Programs And Services, Employment & Training Administration (ETA)

Program Overviews

The U.S.Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA) along with other federal partners administers the youth programs identified below. These programs are designed to enhance youth education, encourage school completion through alternative educational programs, and provide exposure to the world of work through apprenticeship and career exploration.

State and Local Formula Youth Grants
The Workforce Investment Act formula-funded youth program serves eligible low-income youth, ages 14-21, who have barriers to employment. Service strategies prepare youth for employment and/or postsecondary education through strong linkages between academic and occupational learning.

COMPETITIVE GRANTS:

Youth Opportunity Grants (YOG's)
The YOG's are designed to increase the high school graduation rate, college enrollment rate, and employment rate of youth living in high-poverty communities. The program targets youth, 14-21, who live in federally designated empowerment zones and enterprise communities. DOL/ETA awarded 36 youth opportunity grants to urban, rural, and Native American communities. No new funding opportunities available.

Young Offender: Demonstration Grant Project
The Young Offender grants are designed to get youth at-risk of criminal involvement, youth offenders, and gang members between 14 and 24 into long-term employment at wage levels that prevent future dependency and break the cycle of crime and juvenile delinquency. Services include alternative sentencing for first-time offenders, gang prevention activities, and after-care services for youth returning home from correctional facilities. 29 Communities across the nation are operating youth offender projects.

Going Home: Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative.
The Reentry Initiative is a comprehensive effort that addresses both juvenile and adult populations, ages 14-35, of serious, high-risk offenders. It provides funding to state and local governmental agencies to develop, implement, enhance, and evaluate reentry strategies that will ensure the safety of the community and the reduction of serious, violent crime.

Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship (YDPA) Initiative
The YDPA Initiative targets professionals who work or will work in youth programs delivering services to young people as front-line staff. YDPA provides an occupational title of Youth Development Practitioner for youth workers and identifies competencies for the profession, on-the-job-training and related instruction. The Office of Youth Services and the Office of Apprenticeship Training, Employer and Labor Services jointly manage the program. No new funding opportunities available.