Our Journey Together TA Series: Comprehensive Service Delivery for Youth

Sara Hastings, Unit Chief, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration

Jessica Clayton, Program and Development Director, Spokane Area Workforce Development Council  

Trina Clayeux, Director, Next Generation Zone  

Stacey Wells, WIOA Program Manager, Next Generation Zone

WIOA Youth funds must be used to deliver a comprehensive array of youth services. The law requires objective assessments, individualized service strategies, offering of the 14 program elements and achieving performance outcomes.  But what are those essentials that local areas should have in place to most effectively use WIOA Youth funds?  Local areas should have key partnerships in place; an understanding of how multiple resources can be leveraged to offer comprehensive services, including wraparound services; well-trained professional staff that have the knowledge and abilities to help youth achieve their goals; and probably most importantly, offerings that are customer-centered, informed by positive youth development principles, and meet the youth where they are.  Hear from one local area, the Spokane Area Workforce Development Council, which strives to encompass those essentials.

Through its Next Generation Zone young adult career center, well-trained staff inspire young adults in their career goals by providing wrap-around support and combining education, career skills training, and community and employment resources all in one place to prepare tomorrow’s workforce.

The Division of Youth Services’ technical assistance (TA) series, Our Journey Together, provides support to workforce system professionals across the nation operating WIOA youth programs.

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• Posted by: Germell Hosch
• Posted in: Global