Background:

At its April 2001 meeting, the State Workforce Investment Board approved the proposed mission and priorities of the Emerging Worker Sub-Committee (Attachments A and B).

Two immediate priorities—developing competitive applications for Incentive grants to expand business involvement in youth programming and Challenge grants for workforce investment areas to expand comprehensive year-round programs and fully integrate youth programs into one-stop delivery system—have been met. The Incentive grants request-for-proposals was released November 8, 2001. Proposals are due January 16, 2002. The Challenge grants request-for-proposals will be released later this month. Both were based on concept papers developed by the Sub-Committee.

Through intensive discussion at meetings held on September 6, 2001, December 7, 2001, and January 17, 2002, the Sub-Committee has reached consensus on intermediate and long-term statewide initiatives to address the Sub-Committee's overarching priority (Priority #1).

Attachment C contains these recommendations. The proposed activities are centered on two focus areas that were begun with the Incentive and Challenge Grants:

1. expanding/enhancing business involvement in youth programming; and

2. expanding comprehensive year-round programs for youth (leveraging multiple funds, expanding program services and partnerships, serving all youth, integrating youth services into one-stop delivery systems).

In implementing these initiatives, the Sub-Committee is committed to:

1. refining, and continuously improving, the proposed action in its work plan (Attachment C) based on feedback from grant implementers, local workforce investment boards, youth councils, employers and partners; and

2. engaging in a continuous dialogue with employers, youth councils, local workforce investment boards, and partners throughout the State

Approval Requested:

The Emerging Worker Sub-Committee respectfully requests approval to implement the Statewide Initiatives to Identify, Promote and Disseminate Effective Strategies That Prepare Youth for Jobs and Careers in New York State as outlined in Attachment C.

Attachments:

A. Mission Statement B. Priorities C. Statewide Initiatives