1. Youth Ecology Corps Program A Crash Course in Workplace Competencies

2. Youth Ecology Programs Youth Ecology Corps are workforce training and ecosystem education programs aimed at employing youth and young adults while teaching environmental stewardship We will look at programs operating in Sonoma, Marin, and Riverside Counties

3. Sonoma County: Program Focus Youth Employment / Youth Development 200-300 youth and young adults annually Environmental Stewardship Crews complete environmental projects Community Benefits Flood Protection, Park Access, Food, Safety Strategic Partnerships Good Government, Leveraged Resources

4. Sonoma County: Program Information Program was started in 2009 Provides work and learning opportunities for 200-250 youth and young adults each year Primarily a summer program with a growing number of year round crews Launched with ARRA dollars (Recovery Act) Sustained by leveraging a range of investments and a growing set of partners Highly visible and popular with elected officials / others

5. Sonoma County: Partners The Sonoma County Human Services Department and Workforce Investment Board Sonoma County Water Agency Sonoma County Office of Education Six local non-profit agencies New Ways to Work Parks Alliance for Sonoma County More than 60 Project Hosts

6. Sonoma County: Youth Target populations are 14 to 24 year-old economically disadvantaged youth including: Current Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Participants Participants on Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Current or former Foster Youth Participants with disabilities Pregnant or Parenting youth Youth involved in the justice system *In addition to these target groups, other youth are served based on funding availability.

7. Sonoma County: Funding Sources 2013 Program Funders Workforce Investment Act (WIA) through the Workforce Investment Board Sonoma County Water Agency Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Realignment funds Parks Alliance (Vintners Foundation, Regional Parks, City Parks, local grants and contributions)

8. Sonoma County: Results Youth Builds work-readiness skills Fosters environmental awareness Builds career awareness and aspiration Youth save $$ and contribute to household expenses Environment Creeks and streams maintained Habitats restored Contributes to fish recovery Helps build environmental awareness.

9. Sonoma County: Results Community Small stream flooding reduced Access to parks and trails improved Community gardens planted and harvested Many other outdoor community projects completed Program and the Partners Identifies and connects partners around a common purpose Wide range of partners help sustain the SCYEC Responsible use of a range of public funds Engages private investors.

10. YEC Communities: The YEC model is being replicated in a number of communities: Marin County Riverside County Portland, Oregon Summer 2014 Pilots Include: Napa County Contra Costa County Alameda County

11. Marin County: Program Overview Summer 2013 pilot program Two crews of 8 youth Paid conservation work and career planning – Indian Valley Organic Farm – John Muir Woods – Mount Tamalpalais Planning for expansion in 2014

12. Marin County: Partners Marin Employment Connection Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy California State Parks Conservation Corps North Bay Marin County Board of Supervisors Marin Charitable Trust Workforce Investment Board

13. Marin County: Funding Marin County, Department of Health and Human Services, CalWORKS Marin County Board of Supervisors Golden Gate National Recreation – entrance fees collected from visitors to local state parks

14. Riverside County: Youth Participants Target populations are 16 to 21 year-old economically disadvantaged youth including: Current Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Participants Participants on Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Current or former Foster Youth Participants with disabilities Pregnant or Parenting youth Youth involved in the justice system *In addition to these target groups, other youth are served based on funding availability.

15. Riverside County: Partners The Workforce Investment Board administers the Riverside County Youth Ecology Corps in partnership with: California Family Life Center (CFLC) Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) Workforce Investment Board (WIB)

16. Riverside County: Funding The 2013 summer work experience opportunities were funded by the following sources: Workforce Investment Act (WIA) through the Workforce Investment Board Eastern Municipal Water District

17. Riverside County: Outcomes 3 entered Post-Secondary Education 1 obtained employment 2 are enrolled in the Empower Youth WIA Program Program Expansion

18. Administrative Prep Identify Projects Promote to Youth Conduct Interviews Perform Background Checks / Testing Hire Youth Sign Agreements Complete Forms –Orientation Checklist –Computer Network Access (office assistants)

19. Training Safety & Ethics Training(6 hours) 6 segments All 6 additional segmentsField Personal Protection Equipment Field Badges for Identification All Microsoft Office Software Review(4 hours) Word, PowerPoint, Excel All PowerPoint & Headquarters Tours(8 hours) 20 Departments All

20. Workplace Experiences Lunch During Orientation Facility Tours Recognition at a Board Meeting Certificate & Letter of Recommendation

21. Workplace Competencies Planning, Organizing, & Scheduling Problem Solving & Decision Making Working with Tools and Technology Teamwork Following Directions Business Fundamentals

22. Workplace Competencies

23. Benefits to Youth Experience Advice Recommendations Rewarding!!

24. Benefits to EMWD Increases youth awareness of careers Provides staff with exposure to youth Backburner projects get addressed Rewarding!!

25. Future Plans

26. Steve Trippe SCYEC Partner New Ways to Work 707/824-4000 x22 sgtrippe@newwaystowork.org

27. Questions?