WIA Youth Program

1. WIA Youth Program

2. WIA Youth Program • Workforce Escarosa provides services to youth between the ages of 14-21, who are either at risk of dropping out of school or already out of school, to facilitate the completion of an educational program.

3. WIA Youth Program • Target Population • At-risk youth (in school or out of school) • Employment, academic, vocational barriers • Goals • Graduation from High School or GED • Vocational credentials • Employment / Enlistment into military • Post-secondary education

4. WIA Youth Program General Eligibility Requirements • Age at time of registration/participation • Younger Youth – 14 to 18 years of age • Older Youth – 19 to 21 years of age • Youth is low-income • Below 70% Metro Lower Living Standard Income Level (LLSIL) • For income of family as determined by household size, or receives, or is a member of a family that receives, cash payment under an income-based public assistance program, or is a member of a household that receives (or has been determined within the six month period prior to the application to be eligible to receive) food stamps, or qualifies as a homeless individual; or is a foster child, or is disabled. • Documented barriers

5. WIA Youth Program Youth Barriers Workforce Escarosa uses the following definition to define the phrase, "requires additional assistance to secure and hold employment ". • The youth has Reading or Math skills below the 9th grade level as measured by the Test for Adult Basic Education (TABE) OR • Is, or is at risk of being, one or more grades behind the grade level they should be, based on their age

6. WIA Youth Program Youth Barriers The youth has an identified barrier to include: • Juvenile offender • Pregnant or parenting teen • High School dropout (or at risk of dropping out) • Homeless • Disabled • Long-term unemployed and/or receiving public assistance, and/or is an individual who receives, or is a member of a family that has received, public assistance for more than six months • Youth has little or no previous work history in a demand occupation AND/OR

7. WIA Youth Program The youth is economically disadvantaged or working poor. • A youth may be considered to be disadvantaged if he/she is an individual who receives, or is a family member of a family that receives, Temporary Assistance to Need Families (TANF);

8. WIA Youth Program 5 % Window Policy • A youth can be considered for service without meeting the low income criteria as long as they possess at least two of the previously mentioned barriers.

9. WIA Youth Program Youth Priority of Service Given to youth who demonstrate the following barriers: • Basic skills/literacy and numeracy deficient • Be of extra high risk • Youth offenders • Homeless youth • Youth in foster care/aging out of foster care • Youth of incarcerated parents

10. WIA Youth Program Services provided are based on each participant’s needs and include the following key activities: • Career Counseling • Basic Skills Instruction • Job Shadowing • Academic/Work Experience Integration • Leadership and Citizenship Skills Training • Community Service • Mentoring • Job Skills & Employability Training • Work Experience in Subsidized & Unsubsidized Employment

11. WIA Youth Program FY 2011-2012 Service Providers • School Board of Escambia County • School Board of Santa Rosa County • Children’s Home Society of Northwest Florida

12. Thank You For Your Time