youth older than age #af increased their school attendance by #d or #e additional days after participating in a youth summer employment program4 ,this attendance increase represented #be percent of the total days students were permitted to miss school and still continue on to the next grade4 7#ab7 ,evidence shows that participation in summer youth employment programs also reduces the rate of violent crimes arrests4 ,for example1 a #bjad study of the ,one ,summer ,chicago ,plus program shows that the program reduced violent crime arrests among at-risk youth by approximately #dc percent1 with crime reduction benefits lasting more than a year after the program had ended4 ,this reduction can have a significant impact for young people1 given the impact of a criminal record on future employment prospects and wages4 7#ac7 ,despite its benefits1 summer youth employment declined by more than #dj percent between #aiii and #bjac1 at a loss of more than #c1jjj1jjj summer jobs for young people in the ,united ,states4 ,a ,j4,p4 ,morgan ,chase study of #ad major cities in the ,united ,states found that summer youth employment programs were only able to provide opportunities for #df percent of applicants in #bjad4 7#ad7 ,according to research by ,measure of ,america1 the overwhelming number of youth disconnected from school and work come from disconnected communities marked by high adult unemployment1 poverty1 and racial segregation1 as well as low levels of adult education attainment4 ,these communities often lack the resources and supports needed to prevent and reverse youth disconnection4 7#ae7 ,many at-risk or opportunity youth1 finding that traditional pathways to educational attainment or employment are ill-matched to their individual needs1 struggle to remain connected or reconnect to school and work4 7#af7 ,for some youth1 individual barriers1 such as unstable housing1 lack of access to affordable child care or transportation1 or involvement in the juvenile or criminal justice system1 make it difficult to take advantage of existing employment and education pathways4 7#ag7 ,according to the #bjaf report entitled ,supportive ,services in ,job ,training and ,education3 ,a ,research ,review1 studies suggest that education and training programs that offer supportive services1 such as child care1 transportation1 and financial assistance1 are associated with improved outcomes4 7#ah7 ,community-based preventions and interventions can address the distinct problems opportunity youth may face in the local community and provide a connection to the education and training1 re-engagement1 and supportive services needed to help these young people succeed4 7#ai7 ,previous ,federal grant programs targeting communities with high rates of poverty have been successful in building the capacity of such communities to improve labor market participation and education attainment rates for young people4 #c4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary of ,labor such sums as may be necessary to carry out this ,act4 #d4 ,availability of funds 7a7 ,in general ,of the amount made available under section #c1 the ,secretary of ,labor shall allot 7subject to subsection 7b77-- 7#a7 #cj percent of such amount to carry out section #e2 7#b7 #ce percent of such amount to carry out section #f2 and 7#c7 #ce percent of such amount to carry out section #g4 7b7 ,reservation of funds for administrative and other purposes ,the ,secretary of ,labor shall reserve-- 7#a7 not more than #e percent of amounts available under each of paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#c7 of subsection 7a7 for the costs of innovation and learning activities under section #aj2 7#b7 not more than #e percent of amounts available under each of paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#c7 of subsection 7a7 for the costs of ,federal administration of this ,act2 and 7#c7 not more than #b percent of amounts available under each of paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#c7 of subsection 7a7 for the costs of evaluations conducted under section #aa4 7c7 ,period of availability ,the amount appropriated under this ,act shall be available for obligation by the ,secretary of ,labor until the date that is #d years after the date of enactment of this ,act4 #e4 ,summer employment opportunities for at-risk youth 7a7 ,in general ,of the amount available under section #d7;a77#a7 that is not reserved under section #d7;b71 the ,secretary of ,labor shall1 for the purpose of carrying out summer employment programs under this section-- 7#a7 after making the reservations described in paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c71 make an allotment of the remainder of such amount in accordance with section #abg7;b77#a77;,c77ii7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cafb7;b77#a77;,c77ii77 to each ,state that meets the requirements of section #ajb or #ajc of such ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #caab2 #caac72 7#b7 reserve not more than one-quarter of #a percent of such amount to provide assistance to the outlying areas2 and 7#c7 reserve not more than #aa_/b percent of such amount to1 on a competitive basis1 make grants to1 or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with1 ,indian tribes1 tribal organizations1 ,alaska ,native entities1 ,indian-controlled organizations serving ,indians1 or ,native ,hawaiian organizations to carry out summer employment programs consistent with the requirements of this section as determined by the ,secretary4 7b7 ,within ,state allocations 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,governor of a ,state1 in accordance with the ,state plan developed under section #ajb or #ajc of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #caab1 #caac71 shall allocate the amount that is allotted to the ,state under subsection 7a77#a7 to local areas meeting the requirements under subsection 7c7 in accordance with the allocation described in section #abh7;b77#b77;,a77i7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cafc7;b77#b77;,a77i77 for the purpose of developing and expanding summer employment programs under this section4 7#b7 ,reallocation among local areas 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,governor may1 after consultation with the ,state board1 reallocate to eligible local areas within the ,state amounts that are made available to local areas from allocations made under this section 7referred to in this paragraph as a local allocation7 and that are available for reallocation in accordance with this paragraph4 7,b7 ,amount ,the amount available for reallocation for a program year is equal to the amount by which the unobligated balance of the local allocation1 at the end of the program year prior to the program year for which the determination under this paragraph is made1 exceeds #bj percent of such allocation for the prior program year4 7,c7 ,reallocation ,in making reallocations to eligible local areas of amounts available pursuant to subparagraph 7,b7 for a program year1 the ,governor shall allocate to each eligible local area within the ,state an amount based on the relative amount of the local allocation for the program year for which the determination is made1 as compared to the total amount of the local allocations for all eligible local areas in the ,state for such program year4 7,d7 ,eligible local area ,for purposes of this paragraph1 the term eligible local area means a local area that meets the requirements under subsection 7c7 and does not have an amount available for reallocation under subparagraph 7,b7 for the program year for which the determination under such subparagraph is made4 7#c7 ,local reservation ,of the amount allocated to a local area under paragraph 7#a71 not more than #g percent of such amount may be used for the administrative costs of carrying out a summer youth employment program under this section1 including costs for participating in regional and national opportunities for in-person peer learning under section #aj7b74 7c7 ,local plans 7#a7 ,in general ,in order for a local area to be eligible for funds under this section1 the local board of the local area shall develop and submit to the ,governor in accordance with paragraph 7#b7 a #d-year plan for the summer employment program4 ,such plan shall1 at a minimum-- 7,a7 not conflict with the local plan submitted by the local board under section #ajh of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cabc71 as determined by the ,governor2 and 7,b7 contain the contents required under paragraph 7#c74 7#b7 ,submission 7,a7 ,in general ,a plan required under this subsection shall be submitted by the local area to the ,governor of such area at such time and in such manner as the ,governor may reasonably require4 7,b7 ,combined plans ,if a local area is seeking funds under this section and section #f1 the plan required under this subsection may be submitted in combination with a plan under such section1 in lieu of the local area submitting #b separate plans4 7#c7 ,contents ,at a minimum1 each plan required under this subsection shall include-- 7,a7 a description of how the local area will carry out the activities described in subsection 7d7 for each program year2 7,b7 a description of how the local area will recruit eligible youth into the summer employment program2 7,c7 the number of eligible youth expected to participate in the program each program year2 7,d7 a description of the services1 including supportive services1 that the program is expected to provide to eligible youth2 7,e7 reasonable goals for performance accountability1 as measured by the primary indicators of performance described in subsection 7e77#a72 7,f7 an assurance that the program will be aligned with the youth workforce investment activities provided under chapter #b of subtitle ,b of title ,i of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cafa et seq472 7,g7 an assurance that the local area will adhere to the labor standards described in section #h2 and 7,h7 any other information as the ,governor may reasonably require4 7d7 ,local use of funds 7#a7 ,in general 7,a7 ,development activities ,a local area that receives an amount allocated under this section and1 at the beginning of a program year1 is not carrying out a summer employment program that meets all requirements under paragraph 7#b7-- 7i7 shall use such amount to-- 7,i7 plan1 develop1 and carry out a summer employment program that meets all such requirements2 and 7,,ii7 conduct outreach to eligible youth and employers2 and 7ii7 may-- 7,i7 use such amount to develop technology infrastructure1 including data and management systems1 to support such program2 and 7,,ii7 use not more than #be percent of such amount to subsidize not more than #ge percent of the wages of each eligible youth participating in the program4 7,b7 ,expansion activities ,a local area that receives an amount allocated under this section and1 at the beginning of a program year1 is carrying out a summer employment program that meets all requirements under paragraph 7#b7-- 7i7 shall use such amount to-- 7,i7 increase the number of summer employment opportunities offered through such program1 including unsubsidized or partly subsidized opportunities and opportunities in the private sector2 7,,ii7 conduct outreach to eligible youth and employers2 and 7,,iii7 subsidize not more than #ej percent of the wages of each eligible youth participating in the program2 and 7ii7 may use such amount to enhance the activities required under paragraph 7#b77;,b74 7#b7 ,program requirements 7,a7 ,program design 7i7 ,in general ,a summer employment program receiving funding under this section shall match each eligible youth participating in the program with an appropriate employer1 based on factors including the needs of the employer and the age1 skill1 and informed aspirations of the eligible youth1 for a high-quality summer employment opportunity1 which may not-- 7,i7 be less than #d weeks2 and 7,,ii7 pay less than the greater of the applicable ,federal1 ,state1 or local minimum wage4 7ii7 ,youth participant eligibility ,an individual1 to be eligible to participate in a summer employment program under this section for a program year1 shall1 at the time the eligibility determination is made1 be an out-of-school youth or an in-school youth4 7,b7 ,program elements ,each summer employment program receiving funding under this section shall include-- 7i7 work-readiness training and educational programs for eligible youth to enhance their summer employment opportunity2 7ii7 coaching and mentoring services for eligible youth participating in the program to enhance their summer employment opportunity and encourage completion of such opportunity through the program2 7iii7 coaching and mentoring services for employers on how to successfully employ eligible youth participating in the program in meaningful work2 7iv7 career and college planning services for eligible youth participating in the program2 7v7 high-quality financial literacy education for eligible youth participating in the program1 including education on the use of credit and financing higher education1 and access to safe and affordable banking accounts with consumer protections2 7vi7 providing supportive services to eligible youth1 or connecting such youth to supportive services provided by another entity1 to enable their participation in the program2 7vii7 integrating services provided by the program with year-round employment programs1 youth development programs1 secondary school programs1 youth workforce investment activities provided under chapter #b of subtitle ,b of title ,i of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cafa et seq471 and skills training programs funded by the ,state or ,federal ,government2 7viii7 referring at least #cj percent of eligible youth participating in the program from or to providers of youth services1 adult employment and training services1 vocational rehabilitation services1 and adult education and literacy services under the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #caja et seq47 or skills training programs funded by the ,state or ,federal ,government2 7ix7 a rigorous evaluation of the program using research approaches appropriate to the level of development and maturity of the program1 including random assignment or quasi-experimental impact evaluations1 implementation evaluations1 pre-experimental studies1 and feasibility studies2 and 7x7 commitment and support from mayors and county executives4 7,c7 ,priority ,in carrying out a summer employment program receiving funding under this section1 a local area shall-- 7i7 give priority to summer employment opportunities-- 7,i7 in existing or emerging in-demand industry sectors or occupations2 or 7,,ii7 that meet community needs in the public1 private1 or nonprofit sector2 and 7ii7 for any program year1 use not less than #ge percent of the amount allotted under this section to provide summer employment opportunities for eligible youth that are in-school youth4 7e7 ,performance accountability 7#a7 ,primary indicators of performance ,for activities funded under this section1 the primary indicators of performance shall include-- 7,a7 the performance metrics described in clauses 7i77,v7 and 7ii77,i7 of section #aaf7;b77#b77;,a7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cada7;b77#b77;,a772 and 7,b7 a work-readiness indicator established by the ,secretary of ,labor4 7#b7 ,failure to meet local performance accountability measures ,if a local area fails1 for any program year1 to meet performance accountability goals identified in its local plan under subsection 7c77#c77;,e71 the ,governor1 or1 upon request by the ,governor1 the ,secretary of ,labor1 shall provide the local area with technical assistance1 which may include assistance in the development of a performance improvement plan4 7f7 ,supplement and not supplant ,any funds made available for summer employment programs under this section shall supplement and not supplant other ,state or local public funds expended for summer youth employment programs or other youth activities funded under section #abi of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cafd74 7g7 ,reports 7#a7 ,in general ,for each year that a local area receives funds under this section to carry out a summer employment program1 the local area shall submit to the ,secretary of ,labor and the ,governor a report with-- 7,a7 the number of eligible youth participating in the program1 including the number of such youth that are in-school youth and that are out-of-school youth2 7,b7 the number of eligible youth participating in the program who complete a summer employment opportunity through the program2 7,c7 the expenditures made from the amounts allocated under this section1 including expenditures made to provide eligible youth participating in such program with supportive services2 7,d7 a description of how the local area has used amounts allocated under this section to develop or expand a summer youth employment program1 including a description of program activities and services provided to eligible youth1 including supportive services provided and the number of eligible youth participating in such program and accessing such services2 7,e7 the source and amount of funding for the wages of each eligible youth participating in the program2 7,f7 information specifying the levels of performance achieved with respect to the primary indicators of performance for the program described in subsection 7e77#a72 7,g7 the average number of hours and weeks worked and the average amount of wages earned by eligible youth participating in the program2 7,h7 the percent of eligible youth participating in the program that are placed in-- 7i7 an employment opportunity in the nonprofit sector2 7ii7 an employment opportunity in the public sector2 and 7iii7 an employment opportunity in the private sector2 and 7,i7 any other information that the ,secretary of ,labor determines necessary to monitor the effectiveness of the summer employment program4 7#b7 ,disaggregation ,the information required to be reported under subparagraphs 7,a71 7,b71 and 7,g7 of paragraph 7#a7 shall be disaggregated by race1 ethnicity1 sex1 age1 and the subpopulations described in subclauses 7,i7 through 7,,vi7 of section #abi7;a77#a77;,b77iii7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cafd7;a77#a77;,b77iii774 #f4 ,year-round employment for opportunity youth 7a7 ,in general ,of the amount available under section #d7;a77#b7 that is not reserved under section #d7;b71 the ,secretary of ,labor shall1 for the purpose of carrying out year-round employment programs under this section-- 7#a7 after making the reservation described in paragraph 7#b71 make an allotment of the remainder of such amount in accordance with section #abg7;b77#a77;,c77ii7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cafb7;b77#a77;,c77ii77 to each ,state that meets the requirements of section #ajb or #ajc of such ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #caab1 #caac72 and 7#b7 reserve not more than one-quarter of #a percent of such amount to provide assistance to the outlying areas4 7b7 ,within state allocations 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,governor of a ,state1 in accordance with the ,state plan developed under section #ajb or #ajc of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #caab1 #caac71 shall allocate the amounts that are allotted to the ,state under subsection 7a77#a7 to local areas meeting the requirements under subsection 7c7 in accordance with the allocation described section #abh7;b77#b77;,a77i7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cafc7;b77#b77;,a77i77 for the purpose of developing and expanding year-round employment programs under this section4 7#b7 ,reallocation among local areas 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,governor may1 after consultation with the ,state board1 reallocate to eligible local areas within the ,state amounts that are made available to local areas from allocations made under this section 7referred to in this paragraph as a local allocation7 and that are available for reallocation in accordance with this paragraph4 7,b7 ,amount ,the amount available for reallocation for a program year is equal to the amount by which the unobligated balance of the local allocation1 at the end of the program year prior to the program year for which the determination under this paragraph is made1 exceeds #bj percent of such allocation for the prior program year4 7,c7 ,reallocation ,in making reallocations to eligible local areas of amounts available pursuant to subparagraph 7,b7 for a program year1 the ,governor shall allocate to each eligible local area within the ,state an amount based on the relative amount of the local allocation for the program year for which the determination is made1 as compared to the total amount of the local allocations for all eligible local areas in the ,state for such program year4 7,d7 ,eligible local area ,for purposes of this paragraph1 the term eligible local area means a local area that meets the requirements under subsection 7c7 and does not have an amount available for reallocation under subparagraph 7,b7 for the program year for which the determination under such subparagraph is made4 7#c7 ,local reservation ,of the amount allocated to a local area under paragraph 7#a71 not more than #g percent of such amount may be used for the administrative costs of carrying out a year-round employment program under this section1 including costs for participating in regional and national opportunities for in-person peer learning under section #aj4 7c7 ,local plans 7#a7 ,in general ,in order for a local area to be eligible for funds under this section1 the local board of the local area shall develop and submit to the ,governor in accordance with paragraph 7#b7 a #d-year plan for the year-round employment program4 ,such plan shall1 at a minimum-- 7,a7 not conflict with the local plan submitted by the local board under section #ajh of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cabc71 as determined by the ,governor2 and 7,b7 contain the contents required under paragraph 7#c74 7#b7 ,submission 7,a7 ,in general ,a plan required under this subsection shall be submitted by the local area to the ,governor of such area at such time and in such manner as the ,governor may reasonably require4 7,b7 ,combined plans ,if a local area is seeking funds under this section and section #e1 the plan required under this subsection may be submitted in combination with a plan under such section1 in lieu of the local area submitting #b separate plans4 7#c7 ,contents ,at a minimum1 each plan required under this subsection shall include-- 7,a7 a description of how the local area will carry out the activities described in subsection 7d7 for each program year2 7,b7 a description of how the local area will recruit eligible youth to participate in the program2 7,c7 the number of eligible youth expected to participate in the program each program year2 7,d7 a description of the services provided1 including supportive services1 that the program is expected to provide to eligible youth2 7,e7 reasonable goals for performance accountability1 as measured by the primary indicators of performance described in subsection 7e77#a72 7,f7 an assurance that the program will be aligned with the youth investment activities provided under chapter #b of subtitle ,b of title ,i of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cafa et seq472 7,g7 an assurance that the local area will adhere to the labor standards outlined in section #h2 and 7,h7 any other information as the ,governor may reasonably require4 7d7 ,local use of funds 7#a7 ,in general 7,a7 ,development activities ,a local area that receives an amount allocated under this section and1 at the beginning of a program year1 is not carrying out a year-round employment program that meets all of the requirements under paragraph 7#b7-- 7i7 shall use such amount to-- 7,i7 plan1 develop1 and carry out a year-round employment program that meets all such requirements2 and 7,,ii7 conduct outreach to eligible youth and employers2 and 7ii7 may-- 7,i7 use such amount to develop technology infrastructure1 including data and management systems1 to support such program2 and 7,,ii7 use not more than #cj percent of such amount to subsidize the wages of each eligible youth participating in such program4 7,b7 ,expansion activities ,a local area that receives an amount allocated under this section and1 at the beginning of a program year1 is carrying out a year-round employment program that meets all requirements under paragraph 7#b7-- 7i7 shall use such amount to-- 7,i7 increase the number of year-round employment opportunities offered through such program1 including unsubsidized or partly subsidized opportunities and opportunities in the private sector2 7,,ii7 conduct outreach to eligible youth and employers2 and 7,,iii7 subsidize the wages of each eligible youth participating in such program2 and 7ii7 may use such amount to enhance the activities required under paragraph 7#b77;,b74 7#b7 ,local elements 7,a7 ,program ,design 7i7 ,in general ,a year-round employment program receiving funding under this section shall match each eligible youth participating in the program with an appropriate employer1 based on factors including the needs of the employer and the age1 skill1 and informed aspirations of the participant1 for high-quality year-round employment1 which may not-- 7,i7 be less than #ahj days and more than #a year2 7,,ii7 pay less than the greater of the applicable ,federal1 ,state1 or local minimum wage2 and 7,,iii7 employ the eligible youth for less than #bj hours per week4 7ii7 ,employer share of wages ,a year-round employment program receiving funding under this section shall require not less than #be percent of the wages of each eligible youth participating in the program to be paid by the employer1 except this requirement may be waived for not more than #aj percent of eligible youth participating in the program that have a significant barrier to employment as defined by the local board of the local area carrying out the program4 7iii7 ,youth participant eligibility ,an individual1 to be eligible to participate in a year-round employment program under this section for a program year1 shall1 at the time the eligibility determination is made1 be an out-of-school youth or an in-school youth4 7,b7 ,program elements ,a year-round program receiving funding under this section shall include-- 7i7 work-readiness training and educational programs for eligible youth to enhance their year-round employment opportunity2 7ii7 coaching and mentoring services for eligible youth participating in the program to enhance their year-round employment opportunity and encourage completion of such opportunity through the program2 7iii7 coaching and mentoring services for employers on how to successfully employ each eligible youth participating in the program in meaningful work2 7iv7 career and college planning services for eligible youth participating in the program2 7v7 high-quality financial literacy education for eligible youth participating in the program1 including education on the use of credit and financing higher education1 and access to safe and affordable banking accounts with consumer protections2 7vi7 providing supportive services to eligible youth1 or connecting such youth to supportive services provided by another entity1 to enable participation in the program2 7vii7 integration of services provided by the program with youth development programs1 secondary school programs1 youth workforce investment activities under chapter #b of subtitle ,b of title ,i of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cafa et seq471 and skills training programs funded by the ,state or ,federal ,government2 7viii7 referring at least #cj percent of eligible youth participating in the program from or to providers of youth services1 adult employment and training services1 vocational rehabilitation services1 and adult education and literacy services under the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #caja et seq471 or skills training programs funded by the ,state or ,federal ,government2 7ix7 a rigorous evaluation of such program using research approaches appropriate to the level of development and maturity of the program1 including random assignment or quasi-experimental impact evaluations1 implementation evaluations1 pre-experimental studies1 and feasibility studies2 and 7x7 commitment and support from mayors or county executives4 7,c7 ,priority ,in carrying out a year-round employment program receiving funding under this section1 a local area shall give priority to year-round employment opportunities-- 7i7 in existing or emerging in-demand industry sectors or occupations2 or 7ii7 that meet community needs in the public1 private1 or nonprofit sector4 7e7 ,performance accountability 7#a7 ,in general ,for activities funded under this section1 the primary indicators of performance shall include-- 7,a7 the performance metrics described in clauses 7i77,,iii71 7i77,v71 7ii77,i71 and 7ii77,,ii7 of section #aaf7;b77#b77;,a7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cada7;b77#b77;,a772 and 7,b7 a work-readiness indicator established by the ,secretary of ,labor4 7#b7 ,failure to meet local performance accountability measures ,if a local area fails1 for any program year1 to meet performance accountability goals identified in its plan under subsection 7c77#c77;,e71 the ,governor1 or1 upon request by the ,governor1 the ,secretary of ,labor1 shall provide the local area with technical assistance1 which may include assistance in the development of a performance improvement plan4 7f7 ,supplement and not supplant ,any funds made available for year-round employment programs under this section shall supplement and not supplant other ,state or local public funds expended for year-round youth employment programs or other youth activities funded under section #abi of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cafd74 7g7 ,reports 7#a7 ,in general ,for each year that a local area receives funds under this section for a year-round employment program1 the local area shall submit to the ,secretary of ,labor and the ,governor a report with-- 7,a7 the number of eligible youth participating in the program2 7,b7 the number of eligible youth participating in the program who complete a year-round employment opportunity through the program2 7,c7 the expenditures made from the amounts allocated under this section1 including expenditures made to provide eligible youth participating in the program with supportive services2 7,d7 a description of how the local area has used amounts allocated under this section to develop or expand a year-round employment program1 including a description of the program activities and services1 including the supportive services provided and the number of eligible youth participating in the program and accessing such services2 7,e7 the source and amount of funding for the wages of each eligible youth participating in the program2 7,f7 information specifying the levels of performance achieved with respect to the primary indicators of performance described in subsection 7e77#a7 for the program2 7,g7 the average number of hours and weeks worked and the average amount of wages earned by eligible youth participating in the program2 7,h7 the percent of eligible youth participating in the program that are placed in-- 7i7 an employment opportunity in the nonprofit sector2 7ii7 an employment opportunity in the public sector2 and 7iii7 an employment opportunity in the private sector2 7,i7 the number of eligible youth participating in the program who are asked by the employer to remain employed by the employer after the end of the year-round employment and the number of youth participants remaining employed by the employer for not less than #ij days after the end of the year-round employment2 and 7,j7 any other information that the ,secretary of ,labor determines necessary to monitor the effectiveness of the program4 7#b7 ,disaggregation ,the information required to be reported under subparagraphs 7,a71 7,b71 and 7,g7 of paragraph 7#a7 shall be disaggregated by race1 ethnicity1 sex1 age1 and each subpopulation described in subclauses 7,i7 through 7,,vi7 of section #abi7;a77#a77;,b77iii7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cafd7;a77#a77;,b77iii774 #g4 ,connecting-for-opportunities competitive grant program 7a7 ,in general ,of the amount available under section #d7;a77#c7 that is not reserved under section #d7;b71 the ,secretary of ,labor shall1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,education1 award grants on a competitive basis to assist local community partnerships in improving high school graduation and youth employment rates4 7b7 ,local community partnerships 7#a7 ,mandatory partners ,a local community partnership awarded a grant under this section shall1 at a minimum1 include in the partnership-- 7,a7 a unit of general local government2 7,b7 a local educational agency2 7,c7 an institution of higher education2 7,d7 a local board2 7,e7 a community-based organization with experience or expertise in working with youth2 7,f7 a public agency serving youth under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system or criminal justice system2 7,g7 a ,state or local child welfare agency2 and 7,h7 an agency administering programs under part ,a of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fja et seq474 7#b7 ,optional partners ,a local community partnership awarded a grant under this section may1 in addition to the required partners under paragraph 7#a71 include in the partnership-- 7,a7 one-stop centers2 7,b7 employers or employer associations2 7,c7 representatives of labor organizations2 7,d7 entities that carry out programs that receive funding under the ,juvenile ,justice and ,delinquency ,prevention ,act of #aigd 7#cd ,u4,s4,c4 #aaaja et seq472 7,e7 public agencies or community-based organizations with expertise in providing counseling services1 including trauma-informed and gender-responsive counseling2 7,f7 public housing agencies1 collaborative applicants1 as defined in section #dja of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aacfj71 or private nonprofit organizations that serve homeless youth and households or foster youth2 and 7,g7 other appropriate ,state and local agencies4 7c7 ,application ,a local community partnership desiring a grant under this section shall submit to the ,secretary of ,labor an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may reasonably require4 ,at a minimum1 each application shall include a comprehensive plan that-- 7#a7 demonstrates sufficient need for the grant in the local population1 which need may be demonstrated with indicators including-- 7,a7 a high rate of high school dropouts and youth unemployment2 and 7,b7 a high percentage or number of low-income individuals in the local population2 7#b7 demonstrates the capacity of each local community partnership to carry out the activities described in subsection 7d72 7#c7 does not conflict with the local plan submitted by the local board under section #ajh of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cabc71 the local plan for career and technical education programs authorized under the ,carl ,d4 ,perkins ,career and ,technical ,education ,act of #bjjf 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #bcja et seq47 7if not part of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act local plan71 and the ,state plan for programs under part ,a of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fja et seq472 and 7#d7 includes an assurance that the local community partnership will adhere to the labor standards outlined in section #h4 7d7 ,use of funds ,a local community partnership receiving a grant under this section shall use the grant funds-- 7#a7 to target and serve individuals not younger than age #ad or older than age #bd2 7#b7 to make appropriate use of education1 child welfare1 social services1 and workforce development data collection systems to facilitate the local community partnership's ability to target and serve the individuals described in paragraph 7#a72 7#c7 to develop wide-ranging pathways to higher education and employment1 including-- 7,a7 using not less than #ej percent of the grant funds to help individuals described in paragraph 7#a7 complete their secondary school education through various alternative means1 including through high-quality1 flexible programs that utilize evidence-based interventions and provide differentiated services 7or pathways7 to students-- 7i7 who are returning to education after exiting secondary school without a regular high school diploma2 or 7ii7 who1 based on their grade or age1 are significantly off track to accumulate sufficient academic credits to meet high school graduation requirements1 as established by the ,state2 7,b7 creating career pathways1 focused on paid work-based learning consisting of on-the-job training and classroom instruction1 that-- 7i7 will lead to credential attainment2 and 7ii7 includes1 to the maximum extent practicable1 learning through registered apprenticeship programs and pre-apprenticeship programs2 7,c7 connecting individuals described in paragraph 7#a7 with professionals who can provide such individuals with pre-employment and employment counseling and assist such individuals in-- 7i7 finding and securing employment or work-based learning opportunities that pay not less than the greater of the applicable ,federal1 ,state1 or local minimum wage2 7ii7 identifying and assessing eligibility for training programs and funding for such programs2 7iii7 completing necessary paperwork for applying for and enrolling in such programs2 and 7iv7 identifying additional services1 if needed2 7,d7 connecting individuals described in paragraph 7#a7 with providers of-- 7i7 youth services1 adult employment and training services1 vocational rehabilitation services1 and adult education and literacy services1 under the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #caja et seq472 7ii7 career planning services2 and 7iii7 federally and ,state funded programs that provide skills training2 and 7,e7 ensuring that such individuals successfully transition into pre-apprenticeship programs1 registered apprenticeship programs1 or programs leading to recognized postsecondary credentials in in-demand industry sectors or occupations2 7#d7 to provide a comprehensive system aimed at preventing the individuals described in paragraph 7#a7 from disconnecting from education1 training1 and employment1 and aimed at re-engaging any such individual who has been so disconnected1 by-- 7,a7 providing school-based dropout prevention and community-based dropout recovery services1 including establishing or improving school district early warning systems that-- 7i7 connect such systems to data gathering and reporting systems established under the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #caja et seq47 for the purpose of identifying the individuals described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7ii7 engage any such identified individual using targeted1 evidence-based interventions to address the specific needs and issues of the individual1 including chronic absenteeism2 and 7,b7 providing the individuals described in paragraph 7#a7 with access to re-engagement services for training programs and employment opportunities and using providers of youth services under the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #caja et seq47 to conduct intake and refer such individuals and their families to the appropriate re-engagement service2 and 7#e7 to provide a comprehensive system of support for the individuals described in paragraph 7#a71 including-- 7,a7 connecting such individuals with professionals who can-- 7i7 provide case management and counseling services2 and 7ii7 assist such individuals in-- 7,i7 developing achievable short-term goals and long-term goals2 and 7,,ii7 overcoming any social1 administrative1 or financial barrier that may hinder the achievement of such goals2 and 7,b7 providing or connecting participants with available supportive services4 7e7 ,priority in awards ,in awarding grants under this section1 the ,secretary of ,labor shall give priority to applications submitted by local community partnerships that include a comprehensive plan that-- 7#a7 serves and targets communities with a high percentage of low-income individuals and high rates of high school dropouts and youth unemployment2 and 7#b7 allows the individuals described in paragraph 7#a7 to earn academic credit through various means1 including high-quality career and technical education1 dual enrollment programs1 or work-based learning4 7f7 ,geographic distribution ,the ,secretary shall ensure that consideration is given to geographic distribution 7such as urban and rural areas7 in awarding grants under this section4 7g7 ,performance accountability ,for activities funded under this section1 the primary indicators of performance shall include-- 7#a7 the performance metrics described in clauses 7i77,,iii71 7i77,,iv71 7i77,v71 7ii77,i71 and 7ii77,,ii7 of section #aaf7;b77#b77;,a7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cada7;b77#b77;,a772 7#b7 the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate and the extended-year adjusted cohort graduation rate in a ,state that chooses to use such a graduation rate2 and 7#c7 the rate of attaining a recognized equivalent of a diploma1 such as a general equivalency diploma4 7h7 ,reports ,for each year that a local community partnership administers a program under this section1 the local community partnership shall submit to the ,secretary of ,labor and1 if applicable1 the ,state a report on-- 7#a7 the number of youth participants in the program1 including the number of in-school and out-of-school youth1 disaggregated by race1 ethnicity1 sex1 age1 and status as a subpopulation described in any of subclauses 7,i7 through 7,,vii7 of section #abi7;a77#a77;,b77iii7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cafd7;a77#a77;,b77iii772 7#b7 the expenditures made from the amounts allocated under this section1 including any expenditures made to provide youth participants with supportive services2 7#c7 a description of program activities and services provided1 including supportive services provided and the number of youth participants accessing such services2 7#d7 information specifying the levels of performance achieved with respect to the primary indicators of performance described in subsection 7g7 for the program1 disaggregated as described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7#e7 any other information that the ,secretary of ,labor determines necessary to monitor the effectiveness of the program4 #h4 ,labor standards ,any activity funded under this ,act shall be subject to-- 7#a7 the requirements and restrictions1 including the labor standards1 that apply to activities under title ,i of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #caaa et seq47 as provided under section #aha of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cbda72 7#b7 the requirements for nondiscrimination that apply to activities under such title as provided under section #ahh of such ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cbdh72 and 7#c7 any other applicable ,federal law4 #i4 ,privacy ,nothing in this ,act-- 7#a7 shall be construed to supersede the privacy protections afforded parents and students under section #ddd of the ,general ,education ,provisions ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #abcb;g72 or 7#b7 shall be construed to permit the development of a national database of personally identifiable information on individuals receiving services under this ,act4 #aj4 ,innovation and learning ,out of the amount reserved under section #d7;b77#a71 the ,secretary of ,labor shall-- 7#a7 provide technical assistance to ensure providers have sufficient organizational capacity1 staff training1 and expertise to effectively implement the programs under this ,act2 7#b7 create regional and national opportunities for in-person peer learning2 and 7#c7 provide on a competitive basis subgrants to ,states and local areas to-- 7,a7 conduct pilot programs and demonstration programs using emerging and evidence-based best practices and models for youth employment programs2 and 7,b7 evaluate such programs using designs that employ the most rigorous analytical and statistical methods that are reasonably feasible4 #aa4 ,evaluation and reports 7a7 ,evaluation ,not earlier than #a year1 or later than #b years1 after the date described in section #d7;c71 the ,secretary of ,labor shall conduct an evaluation of the programs administered under this ,act4 7b7 ,reports to congress ,not later than #e years after the date described in section #d7;c71 the ,secretary of ,labor shall transmit to the ,committee on ,education and the ,workforce of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate1 a final report on the results of the evaluation conducted under subsection 7a74 #ab4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,,esea terms ,the terms extended-year adjusted cohort graduation rate1 evidence-based1 four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate1 local educational agency1 and secondary school have the meanings given such terms in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja74 7#b7 ,indian terms ,the terms ,alaska ,native entity1 ,indian1 ,indian tribe1 ,national ,hawaiian organization1 and tribal organization have the meanings given such terms in section #aff of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cbba74 7#c7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja74 7#d7 ,registered apprenticeship program ,the term registered apprenticeship program has the meaning given such term in section #aga7;b7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cbbf7;b774 7#e7 ,other wioa terms ,the terms administrative costs1 career and technical education1 career pathway1 career planning1 community-based organization1 ,governor1 in-demand industry sector or occupation1 in-school youth1 local area1 local board1 low-income individual1 one-stop center1 on-the-job training1 outlying area1 out-of-school youth1 school dropout1 ,state1 ,state board1 supportive services1 unemployed individual1 and unit of general local government have the meanings given such terms in section #c of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cajb74