The department is particularly interested in learning from these projects how best to serve in-school youth through innovative partnerships between the workforce system and school districts. In addition, the department is interested in learning how the workforce system, local education agencies and re-engagement centers can work more effectively reach out-of-school youth and assist them in obtaining summer into year-round employment. Finally, the department is interested in learning how to best leverage local summer and year-round employment programs to support better program integration among those serving this population and improve performance outcomes in high-crime, high-poverty communities that offer limited economic mobility opportunities for youth.
The grants are aimed at communities suffering from high youth unemployment rates, high poverty rates, high violent crime rates, and low graduation rates. Target communities that have received federal designation as a Promise Zone will receive priority consideration.
This grant competition is funded through the Dislocated Worker National Reserve Account. This account primarily provides assistance to address significant worker dislocation events such as plant closings or natural disasters. However, up to 10 percent of the account is available for demonstration projects such as these.
The Funding Opportunity Announcement, which includes information about how to apply, is available here.