Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth Program

Purpose:

The purpose of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) youth services is to assist young people, ages 14-24, who face significant barriers to success in the labor market, by providing resources and support to overcome those barriers and successfully transition to self-sufficient adulthood.

Description:

WIOA Youth programs are operated on a year-round basis by local Michigan Works! Agencies (MWAs). Available services include tutoring, study skills training, alternative secondary school offerings, dropout recovery services, paid and unpaid work experiences, including summer employment opportunities, occupational skills training, education offered concurrently with workforce preparation, leadership development opportunities, supportive services, adult mentoring, follow-up services, comprehensive guidance and counseling, financial literacy education, entrepreneurial skills training, provision of labor market and employment information, and activities that help youth prepare for, and transition to, post-secondary education and training.

Eligibility:

Out-of-School Youth (OSY) individuals who are:

• Not attending any school (as defined under State law);
• Not younger than age 16 or older than age 24; and
• One or more of the following:
  • A school dropout: Age 18+, or 16+ with parental consent;
  • A youth who is within the age of compulsory school attendance, but has not attended school for at least the most recent complete school year calendar quarter;
  • A recipient of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent who is a low-income individual and is–
    • basic skills deficient; or
    • an English language learner.
  • An individual who is subject to the juvenile or adult justice system;
  • A homeless or runaway youth;
  • A current/prior foster youth;
  • An individual who is pregnant or parenting;
  • A youth who is an individual with a disability;
  • A low-income individual who requires additional assistance to enter or complete an educational program or to secure or hold employment.

In-School Youth (ISY) individuals who are:

• Attending school (as defined by State law);
• Not younger than age 14 or (unless an individual with a disability who is attending school under State law) older than age 21;
• A low-income individual; and
• One or more of the following:
  • Basic skills deficient;
  • An English language learner;
  • An offender;
  • A homeless, runaway, or current/prior foster youth;
  • Pregnant or parenting;
  • A youth who is an individual with a disability;
  • An individual who requires additional assistance to complete an educational program or to secure or hold employment.

Procedure:

The federal funds are allocated by formula to the local MWAs. The local MWAs must submit annual plans to the Workforce Development Agency for approval. Funds are allocated on an annual basis starting in July of each year. Additional information is available in the WIOA Youth Program overview.

Contact:

Contact Michigan Works! at 1-800-285-WORKS (9675) or find your local MWA by zip code at michiganworks.org.

Technical program questions:
Workforce Development
P.O. Box 30805
Lansing, Michigan 48909
Phone: 517-335-5858
Fax: 517-373-7794