YouthBuild Transfer Act Major Legislative Changes

YouthBuild Transfer Act Public Law Under HUD, YouthBuild program was authorized under the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (Pub.L , 106 Stat. 3723, 42 USC 12899) Under DOL, YouthBuild program is added as Section 173 to Title 1, Subtitle D of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S. 2919) New regulations will be developed after public comment YouthBuild Transfer Act Managed by DOL HOPE for Youth: YouthBuild Managed by HUD

Statement of Purpose The previous legislation focused on enhancing the supply of housing for homeless and low-income individuals and families, but placed less emphasis on employment skills and education. Under DOL a modified provision to the program’s statement of purpose places greater emphasis on preparing youth for occupations in demand and post-secondary education. YouthBuild Transfer Act Managed by DOL HOPE for Youth: YouthBuild Managed by HUD

Grants A provision existed for providing Planning grants. (former Section 12899b.) The provision for providing Planning grants has been eliminated to ensure that more Federal funds are available to carry out YouthBuild program activities. Selection criteria available to make grant decisions is expanded to include, among other things, an applicant’s focus on preparing youth for occupations in demand or post-secondary education, and the extent of an applicant’s coordination with the One-Stop delivery system. YouthBuild Transfer Act Managed by DOL HOPE for Youth: YouthBuild Managed by HUD

Grants (continued..) 5% of funds are reserved for technical assistance Up to 3% of funds may be reserved for capacity building activities, but costs must be leveraged with private resources (25% Federal share). YouthBuild Transfer Act Managed by DOL HOPE for Youth: YouthBuild Managed by HUD

Eligible activities Specific activities were eligible for funding, but many workforce investment activities were not specifically authorized. Since the YouthBuild Program is linked to the workforce investment, eligible activities would include, among others: oOccupational skills training oInternships and job shadowing (paid & unpaid) oAlternative secondary school services oComprehensive guidance and counseling (including drug and alcohol abuse) YouthBuild Transfer Act Managed by DOL HOPE for Youth: YouthBuild Managed by HUD

Eligible activities (continued…) oJob search and job placement assistance oActivities linking with “registered” apprenticeship programs oAs with prior law, community service and peer centered activities would continue to be authorized to enhance the employment and leadership skills of participants. YouthBuild Transfer Act Managed by DOL

Streamlined Housing Restrictions The Cranston-Gonzalez Act placed extensive housing- related restrictions on the use, rental, and/or conveyance of properties constructed or rehabilitated by YouthBuild participants. Under DOL the extensive housing-related restrictions are eliminated, but the law retains the essential restrictions limiting rental or conveyance to low- income or homeless individuals or families, or for use as transitional or permanent housing for the homeless. YouthBuild Transfer Act Managed by DOL HOPE for Youth: YouthBuild Managed by HUD

Provide local labor market information oIncluding projected career opportunities in relevant fields Describe relationship with workforce investment system and employers Involve community and faith-based organizations to help recruit YouthBuild participants Describe role of employers in the program Describe expected results applying DOL’s “Common Performance Measures” Ability to grant industry recognized skills-based certificates Retains requirement to describe leveraging of other resources New Requirements for Grant Applicants

Under DOL, limited YouthBuild funds may be used to pay for supervision and training costs allowing participants to develop skills and obtain work experience in rehabilitation or construction of community and other public facilities. Coordination of the YouthBuild program with local workforce investment boards, One-Stop Career Centers and partner programs. Eligible Youth: Age 16-24, a school drop out, and at least one of the following: a member of a low-income family, a foster care youth, a youth offender, a disabled youth, a child of incarcerated parents, a migrant youth. Eligibility Exception: Up to 25% of program participants could be GED or secondary school graduates who are basic skills deficient or youth who are referred by a local secondary school for participation in a YouthBuild program. YouthBuild programs shall be structured so that participants spend at least 50% of their time in education and related services; and at least 40% of their time in workforce investment activities (work experience, occupational skills training, job search, internships etc). This means that participants may now spend up to 60% of their time in the program on educational activities. Common Performance Measures are now applicable allowing the development for Federal Youth and lifelong learning employment and training programs. Additional changes