Youth Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Programs
All WIA programs must have the following ten elements.
- Tutoring, study skills training, and instruction leading to secondary school completion, including dropout prevention strategies
- Alternative secondary school offerings
- Summer employment opportunities directly linked to academic and occupational learning
- Paid and unpaid work experiences, including internships and job shadowing
- Occupational skill training
- Leadership development opportunities, which include community service and peer-centered activities encouraging responsibility and other positive social behaviors
- Supportive services (linkages with community services, referrals, assistance with work attire, housing costs, child care)
- Adult mentoring for a duration of at least 12 months, that may occur both during and after program participation;
- Follow-up services (leadership development, assistance with securing better jobs, peer support groups, tracking youth after training)
- Comprehensive guidance and counseling, including drug and alcohol abuse counseling, as well as referrals to counseling, as appropriate to the needs of the individual youth
Eligibility requirements for WIA Programs
A. An eligible youth must be between the ages 14-21
B. Be a low income individual
C. Have one or more of the following barriers:
1. Deficient in basic literacy skills
2. School dropout
3. Homeless, runaway, or foster child
4. Pregnant or parenting
5. Offender
6. Is an individual (including a youth with a disability) who requires additional assistance to complete an educational program, or to secure and hold employment.
Current Providers
ARIN Intermediate Unit 28
ARIN provides Adult Basic Education (ABE) and GED preparation classes as well as academic enrichment classes which includes academic and career preparation to eligible youth in July and August for ages 16-21. Other services include meetings with students throughout the year to review information that is specific to the student’s high school experience, academic skills and needs, and employment skills and needs.
Career T.R.A.C.K., Inc.
Career T.R.A.C.K. Provides a wide array of services for in-school and out-of-school youth, ages 16-21. These programs will allow eligible youth the opportunity to develop and achieve the necessary academic and employability skills leading to self-sufficiency. Services include case management, assessment employment opportunities, internships, academic enrichment, and GED assistance. The National Retail Federation’s Certificate in Customer Services is available for a credential. In addition, Career T.R.A.C.K. provides summer employment opportunities for eligible youth ages 16-18.