To learn more about workforce supports for system-involved young people, Urban Institute researchers identified programs that were using effective strategies to help system-involved individuals avoid detention or incarceration and find employment. The purpose of the study was to highlight examples of successful partnerships and effective partnership strategies involving community-based workforce service providers, public agencies, and stakeholders. Part of a series using findings from a multiphase study on community-based workforce development programs for youth and young adults ages 16 to 24 involved in the criminal legal system, this brief details the landscape of funding strategies and sources used by workforce programs, the blended funding approach and site-specific examples of what blending funding allows programs to do, and examples of how funders factor strategic planning and innovation into their funding decisions.

The LEAD Center hosted a workshop at the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals Youth Development Symposium on November 6, 2023, to share how financial empowerment and financial literacy can promote employment outcomes as well as how to support others to prepare financially for a job. The workshop attendees also learned how to access financial education-related resources and considerations. The workshop recording is provided, as well as the presentation slides and transcript.

In the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), young adults and adults, ages 18-49, who do not have dependents and are not pregnant, are considered Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs). ABAWDs cannot receive SNAP benefits for more than 3 months within a 3-year period unless they meet the ABAWD work requirement or are exempt. This Administration for Children and Families letter provides information and resources on new exceptions for the ABAWD time limits and work requirements in SNAP. The information can assist youth and young adults experiencing homelessness and transitioning out of foster care who are eligible for SNAP benefits.

The Center for Excellence in Family-Finding, Engagement and Support launched a series of webinars that are dedicated to promoting the transformative work happening in California towards cultivating a kin-first culture in child welfare. The Center will host a webinar on January 9, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. PT where panelists will share their unique perspectives and insights on the Kin-First philosophy. The webinar will delve into the power of Kin-First Culture and the transformative programs that are redefining family connections. This session will shed light on how agencies can form meaningful partnerships, helping children and youth stay connected with their family, extended family, and community.

CareerOneStop is a comprehensive career, education, and job search website. It also offers GetMyFuture, a specialized website for youth and young adults ages 14-24, where tools and information are available to help youth find information to achieve their employment and career goals. This Workforce GPS webinar is on January 18, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET and will offer participants tools and resources to help youth explore career ideas, gain insight into their work values and interests, learn about effective resume writing, job search methods, and more. Presenters will also demonstrate how to save career assessments and job searches, and how youth can share them with their counselors.

From its design, apprenticeship was meant to be a pathway for youth to gain skills and employment. However, with time, the system has morphed and the typical apprentice in California is closer to the age of 30 than to 16. Apprenticeship has largely ceased to be a pathway of choice for young people to access careers and has instead turned into an opportunity that’s only pursued after other roads have turned into dead ends. This New America blogpost looks at California’s Master Plan for Career Education. This plan will provide an opportunity for the state to make clear what it means for apprenticeship to serve young people in California.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation recently announced new webinars as part of its series focused on youth mental health. The series seeks to respond to questions and insights raised by attendees at the Foundation’s Youth Mental Health Summit hosted with the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General in April 2023. Field experts at Annie E. Casey Foundation are set to host the following upcoming sessions that will feature leading researchers and practitioners:
1. Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Young Immigrants will take place at 1:00 p.m. ET on November 21, 2023;
2. Exploring Community-based Approaches to Youth Mental Health care will take place at 1:00 p.m. ET on December 19, 2023; and
3. Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences: Creating Safe and Nurturing Environment will take place at 1:00 p.m. ET on January 23, 2024.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation recently announced new webinars as part of its series focused on youth mental health. The series seeks to respond to questions and insights raised by attendees at the Foundation’s Youth Mental Health Summit hosted with the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General in April 2023. Field experts at Annie E. Casey Foundation are set to host the following upcoming sessions that will feature leading researchers and practitioners:
1. Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Young Immigrants will take place at 1:00 p.m. ET on November 21, 2023;
2. Exploring Community-based Approaches to Youth Mental Health care will take place at 1:00 p.m. ET on December 19, 2023; and
3. Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences: Creating Safe and Nurturing Environment will take place at 1:00 p.m. ET on January 23, 2024.

LifeSet is an intensive case management program that prepares young people in foster care for the transition to adulthood. LifeSet specialists meet weekly with youth to provide individualized, intensive services as youth work towards self-defined goals in areas such as housing, employment, education, and money management. This Chapin Hall report presents findings from the Phase II evaluation of LifeSet’s implementation by three child services providers in Illinois. Phase II evaluation activities included focus groups with LifeSet specialists; interviews with LifeSet supervisors, licensed program experts, and young people who participated in LifeSet; and an analysis of both Department of Children and Family Services administrative data and GuideTree program data from Youth Villages.