,i #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #afcd ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,march #g1 #bjai,ms4 ,wilson of ,florida introduced the following bill2 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 model4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,youth ,corps ,act of #bjai4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,nationally1 there are an estimated #e1ejj1jjj youth1 ages #af through #bd1 out-of-school and out-of-work1 with an additional over #ejj1jjj young people dropping out of school each year4 ,at present1 the unemployment rate for youth ages #af through #bd is approximately #ag percent4 ,for youth who are in low-income or minority communities1 or who have disabilities1 this rate is significantly higher4 7#b7 ,youth ,service and ,conservation ,corps programs1 descended from the ,civilian ,conservation ,corps of the #aicjs1 have been preparing disadvantaged and disconnected youth for careers in resource conservation1 environmental restoration1 land management1 building renovation and weatherization1 education1 human services1 health care1 homeland security1 and disaster relief for over #d decades4 ,to date1 nearly a million young people have found a new start through a ,youth ,service and ,conservation ,corps program4 7#c7 ,today1 over #abe ,youth ,service and ,conservation ,corps programs are being carried out in #ej ,states and the ,district of ,columbia1 and employing a research-driven strategy1 called the ,youth ,corps model1 to reengage and provide educational and economic opportunity to around #cj1jjj young people each year4 ,these ,corps members participate in #ac4e million hours of community service annually4 7#d7 ,according to a recent study by the ,corporation for ,national and ,community ,service1 participating in service increases your likelihood of finding employment by #bg percent4 ,when limited to individuals living in rural areas or without a high school diploma1 the increase in likelihood of gaining employment jumps to #ee percent and #ea percent1 respectively4 7#e7 ,due to the many benefits and positive outcomes1 not only for program participants but also for the communities in which they serve1 the ,youth ,corps model is a proven strategy for reengaging disconnected youth in education and the workforce1 while improving communities and the environment4 #c4 ,youth ,corps programs 7a7 ,in ,general ,subtitle ,d of title ,i of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cbba et seq47 is amended by inserting after section #aga 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cbbf7 the following new section3 #aga;,b4 ,youth ,corps programs 7a7 ,purpose ,the purpose of this section is to utilize service1 environmental stewardship1 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 #bast century1 and instill in them a sense of civic engagement and environmental stewardship4 7b7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means a public or private nonprofit agency or organization 7including a consortium of such agencies or organizations71 including-- 7,a7 a community-based organization2 7,b7 a faith-based organization2 7,c7 a community action agency2 7,d7 a community development corporation2 7,e7 an entity carrying out activities under this title1 such as a local board2 7,f7 an ,indian tribe or other agency primarily serving ,indians2 7,g7 a public or private institution of higher education2 7,h7 a ,state or unit of general local government2 or 7,i7 a ,state or local youth service or conservation corps4 7#b7 ,eligible youth ,notwithstanding section #c1 the term eligible youth means an individual eligible to participate in a ,youth ,corps program in accordance with subsection 7d74 7#c7 ,indian2 ,indian tribe ,the terms ,indian and ,indian tribe have the meanings given the terms in section #aff7;b74 7#d7 ,participant ,the term participant includes a recipient of services under paragraph 7#e77;,f74 7#e7 ,youth ,corps model ,the term ,youth ,corps model means a model for a youth education and training program for which an eligible entity-- 7,a7 provides eligible youth with stipended or paid work experience1 and basic and technical skills training leading1 at a minimum1 to an outcome consisting of-- 7i7 enrollment in postsecondary education or training2 7ii7 attainment of an industry-recognized certification or credential2 7iii7 meaningful employment in the economy of the #bast century2 or 7iv7 military service2 7,b7 provides eligible youth with opportunities for educational advancement1 including the attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent1 or other ,state-recognized credential2 7,c7 engages eligible youth to work1 in teams or crews under the leadership of adult mentors and trainers1 on service and conservation projects designed to improve the communities in which the youth live and the environment2 7,d7 works with youth- and family-serving systems1 such as child welfare and justice systems1 to provide and coordinate supportive services for education and training program participants2 7,e7 works with program partners in the local workforce investment system1 institutions of higher education1 or other community-based organizations to develop pathways to subsequent enrollment in education or training1 attainment of an industry-recognized certification or credential1 meaningful employment1 or service as described in subparagraph 7,a72 and 7,f7 provides #ab months of followup services and tracking for the program graduates4 7c7 ,youth ,corps grants 7#a7 ,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 section4 7#b7 ,term of grants ,the ,secretary is authorized to make the grants for terms of up to #c years in length1 and is authorized to renew the grants4 7#c7 ,eligible activities ,an entity that receives a grant under this subsection-- 7,a7 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 participants1 prior to graduation from the program-- 7i7 education1 which may include-- 7,i7 basic instruction and remedial education2 7,,ii7 language instruction for individuals with limited ,english proficiency2 7,,iii7 secondary education services and activities1 including dropout prevention1 tutoring1 and other activities1 that-- 7aa7 are designed to lead to the attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent1 or other ,state-recognized credential 7including a credential for meeting recognized alternative standards for individuals with disabilities72 and 7bb7 are delivered in conjunction with project-based service-learning to the maximum degree practicable2 and 7,,iv7 preparation for and access to postsecondary education opportunities1 including counseling and assistance with applying for student financial aid2 7ii7 work readiness training1 which may include-- 7,i7 development of basic skills1 such as-- 7aa7 arriving on time to work2 7bb7 being prepared to work2 7cc7 following directions2 7dd7 working independently2 7ee7 working with others2 7ff7 working safely2 and 7gg7 demonstrating a commitment to produce high-quality work2 7,,ii7 development of job-specific occupational skills and on-the-job training2 7,,iii7 stipended or paid work experience that provides participants with insights into the professional work environment2 7,,iv7 activities designed to lead to-- 7aa7 the attainment of an industry-recognized certification or credential2 or 7bb7 meaningful employment in the economy of the #bast century2 7,v7 career counseling and job search assistance2 and 7,,vi7 provision of a job developer to cultivate relationships with local employers to hire program graduates2 7iii7 supportive services1 which may include-- 7,i7 needs-related payments2 7,,ii7 health care1 including mental health care such as drug and alcohol abuse counseling2 7,,iii7 child care2 and 7,,iv7 transportation2 7iv7 provision of wages1 stipends1 or benefits2 7v7 development and monitoring of individual education and career plans2 7vi7 service and conservation projects1 designed to develop civic engagement and environmental stewardship2 7vii7 supervision and training on those projects2 and 7viii7 adult mentoring2 7,b7 shall use the funds made available through the grant1 in carrying out the ,youth ,corps program1 to provide followup services and tracking for program graduates2 and 7,c7 may use the funds made available through the grant for-- 7i7 ongoing training and technical assistance that is related to the development1 implementation1 and sustainability of the program2 and 7ii7 payment of administrative expenses4 7#d7 ,application 7,a7 ,in general ,in order to be qualified to receive a grant for a program under this subsection1 an eligible entity shall submit an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7,b7 ,minimum requirements ,the ,secretary shall require that the application contain1 at a minimum-- 7i7 a request for the grant1 specifying the amount of the grant requested and the proposed uses for the grant funds2 7ii7 a description of the applicant and a statement of its qualifications1 including a description of the applicant's-- 7,i7 past experience with youth education and training programs2 and 7,,ii7 relationships with local boards1 one-stop operators and one-stop partners1 local labor organizations1 entities carrying out registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs1 employers1 institutions of higher education1 and other community-based organizations who are proposed as members of the program partnership2 7iii7 a description of the educational and work readiness training activities 7including paid work opportunities71 secondary education1 preparation for and access to postsecondary education and training opportunities1 and other services that will be provided to participants1 and how those activities1 opportunities1 and services will prepare eligible youth for an outcome described in subsection 7b77#e77;,a71 and instill in them a sense of civic engagement and environmental stewardship2 7iv7 a description of the proposed service and conservation projects to be undertaken under the grant1 how the project activities will improve the affected community or environment1 and the anticipated schedule for carrying out such activities2 7v7 a description of the manner in which eligible youth will be recruited and selected as participants1 including a description of any coordination with local boards1 one-stop operators and one-stop partners1 community-based organizations1 faith-based organizations1 ,state educational agencies 7as defined in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja77 or local educational agencies 7including agencies of ,indian tribes71 public assistance agencies1 local courts1 probation and parole offices1 the justice system1 agencies serving homeless youth1 foster care agencies1 the ,armed ,forces1 and other appropriate public and private agencies2 7vi7 a description of how the proposed program will be coordinated with other ,federal1 ,state1 and local activities and activities conducted by ,indian tribes1 such as local workforce investment activities1 career and technical education programs1 programs of adult education and literary activities1 activities conducted by public schools1 activities conducted by community colleges1 national and community service programs1 and other non-school-based education or training provided with funds available under this title2 7vii7 a description of results to be achieved with respect to performance indicators described in subsection 7e72 7viii7 a detailed budget and a description of the system of fiscal controls1 and auditing and accountability procedures1 that will be used to ensure fiscal soundness for the proposed program2 and 7ix7 a description of the commitments of any additional resources 7in addition to the grant funds7 by the applicant or any program partners4 7#e7 ,selection criteria ,for an applicant to be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection1 the applicant and the applicant's proposed program shall meet such selection criteria as the ,secretary shall establish under this section1 which shall include criteria relating to-- 7,a7 the qualifications or potential capabilities of an applicant2 7,b7 an applicant's potential for developing and implementing a successful education and training program utilizing the ,youth ,corps model2 7,c7 the need for an applicant's proposed program1 as determined by the degree of economic distress of the community from which participants would be recruited 7measured by indicators such as poverty1 youth unemployment1 and the number of individuals who have dropped out of secondary school72 7,d7 the need for the applicant's proposed service and conservation projects by the affected community or environmental area2 7,e7 the ability of an applicant to provide the education1 training1 and other services described in paragraph 7#c7 that are necessary to prepare participants for an outcome described in subsection 7b77#e77;,a72 7,f7 the extent of an applicant's ability to coordinate and partner with local boards1 one-stop operators and one-stop partners1 local labor organizations1 entities carrying out registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs1 employers1 institutions of higher education1 and other community-based organizations who are proposed as members of the program partnership to provide participants with an outcome described in subsection 7b77#e77;,a72 7,g7 the extent of the applicant's coordination of activities with entities carrying out public education1 criminal justice1 housing and community development1 national and community service1 postsecondary education1 or other systems that relate to the goals of the proposed program2 7,h7 the extent of the commitment of additional resources 7in addition to the grant funds7 to the proposed program by the applicant or any program partners2 and 7,i7 such other factors as the ,secretary determines to be appropriate for purposes of carrying out the proposed program in an effective and efficient manner4 7d7 ,additional program requirements 7#a7 ,eligible individuals 7,a7 ,in general ,notwithstanding section #aja1 for purposes of this section an individual shall be eligible to participate in a ,youth ,corps program only if such individual is-- 7i7 7,i7 not less than age #af and not more than age #bd1 on the date of enrollment2 and 7,,ii7 7aa7 a low-income individual1 a youth in foster care 7including youth aging out of foster care71 a formerly incarcerated or court-involved youth1 a child of an incarcerated parent1 a youth who is an individual with a disability1 or a migrant youth2 or 7bb7 a school dropout2 or 7ii7 eligible to participate under subparagraph 7,b74 7,b7 ,exception for individuals not meeting income or educational need requirements ,not more than #be percent of the individuals selected to be participants in such program may be individuals who do not meet the requirements of subclause 7,,ii7 of subparagraph 7,a77i74 7,c7 ,participants ,for purposes of ,federal law1 participants in a ,youth ,corps program under this section shall be considered participants of the program rather than employees of the program4 7#b7 ,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 #f months and not more than #bd months4 7e7 ,performance indicators ,recipients of grants for programs under subsection 7c7 shall report annually to the ,secretary concerning the following performance indicators3 7#a7 ,program enrollment rates4 7#b7 ,program attendance rates4 7#c7 ,attainment of a diploma1 equivalent1 or credential described in subsection 7c77#c77;,a77i77,,iii74 7#d7 ,rates of program completion1 including early release for meaningful employment in the economy of the #bast century4 7#e7 ,rates of outcomes described in subsection 7b77#e77;,a7 for program graduates4 7#f7 ,wages of program graduates4 7#g7 ,post-program employment retention rates4 7#h7 ,such other performance indicators as may be reasonably required by the ,secretary4 7f7 ,management and technical assistance 7#a7 ,secretary assistance ,the ,secretary may enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with or make grants to #a or more entities to provide assistance to the ,secretary in the management1 supervision1 and coordination of the program carried out under this section4 7#b7 ,technical assistance 7,a7 ,contracts1 cooperative agreements1 and grants ,the ,secretary shall enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with or make grants to #a or more qualified national nonprofit organizations with a demonstrated record of experience with and achievement in developing and implementing the ,youth ,corps model1 in order to provide training1 information1 and technical assistance to recipients of grants under subsection 7c74 7,b7 ,reservation of funds ,of the amounts available under section #agb7;g7 to carry out this section for a fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall reserve #e percent to carry out subparagraph 7,a74 7#c7 ,evaluation 7,a7 ,contracts1 cooperative agreements1 and grants ,the ,secretary shall enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with or make grants to #a or more qualified national nonprofit organizations with a demonstrated record of experience with and achievement in developing and implementing the ,youth ,corps model1 for the purpose of conducting data collection and evaluation4 7,b7 ,reservation of funds ,of the amounts available under section #agb7;g7 to carry out this section for a fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall reserve #a percent to carry out subparagraph 7,a74 7#d7 ,capacity building grants ,for each fiscal year1 the ,secretary may use not more than #c percent of the amounts available under section #agb7;g7 to award grants to #a 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 7c74 4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents in section #a7;b7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #aga the following3 ,sec4 #aga;,b4 ,youth ,corps programs4 4 #d4 ,authorization of appropriations ,section #agb of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cbbg7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7g7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out section #aga;,b such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbe4 4