Federal Foundation Assistance Monitor

(WORKFORCE) States Use $1.2B in Youth Employment Funding

Indiana, Massachusetts and Rhode Island already have plans in\r\nplace to use their portion of $1.2 billion in American Recovery &\r\nReinvestment Act for youth employment programs.

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The funding\r\nis being doled out via the federal Workforce Investment Act account.

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Indiana: The state will use its $24 million ARRA allotment to\r\nhire 2,000 young adults (ages 16-24) to spend the next two summers improving\r\nthe states parks, trails and natural habitats through the Young Hoosiers\r\nConservation Corps.

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The jobs will\r\npay $8.50 per hour. In addition to the age requirement, the jobs will be for\r\nHoosiers whose family incomes are at or below the poverty level (approximately\r\n$23,000 for a family of four). The positions will begin no earlier than May 1\r\nand end no later than September\r\n 30, 2009. The state will place a top priority on hiring veterans\r\nand those currently receiving unemployment benefits who meet the program's age\r\nand income eligibility requirements.

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The 2,000\r\njobs include projects such as restoring natural wildlife habitats, building\r\ntrails, beautifying Department of Natural Resources (DNR)\r\nproperties, and rehabilitating historic buildings at about 100 DNR sites, including state parks, reservoirs,\r\nrecreation areas, state forests, nature preserves, and state historic sites.\r\nAll federal dollars will go into the young workers' paychecks; the DNR will use funds already budgeted for any needed\r\nmaterials.

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The state's\r\nworkforce development department and DNR\r\nwill oversee the program. Job applications are being accepted immediately\r\nonline at www.in.gov/yhcc.

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Provided the\r\nprogram proves effective, the program will be renewed in 2010.

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Info: For\r\nmore on the program, please visit www.in.gov/portal/news_events/37486.htm.

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Massachusetts: Governor Deval Patrick (D) offers a $30 million two\r\nyear commitment to create 10,000 summer jobs for young people ages 14 to 24.\r\nThe plan combines $6.67 million from the state's YouthWorks summer jobs program\r\nwith $3.1 million in public safety funds and $21.1 million in ARRA workforce\r\ndevelopment funds.

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A toll-free\r\nhotline (866/968-8461) has been set up for businesses and teens interested in\r\nparticipating in the state effort. Additional information is available on the\r\nYouthWorks website (www.commcorp.org/youthworks),\r\ntoo.

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Info: For\r\nmore on Massachusetts ARRA funding, please visit www.mass.gov/recovery.

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Rhode Island:\r\nThe state uses its $5.6 million in ARRA youth employment funding to start the\r\nSummer Youth Employment Opportunities program that will serve approximately\r\n2,000 additional youth ages 14 to 24. 

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With an\r\ninitial investment of $4 million, Rhode\r\n Island will accept Request for Proposals from\r\nnonprofit, private and public agencies to provide summer work experience, work\r\nreadiness and academic enrichment programming for participating youth. A\r\nprogram may start as soon as early June and can run from six to 18 weeks.\r\nParticipating youth will receive a stipend and/or wage for their work.

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In the RFP\r\nprocess, priority will be given to programs that expose youth to careers in the\r\nfollowing growth industries: health care, construction, biotechnology, advanced\r\nmanufacturing, marine technology, information technology, hospitality &\r\ntourism and financial services. In addition, special preference will be given\r\nto vendors that incorporate "green industries" educational components and\r\ncareer pathways into their programs. "Green industries" include but are not\r\nlimited to solar and geothermal energy, wind-power design and environmentally\r\nfriendly building materials and techniques.

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Info: For\r\nmore on the new program, please visit www.ri.gov/GOVERNOR/view.php?id=8530.

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