TRAINING SERIES WIA Youth Activities and Services WIA Workforce Investment Act

WIA Youth Programs CC losely linked to local market needs and community youth programs and services SS trong connection between academic and occupational learning PP romotes youth development and citizenship WIA

WIA Youth Activities Purpose of WIA Youth Activities: TT o provide effective and comprehensive activities with a variety of options for improving educational and skill competencies TT o lead to academic and employment success TT o provide effective connections to employers TT o provide supportive services to eligible youth WIA

Step 1: Objective Assessment Purpose of assessment: HH elp youth confirm interests, skills and experiences II dentify internal and external factors that support or impede success II dentify information that will enable service providers to effectively target and tailor support EE valuate and monitor progress and ultimately results WIA

Asset-Based Assessment  Emphasis on strengths and interests  Emphasis on personal and social support  Positive approach to identifying issues and barriers  Working with partners  Feedback and opportunity for dialogue  Alignment with WIA Youth Outcomes WIA

Assessment Identifies:  General educational matters  Relationship to the world of work  Career choices  Barriers  Internal and external resources WIA

Assessment Methods  Off-the-shelf tests & surveys  Checklists  Interviews of client  Information from individuals that are part of the youth’s life  Activity evaluation, such as job shadowing, mentor report, portfolio WIA

General Education Matters Youth assessment requires:  Literacy & numeracy assessment  School status (in or out of school)  Dropout status  Highest grade completed WIA

General Education Matters WIA Educational Activities include:  Basic skills training  Tutoring  Study skills training  Dropout prevention strategies, such as alternative schooling, after-school opportunities, etc.  Occupational skills training WIA

The World of Work Assessment of Youth’s Relationship to Work PP rior employment II nternships JJ ob Shadowing VV olunteering WIA

Career Assessment Career assessments help determine what type of job would be a good match. Such assessments may include: II nterests AA ptitudes WW ork and personal values OO ther tests (personality, communication, etc) WIA

Labor Market Information Labor market information tool: EE mployment trends and job projections WW age information LL abor force skills/quality EE mployers and employment opportunities EE ducational opportunities for careers in demand CC areer paths WIA

The World of Work Work-related activities include: WW ork-readiness assessment EE mployability skills training WW ork experience (paid or unpaid) SS ummer employment opportunities II nternship (paid or unpaid) JJ ob Shadowing JJ ob placement and career services WIA

Barriers An eligible youth may be faced with a variety of issues that will affect his or her ability to succeed in education and employment. WIA identifies certain critical barriers: EEducational SSocio-economic (homeless, offender) FFamily (single parent, pregnant or parenting, foster care, runaway youth) WIA

Barriers WIA authorizes local boards to identify additional circumstances that act as barriers to their clients’ success. Examples include:  Work-related (terminations, job-hopping)  Community-based (gangs, resident of high poverty area or subsidized housing)  Economic (long-term assistance, “working poor” family)  Family (history of abuse, substance abuse, illness) WIA

Internal Resources Assessment of a youth’s personal strengths as well as external resources: CCommitment to learning PPositive values SSocial competencies PPositive identity IInvolvement in constructive activities WIA

External Resources Assessment of a youth’s external resources:  Family support  Other adult relationships  Caring neighborhood, school, church WIA

Additional Activities WIA activities and services should play to the youth’s strength and shore up weaknesses. Additional activities may include:  Adult mentoring  Guidance and counseling  Leadership skills building  Character building activities such as community service, peer mentoring, etc. WIA

Individual Service Strategy (ISS) After completion of the Objective Assessment, case managers must complete an Individual Service Strategy (ISS)for each eligible youth. TT he ISS is the road map, based on the objective assessment, that documents the appropriateness of decisions made and the combination of services offered to the youth. II SS records employment, educational and personal development goals. WIA

Supportive Services Supportive services are services that are necessary to enable an individual to participate in WIA-authorized activities. They may include: LL inkages to community services AA ssistance with transportation costs AA ssistance with child care costs AA ssistance with housing costs RR eferrals to medical services AA ssistance with uniforms, tools, etc. WIA

Follow-up Services All youth participants must receive some form of follow-up services for at least 12 months after exit. The types of services are determined based on the needs of the individual. WIA

Follow-up Services Follow-up services may include:  Supportive services  Leadership development  Case management contacts  Job search/upgrade assistance  Work-related peer support group  Adult mentoring WIA

Quiz 1 The first youth activity is Basic Skills Training. a.True b.False WIA

Quiz 2 All WIA youth activities must be offered by a local board through contracts with service providers. a.True b.F alse WIA

Quiz 3 Supportive services for youth may include transportation and child care assistance. a.True b.F alse WIA

Quiz 4 Follow-up services may include which of these activities/services? (Select all that apply.) a.Supportive services b.Job search assistance c.Basic skills training d.Adult mentoring WIA

Questions or Additional Information  If you have any questions or for additional information, please contact DEO’s WIA policy and technical assistance staff at: WIA