Title 20—Employees' Benefits--Volume 1
PART 688—PROVISIONS GOVERNING THE YOUTHBUILD PROGRAM
§ 688.100   What is YouthBuild?
(a) YouthBuild is a workforce development program that provides employment, education, leadership development, and training opportunities to disadvantaged and low-income youth between the ages of 16 and 24, most of whom are secondary school drop outs and are either a member of a low-income family, a foster care youth, a youth who is homeless, an offender, a youth with a disability, a child of an incarcerated parent, or a migrant youth.
(b) Program participants receive education services that may lead to either a high school diploma or its State-recognized equivalent. Further, they receive occupational skills training and are encouraged to pursue postsecondary education or additional training, including registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. The program is designed to create a skilled workforce either in the construction industry, through the rehabilitation and construction of housing for homeless and low-income individuals and families, as well as public facilities, or in other in-demand industries or occupations. The program also benefits the larger community because it provides increased access to affordable housing.
§ 688.110   What are the purposes of the YouthBuild program?
The overarching goal of the YouthBuild program is to provide disadvantaged and low-income youth the opportunity to obtain education and employment skills in local in-demand jobs to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Additionally, the YouthBuild program has as goals to:
(a) Enable disadvantaged youth to obtain the education and employment skills necessary to achieve economic self-sufficiency through employment in in-demand occupations and pursuit of postsecondary education and training opportunities;
(b) Provide disadvantaged youth with opportunities for meaningful work and service to their communities;
(c) Foster the development of employment and leadership skills and commitment to community development among youth in low-income communities;
(d) Expand the supply of permanent affordable housing for homeless individuals and families, homeless youth, and low-income families by utilizing the talents of disadvantaged youth. The program seeks to increase the number of affordable and transitional housing units available to decrease the rate of homelessness in communities with YouthBuild programs; and
(e) Improve the quality and energy efficiency of community and other non-profit and public facilities, including those that are used to serve homeless and low-income families.
§ 688.120   What definitions apply to this part?
In addition to the definitions at sec. 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and § 675.300 of this chapter, the following definitions apply:
Adjusted income means, with respect to a family, the amount (as determined by the Housing Development Agency) of the income of the members of the family residing in a dwelling unit or the persons on a lease, after any income exclusions as follows:
(1) Mandatory exclusions. In determining adjusted income, a Housing Development Agency must exclude from the annual income of a family the following amounts:
(i) Elderly and disabled families. $400 for any elderly or disabled family.
(ii) Medical expenses. The amount by which three percent of the annual family income is exceeded by the sum of:
(A) Unreimbursed medical expenses of any elderly family or disabled family;
(B) Unreimbursed medical expenses of any family that is not covered under paragraph (1)(ii)(A) of this definition, except that this paragraph (1)(ii)(B) only applies to the extent approved in appropriation Acts; and
(C) Unreimbursed reasonable attendant care and auxiliary apparatus expenses for each handicapped member of the family, to the extent necessary to enable any member of such family (including such handicapped member) to be employed.
(iii) Child care expenses. Any reasonable child care expenses necessary to enable a member of the family to be employed or to further his or her education.
(iv) Minors, students, and persons with disabilities. $480 for each member of the family residing in the household (other than the head of the household or his or her spouse) who is less than 18 years of age or is attending school or vocational training on a full-time basis, or who is 18 years of age or older and is a person with disabilities.
(v) Child support payments. Any payment made by a member of the family for the support and maintenance of any child who does not reside in the household, except that the amount excluded under this clause may not exceed $480 for each child for whom such payment is made; except that this clause only applies to the extent approved in appropriations Acts.
(vi) Spousal support expenses. Any payment made by a member of the family for the support and maintenance of any spouse or former spouse who does not reside in the household, except that the amount excluded under this clause must not exceed the lesser of the amount that such family member has a legal obligation to pay, or $550 for each individual for whom such payment is made; except that this clause only applies to the extent approved in appropriations Acts.
(vii) Earned income of minors. The amount of any earned income of a member of the family who is not:
(A) 18 years of age or older; and
(B) The head of the household (or the spouse of the head of the household).
(2) Permissive exclusions for public housing. In determining adjusted income, a Housing Development Agency may, at the discretion of the agency, establish exclusions from the annual income of a family residing in a public housing dwelling unit. Such exclusions may include the following amounts:
(i) Excessive travel expenses. Excessive travel expenses in an amount not to exceed $25 per family per week, for employment or education-related travel.
(ii) Earned income. An amount of any earned income of the family, established at the discretion of the Housing Development Agency, which may be based on:
(A) All earned income of the family,
(B) The amount earned by particular members of the family;
(C) The amount earned by families having certain characteristics; or
(D) The amount earned by families or members during certain periods or from certain sources.
(iii) Others. Such other amounts for other purposes, as the Housing Development Agency may establish.
Applicant means an eligible entity that has submitted an application under § 688.210.
Basic skills deficient means an individual:
(1) Who is a youth, and who has English reading, writing, or computing skills at or below the eighth grade level on a generally accepted standardized test; or
(2) Who is a youth or adult, and who is unable to compute or solve problems, or read, write, or speak English, at a level necessary to function on the job, in the individual's family, or in society.
Community or other public facility means those facilities which are either privately owned by non-profit organizations, including faith-based and community-based organizations, and publicly used for the benefit of the community, or publicly owned and publicly used for the benefit of the community.
Construction Plus means the inclusion of occupational skills training for YouthBuild participants in in-demand occupations other than construction.
Eligible entity means a public or private non-profit agency or organization (including a consortium of such agencies or organizations), including:
(1) A community-based organization;
(2) A faith-based organization;
(3) An entity carrying out activities under this title, such as a Local Workforce Development Board (WDB);
(4) A community action agency;
(5) A State or local Housing Development Agency;
(6) An Indian tribe or other agency primarily serving Indians;
(7) A community development corporation;
(8) A State or local youth service or conservation corps; and
(9) Any other entity eligible to provide education or employment training under a Federal program (other than the program carried out under this section).
English language learner, when used with respect to a participant, means an eligible individual who has limited ability in reading, writing, speaking, or comprehending the English language, and:
(1) Whose native language is a language other than English; or
(2) Who lives in a family or community environment where a language other than English is the dominant language.
Exit, as used in § 688.400, has the same meaning as in § 677.150(c) of this chapter.
Follow-up services include:
(1) The leadership development and supportive service activities listed in §§ 681.520 and 681.570 of this chapter;
(2) Regular contact with a youth participant's employer, including assistance in addressing work-related problems that arise;
(3) Assistance in securing better paying jobs, career development, and further education;
(4) Work-related peer support groups;
(5) Adult mentoring; and
(6) Services necessary to ensure the success of youth participants in employment and/or postsecondary education.
Homeless child or youth means an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and includes a child or youth who:
(1) Is sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason;
(2) Is living in a motel, hotel, trailer park, or campground due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
(3) Is living in an emergency or transitional shelter, is abandoned in a hospital, or is awaiting foster care placement;
(4) Has a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
(5) Is living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; or
(6) Is a migratory child living in circumstances described in this definition.
Homeless individual means an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and includes an individual who:
(1) Is sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason;
(2) Is living in a motel, hotel, trailer park, or campground due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
(3) Is living in an emergency or transitional shelter;
(4) Is abandoned in a hospital, or is awaiting foster care placement;
(5) Has a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodation for human beings; or
(6) Is a migratory child living in circumstances described in this definition.
Housing Development Agency means any agency of a Federal, State or local government, or any private non-profit organization, that is engaged in providing housing for homeless individuals or low-income families.
Income, as defined in the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(2)), means income is from all sources of each member of the household, as determined in accordance with the criteria prescribed by the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, except that any amounts not actually received by the family and any amounts which would be eligible for exclusion under sec. 1382b(a)(7) of the United States Housing Act of 1937, may not be considered as income under this definition.
In-Demand Industry Sector or Occupation means:
(1) An industry sector that has a substantial current or potential impact (including through jobs that lead to economic self-sufficiency and opportunities for advancement) on the State, regional, or local economy, as appropriate, and that contributes to the growth or stability of other supporting business, or the growth of other industry sectors; or
(2) An occupation that currently has or is projected to have a number of positions (including positions that lead to economic self-sufficiency and opportunities for advancement) in an industry sector so as to have a significant impact on the State, regional, or local economy, as appropriate.
Indian, as defined in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b), means a person who is a member of an Indian tribe.
Indian tribe means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688; 43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. ), which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.
Individual with a disability means an individual with a disability as defined in sec. 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102).
Low-income family means a family whose income does not exceed 80 percent of the median income for the area unless the Secretary determines that a higher or lower ceiling is warranted. This definition includes families consisting of one person as defined by 42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(3).
Migrant youth means a youth, or a youth who is the dependent of someone who, during the previous 12 months, has:
(1) Worked at least 25 days in agricultural labor that is characterized by chronic unemployment or underemployment;
(2) Made at least $800 from agricultural labor that is characterized by chronic unemployment or underemployment, if at least 50 percent of his or her income came from such agricultural labor;
(3) Was employed at least 50 percent of his or her total employment in agricultural labor that is characterized by chronic unemployment or underemployment; or
(4) Was employed in agricultural labor that requires travel to a jobsite such that the farmworker is unable to return to a permanent place of residence within the same day.
Needs-based payments means additional payments beyond regular stipends for program participation that are based on defined needs that enable a youth to participate in the program.
Occupational skills training means an organized program of study that provides specific vocational skills that lead to proficiency in performing actual tasks and technical functions required by certain occupational fields at entry, intermediate, or advanced levels. Occupational skills training includes training programs that lead to recognized postsecondary credentials that align with in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the local area. Such training must:
(1) Be outcome-oriented and focused on an occupational goal specified in the individual service strategy;
(2) Be of sufficient duration to impart the skills needed to meet the occupational goal; and
(3) Result in attainment of a recognized postsecondary credential.
Offender means an adult or juvenile who:
(1) Is or has been subject to any stage of the criminal justice process, and who may benefit from WIOA services; or
(2) Requires assistance in overcoming artificial barriers to employment resulting from a record of arrest or conviction.
Participant means an individual who has been determined eligible to participate in the YouthBuild program, and who enrolls in the program and receives services or training described in § 688.320.
Pre-apprenticeship, as defined in § 681.480 of this chapter, means a program designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in an apprenticeship program registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the “National Apprenticeship Act”; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq. ) (referred to in this part as a “registered apprenticeship” or “registered apprenticeship program”) and includes the following elements:
(1) Training and curriculum that aligns with the skill needs of employers in the economy of the State or region involved;
(2) Access to educational and career counseling and other supportive services, directly or indirectly;
(3) Hands-on, meaningful learning activities that are connected to education and training activities, such as exploring career options, and understanding how the skills acquired through coursework can be applied toward a future career;
(4) Opportunities to attain at least one industry-recognized credential; and
(5) A partnership with one or more registered apprenticeship programs that assists in placing individuals who complete the pre-apprenticeship program in a registered apprenticeship program.
(6) YouthBuild programs that receive funding under this part are considered pre-apprenticeship programs under this definition.
Recognized postsecondary credential means a credential consisting of an industry-recognized certificate or certification, a certificate of completion of a registered apprenticeship, a license recognized by the State involved or Federal government, or an associate or baccalaureate degree.
Registered apprenticeship program means an apprenticeship program that:
(1) Is registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the “National Apprenticeship Act” (50 Stat. 664; 20 U.S.C. 50 et seq. )); and
(2) Meets such other criteria as the Secretary may establish.
School dropout means an individual who no longer attends any school and who has not received a secondary school diploma or its State-recognized equivalent.
Secondary school means a nonprofit institutional day or residential school, including a public secondary charter school, that provides secondary education, as determined under State law, except that the term does not include any education beyond grade 12.
Section 3 means a program described in sec. 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, as amended by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992.
Supportive services for youth, as defined in § 681.570 of this chapter, are services that enable an individual to participate in WIOA activities. These services include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Linkages to community services;
(2) Assistance with transportation;
(3) Assistance with child care and dependent care;
(4) Referrals to child support;
(5) Assistance with housing;
(6) Needs-related payments;
(7) Assistance with educational testing;
(8) Reasonable accommodations for youth with disabilities;
(9) Referrals to health care;
(10) Assistance with uniforms or other appropriate work attire and work-related tools, including such items as eyeglasses and protective eye gear;
(11) Assistance with books, fees, school supplies, and other necessary items for students enrolled in postsecondary education classes; and
(12) Payments and fees for employment and training-related applications, tests, and certifications.
Transitional housing means housing provided to ease the movement of individuals and families experiencing homelessness to permanent housing within 24 months or such longer period.
YouthBuild program means any program that receives assistance under this part and provides disadvantaged youth with opportunities for employment, education, leadership development, service to the community, and training through the rehabilitation (which, for purposes of this part, includes energy efficiency enhancements) or construction of housing for homeless individuals and low-income families, and public facilities.
Youth in foster care, as defined in § 681.210 of this chapter, means an individual in foster care or who has aged out of the foster care system or who has attained 16 years of age and left foster care for kinship, guardianship, or adoption; or a child eligible for assistance under sec. 477 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677), or in an out-of-home placement.
§ 688.200   How are YouthBuild grants funded and administered?
The Secretary uses funds authorized for appropriation under WIOA sec. 171(i) to administer YouthBuild as a national program under title I, subtitle D of WIOA. YouthBuild grants are awarded to eligible entities, as defined in § 688.120, through the competitive selection process described in § 688.210.
§ 688.210   How does an eligible entity apply for grant funds to operate a YouthBuild program?
The Secretary announces the availability of grant funds through a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). The FOA contains instructions for what the Department requires in the grant application, describes eligibility requirements, the rating criteria that the Department will use in reviewing grant applications, and special reporting requirements to operate a YouthBuild project. The FOA, along with the requisite forms needed to apply for grant funds, can be found at http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm .
§ 688.220   How are eligible entities selected to receive grant funds?
In order to receive funds under the YouthBuild program, an eligible entity must meet selection criteria established by the Secretary which include:
(a) The qualifications or potential capabilities of an applicant;
(b) An applicant's potential to develop a successful YouthBuild program;
(c) The need for an applicant's proposed program, as determined by the degree of economic distress of the community from which participants would be recruited (measured by indicators such as poverty, youth unemployment, and the number of individuals who have dropped out of secondary school) and of the community in which the housing and community and public facilities proposed to be rehabilitated or constructed are located (measured by indicators such as incidence of homelessness, shortage of affordable housing, and poverty);
(d) The commitment of an applicant to provide skills training, leadership development, counseling and case management, and education to participants;
(e) The focus of a proposed program on preparing youth for local in-demand sectors or occupations, or postsecondary education and training opportunities;
(f) The extent of an applicant's coordination of activities to be carried out through the proposed program with:
(1) Local WDBs, one-stop center operators, and one-stop partners participating in the operation of the one-stop delivery system involved, or the extent of the applicant's good faith efforts, as determined by the Secretary, in achieving such coordination;
(2) Public education, criminal justice, housing and community development, national service, or postsecondary education or other systems that relate to the goals of the proposed program; and
(3) Employers in the local area;
(g) The extent to which a proposed program provides for inclusion of tenants who were previously homeless individuals or families in the rental of housing provided through the program;
(h) The commitment of additional resources to the proposed program (in addition to the funds made available through the grant) by:
(1) An applicant;
(2) Recipients of other Federal, State, or local housing and community development assistance who will sponsor any part of the rehabilitation, construction, operation and maintenance, or other housing and community development activities undertaken as part of the proposed program; or
(3) Entities carrying out other Federal, State, or local activities or activities conducted by Indian tribes, including vocational education programs, adult and language instruction educational programs, and job training using funds provided under WIOA;
(i) An applicant's ability to enter partnerships with:
(1) Education and training providers including:
(i) The kindergarten through twelfth grade educational system;
(ii) Adult education programs;
(iii) Community and technical colleges;
(iv) Four-year colleges and universities;
(v) Registered apprenticeship programs; and
(vi) Other training entities;
(2) Employers, including professional organizations and associations. An applicant will be evaluated on the extent to which employers participate in:
(i) Defining the program strategy and goals;
(ii) Identifying needed skills and competencies;
(iii) Designing training approaches and curricula;
(iv) Contributing financial support; and
(v) Hiring qualified YouthBuild graduates;
(3) The workforce development system which may include:
(i) State and Local WDBs;
(ii) State workforce agencies; and
(iii) One-stop centers and their partner programs;
(4) The juvenile and adult justice systems, and the extent to which they provide:
(i) Support and guidance for YouthBuild participants with court involvement;
(ii) Assistance in the reporting of recidivism rates among YouthBuild participants; and
(iii) Referrals of eligible participants through diversion or reentry from incarceration;
(5) Faith-based and community organizations, and the extent to which they provide a variety of grant services such as:
(i) Case management;
(ii) Mentoring;
(iii) English as a Second Language courses; and
(iv) Other comprehensive supportive services, when appropriate;
(j) The applicant's potential to serve different regions, including rural areas and States that may not have previously received grants for YouthBuild programs; and
(k) Such other factors as the Secretary determines to be appropriate for purposes of evaluating an applicant's potential to carry out the proposed program in an effective and efficient manner.
(l) The weight to be given to these factors will be described in a FOA issued under § 688.210.
§ 688.230   What are the minimum requirements to apply for YouthBuild funds?
At minimum, applications for YouthBuild funds must include the following elements:
(a) Labor market information for the relevant labor market area, including both current data (as of the date of submission of the application) and projections on career opportunities in construction and in-demand industry sectors or occupations;
(b) A request for the grant, specifying the amount of the grant requested and its proposed uses;
(c) A description of the applicant and a statement of its qualifications, including a description of the applicant's relationship with Local WDBs, one-stop operators, employers, local unions, entities carrying out registered apprenticeship programs, other community groups, and the applicant's past experience with rehabilitation or construction of housing or public facilities (including experience with programs through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under sec. 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701u)), and with youth education and employment training programs);
(d) A description of the proposed site for the proposed program;
(e) A description of the educational and job training activities, work opportunities, postsecondary education and training opportunities, and other services that will be provided to participants, and how those activities, opportunities, and services will prepare youth for employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the labor market area described in paragraph (a) of this section;
(1) A description of the proposed activities to be undertaken under the grant related to rehabilitation or construction, and, in the case of an applicant requesting approval from the Secretary to carry out additional activities related to in-demand industry sectors or occupations, a description of such additional activities.
(2) The anticipated schedule for carrying out all activities proposed under paragraph (f) of this section;
(f) A description of the manner in which eligible youth will be recruited and selected as participants, including a description of arrangements that will be made with Local WDBs, one-stop operators, faith and community-based organizations, State education agencies or local education agencies (including agencies of Indian tribes), public assistance agencies, the courts of jurisdictions, agencies that serve youth who are homeless individuals (including those that operate shelters), foster care agencies, and other appropriate public and private agencies;
(g) A description of the special outreach efforts that will be undertaken to recruit eligible young women (including young women with dependent children) as participants;
(h) A description of the specific role of employers in the proposed program, such as their role in developing the proposed program and assisting in service provision and placement activities;
(i) A description of how the proposed program will be coordinated with other Federal, State, and local activities conducted by Indian tribes, such as workforce investment activities, career and technical education and training programs, adult and language instruction educational programs, activities conducted by public schools, activities conducted by community colleges, national service programs, and other job training provided with funds available under WIOA, in particular how programs will coordinate with local Workforce Development funds outlined in WIOA sec. 129(c)(2);
(j) Assurances that there will be a sufficient number of adequately trained supervisory personnel in the proposed program;
(k) A description of the level of performance to be achieved with respect to primary indicators of performance for eligible youth as described in § 688.410;
(l) The organization's past performance under a grant issued by the Secretary to operate a YouthBuild program;
(m) A description of the applicant's relationship with local building trade unions regarding their involvement in training to be provided through the proposed program, the relationship of the proposed program to established registered apprenticeship programs and employers, the ability of the applicant to grant an industry-recognized certificate or certification through the program, and the quality of the program leading to the certificate or certification;
(n) A description of activities that will be undertaken to develop leadership skills of participants;
(o) A detailed budget and description of the system of fiscal controls, and auditing and accounting procedures, that will be used to ensure fiscal soundness for the proposed program;
(p) A description of the commitments for any additional resources (in addition to funds made available through the grant) to be made available to the proposed program from:
(1) The applicant;
(2) Recipients of other Federal, State, or local housing and community development assistance that will sponsor any part of the rehabilitation or construction, operation or maintenance, or other housing and community development activities undertaken as part of the proposed program; or
(3) Entities carrying out other Federal, State or local activities conducted by Indian tribes, including career and technical education and training programs, and job training provided with funds under WIOA;
(q) Information identifying and describing of, the financing proposed for any:
(1) Rehabilitation of the property involved;
(2) Acquisition of the property; or
(3) Construction of the property;
(r) Information identifying and describing of, the entity that will manage and operate the property;
(s) Information identifying and describing of, the data collection systems to be used;
(t) A certification, by a public official responsible for the housing strategy for the State or unit of general local government within which the proposed program is located, that the proposed program is consistent with the housing strategy;
(u) A certification that the applicant will comply with requirements of the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq. ) and will affirmatively further fair housing; and
(v) Any additional requirements that the Secretary determines are appropriate.
§ 688.240   How are eligible entities notified of approval for grant funds?
The Secretary will, to the extent practicable, notify each eligible entity applying for funds no later than 5 months from the date the application is received, whether the application is approved or disapproved. In the event additional funds become available, the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) reserves the right to use such funds to select additional grantees from applications submitted in response to a FOA.
§ 688.300   Who is an eligible participant?
(a) Eligibility criteria. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, an individual is eligible to participate in a YouthBuild program if the individual is:
(1) Not less than age 16 and not more than age 24 on the date of enrollment;
(2) A school dropout or an individual who has dropped out of school and has subsequently reenrolled; and
(3) Is one or more of the following:
(i) A member of a low-income family;
(ii) A youth in foster care;
(iii) An offender;
(iv) A youth who is an individual with a disability;
(v) The child of a current or formerly incarcerated parent; or
(vi) A migrant youth.
(b) Exceptions. Not more than 25 percent of the participants in a program, under this section, may be individuals who do not meet the requirements of paragraph (a)(2) or (3) of this section, if such individuals:
(1) Are basic skills deficient, as defined in § 688.120, despite attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized State equivalent (including recognized certificates of attendance or similar documents for individuals with disabilities); or
(2) Have been referred by a local secondary school for participation in a YouthBuild program leading to the attainment of a secondary school diploma if such referral is to a YouthBuild program offering a secondary school diploma.
§ 688.310   Are there special rules that apply to veterans?
Special rules for determining income for veterans are found in § 683.230 of this chapter and for the priority of service provisions for qualified persons are found in 20 CFR part 1010. Those special rules apply to covered persons who are eligible to participate in the YouthBuild program.
§ 688.320   What eligible activities may be funded under the YouthBuild program?
Grantees may provide one or more of the following education and workforce investment and other activities to YouthBuild participants:
(a) Eligible education and workforce activities including:
(1) Work experience and skills training (coordinated, to the maximum extent feasible, with registered apprenticeship programs), including:
(i) Supervision and training for participants in the rehabilitation or construction of housing, including residential housing for homeless individuals or low-income families, or transitional housing for homeless individuals and in additional in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the region in which the program operates (as approved by the Secretary);
(ii) Supervision and training for participants in the rehabilitation or construction of community and other public facilities, except that not more than 15 percent of grant funds-appropriated to carry out this section may be used for this activity; and
(iii) Supervision and training for participants in in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the region in which the program operates, if such activity is approved by the Secretary;
(2) Occupational skills training;
(3) Other paid and unpaid work experiences, including internships and job shadowing;
(4) Services and activities designed to meet the educational needs of participants, including:
(i) Basic skills instruction and remedial education;
(ii) Language instruction educational programs for participants who are English language learners;
(iii) Secondary education services and activities, including tutoring, study skills training, and school dropout prevention and recovery activities, designed to lead to the attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent (including recognized certificates of attendance or similar documents for individuals with disabilities);
(iv) Counseling and assistance in obtaining postsecondary education and required financial aid; and
(v) Alternative secondary school services;
(5) Counseling services and related activities, such as comprehensive guidance and counseling on drug and alcohol abuse, referrals to mental health services, and referrals to victim services;
(6) Activities designed to develop employment and leadership skills, which may include community service and peer-centered activities encouraging responsibility, interpersonal skills, and other positive social behaviors, and activities related to youth policy committees that participate in decision-making related to the program;
(7)(i) Supportive services and needs-based payments necessary to enable individuals to participate in the program and to assist individuals, for a period of time not to exceed 12 months after the completion of training, in obtaining or retaining employment or applying for and transitioning to postsecondary education or training;
(ii) To provide needs-based payments, a grantee must have a written policy which:
(A) Establishes participant eligibility for such payments;
(B) Establishes the amounts to be provided;
(C) Describes the required documentation and criteria for payments; and
(D) Applies consistently to all program participants; and
(8) Job search and assistance;
(b) Payment of the administrative costs of the applicant, including recruitment and selection of participants, except that not more than 10 percent of the amount awarded under § 688.210 may be used for such costs;
(c) Adult mentoring;
(d) Provision of wages, stipends, or benefits to participants in the program;
(e) Ongoing training and technical assistance that is related to developing and carrying out the program; and
(f) Follow-up services.
§ 688.330   What level of training qualifies a construction project as a qualifying work site under the YouthBuild program?
At a minimum, in order to qualify as a work site for the purposes of the YouthBuild program, a work site must:
(a) Provide participants with the opportunity to have hands-on training and experience in two or more modules, each within a different skill area, in a construction skills training program that offers an industry-recognized credential;
(b) Be built or renovated for low-income individuals or families;
(c) Have a restrictive covenant in place that only allows for rental or resale to low-income participants as required by § 688.730; and
(d) Adhere to the allowable construction and other capital asset costs applicable to the YouthBuild program.
§ 688.340   What timeframes apply to participation?
An eligible individual selected for participation in the program must be offered full-time participation in the program for not less than 6 months and not more than 24 months.
§ 688.350   What timeframes must be devoted to education and workforce investment or other activities?
YouthBuild grantees must structure programs so that participants in the program are offered:
(a) Education and related services and activities designed to meet educational needs, such as those specified in § 688.320(a)(4) through (7), during at least 50 percent of the time during which they participate in the program; and
(b) Workforce and skills development activities, such as those specified in § 688.320(a)(1) through (3), during at least 40 percent of the time during which they participate in the program.
(c) The remaining 10 percent of the time of participation may be used for the activities described in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section and/or for leadership development and community service activities.
§ 688.360   What timeframes apply to follow-up services?
Grantees must provide follow-up services to all YouthBuild participants for a period of 12 months after a participant successfully exits a YouthBuild program.
§ 688.370   What are the requirements for exit from the YouthBuild program?
At a minimum, to be a successful exit, the Department of Labor requires that:
(a) Participants receive hands-on construction training or hands-on training in another industry or occupation, in the case of Construction Plus grantees; and
(b) Participants meet the exit policies established by the grantee.
(1) Such policies must describe the program outcomes and/or individual goals that must be met by each participant in order to successfully complete the program; and
(2) Grantees must apply the policies consistently to determine when a successful exit has occurred.
§ 688.380   What is the role of the YouthBuild grantee in the one-stop delivery system?
In those local areas where the grantee operates its YouthBuild program, the grantee is a required partner of the local one-stop delivery system and is subject to the provisions relating to such partners described in part 678 of this chapter.
§ 688.400   What are the performance indicators for YouthBuild grants?
The performance indicators for YouthBuild grants include:
(a) The percentage of program participants who are in education and training activities, or in unsubsidized employment, during the second quarter after exit from the program;
(b) The percentage of program participants who are in education or training activities, or in unsubsidized employment, during the fourth quarter after exit from the program;
(c) The median earnings of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program;
(d) The percentage of program participants who obtain a recognized postsecondary credential or secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent (and for those achieving the secondary diploma or its recognized equivalent, such participants also have obtained or retained employment or are in an education or training program leading to a recognized postsecondary credential within 1 year after exit from the program);
(e) The percentage of program participants who, during a program year, are in an education and training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential or employment and who are achieving measurable skill gains toward such a credential or employment;
(f) The percentage of participants in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program who were employed by the same employer in the second and fourth quarters after exit; and
(g) Other indicators of performance as may be required by the Secretary.
§ 688.410   What are the required levels of performance for the performance indicators?
(a) The Secretary must annually establish expected levels of performance for YouthBuild programs relating to each of the primary indicators of performance. The expected levels of performance for each of the performance indicators are national standards that are provided in separately issued guidance. Short-term or other performance indicators will be provided in separately issued guidance or as part of the FOA or grant agreement. Performance level expectations will be based on available YouthBuild data and data from similar WIOA youth programs and may change from one grant competition to another. The expected national levels of performance will take into account the extent to which the levels promote continuous improvement in performance.
(b) The levels of performance established will at a minimum:
(1) Be expressed in an objective, quantifiable, and measurable form; and
(2) Indicate continuous improvement in performance.
§ 688.420   What are the reporting requirements for YouthBuild grantees?
Each grantee must provide such reports as are required by the Secretary in separately issued guidance, including:
(a) The quarterly performance report;
(b) The quarterly narrative progress report;
(c) The financial report; and
(d) Such other reports as may be required by the grant agreement.
§ 688.430   What are the due dates for quarterly reporting?
(a) Quarterly reports are due no later than 45 days after the end of the reporting quarter, unless otherwise specified in the reporting guidance issued under § 688.420; and
(b) A final financial report is required 90 days after the expiration of a funding period or the termination of grant support.
§ 688.500   What administrative regulations apply to the YouthBuild program?
Each YouthBuild grantee must comply with the following:
(a) The regulations found in this part;
(b) The general administrative requirements found in part 683 of this chapter, except those that apply only to the WIOA title I, subtitle B program and those that have been modified by this section;
(c) The Department's regulations on government-wide requirements, which include:
(1) The regulations codifying the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) government-wide grants requirements at 2 CFR parts 200 and 2900, as applicable;
(2) The Department's regulations at 29 CFR part 38, which implement the nondiscrimination provisions of WIOA sec. 188;
(3) The Department's regulations at 29 CFR parts 93, 94, and 98 relating to restrictions on lobbying, drug free workplace, and debarment and suspension; and
(4) The audit requirements of the Office of Management and Budget at 2 CFR parts 200 and 2900, as applicable; and
(d) Relevant State and local educational standards.
§ 688.510   How may grantees provide services under the YouthBuild program?
Each recipient of a grant under the YouthBuild program may provide the services and activities described in these regulations either directly or through subgrants, contracts, or other arrangements with local educational agencies, postsecondary educational institutions, State or local housing development agencies, other public agencies, including agencies of Indian tribes, or private organizations.
§ 688.520   What cost limits apply to the use of YouthBuild program funds?
(a) Administrative costs for programs operated under YouthBuild are limited to 10 percent of the grant award. The definition of administrative costs can be found in § 683.215 of this chapter.
(b) The cost of supervision and training for participants involved in the rehabilitation or construction of community and other public facilities is limited to no more than 15 percent of the grant award.
§ 688.530   What are the cost-sharing or matching requirements of the YouthBuild program?
(a) In addition to the rules described in paragraphs (b) through (f) of this section, the cost-sharing or matching requirements applicable to a YouthBuild grant will be addressed in the grant agreement.
(b) The value of construction materials used in the YouthBuild program is an allowable cost for the purposes of the required non-Federal share or match.
(c) The value of land acquired for the YouthBuild program is not an allowable cost-sharing or match.
(d) Federal funds may not be used as cost-sharing or match resources except as provided by Federal law.
(e) The value of buildings acquired for the YouthBuild program is an allowable match, provided that the following conditions apply:
(1) The purchase cost of buildings used solely for training purposes is allowable; and
(2) For buildings used for training and other purposes, the allowable amount is determined based on the proportionate share of the purchase price related to direct training activities.
(f) Grantees must follow the requirements of Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR parts 200 and 2900 in the accounting, valuation, and reporting of the required non-Federal share.
§ 688.540   What are considered to be leveraged funds?
(a) Leveraged funds may be used to support allowable YouthBuild program activities and consist of payments made for allowable costs funded by both non-YouthBuild Federal, and non-Federal, resources which include:
(1) Costs which meet the criteria for cost-sharing or match in § 688.530 and are in excess of the amount of cost-sharing or match resources required;
(2) Costs which would meet the criteria in § 688.530 except that they are paid for with other Federal resources; and
(3) Costs which benefit the grant program and are otherwise allowable under the cost principles but are not allowable under the grant because of some statutory, regulatory, or grant provision, whether paid for with Federal or non-Federal resources.
(b) The use of leveraged funds must be reported in accordance with Departmental instructions.
§ 688.550   How are the costs associated with real property treated in the YouthBuild program?
(a) As provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, the costs of the following activities associated with real property are allowable solely for the purpose of training YouthBuild participants:
(1) Rehabilitation of existing structures for use by homeless individuals and families or low-income families or for use as transitional housing;
(2) Construction of buildings for use by homeless individuals and families or low-income families or for use as transitional housing; and
(3) Construction or rehabilitation of community or other public facilities, except, as provided in § 688.520(b), only 15 percent of the grant award is allowable for such construction and rehabilitation.
(b) The costs for acquisition of buildings that are used for activities described in paragraph (a) of this section are allowable with prior grant officer approval and only under the following conditions:
(1) The purchase cost of buildings used solely for training purposes is allowable; and
(2) For buildings used for training and other purposes, the allowable amount is determined based on the proportionate share of the purchase cost related to direct training.
(c) The following costs are allowable to the extent allocable to training YouthBuild participants in the construction and rehabilitation activities specified in paragraph (a) of this section:
(1) Trainees' tools and clothing including personal protective equipment (PPE);
(2) On-site trainee supervisors;
(3) Construction management;
(4) Relocation of buildings; and
(5) Clearance and demolition.
(d) Architectural fees, or a proportionate share thereof, are allowable when such fees can be related to items such as architectural plans or blueprints on which participants will be trained.
(e) The following costs are unallowable:
(1) The costs of acquisition of land; and
(2) Brokerage fees.
§ 688.560   What participant costs are allowable under the YouthBuild program?
Allowable participant costs include:
(a) The costs of payments to participants engaged in eligible work-related YouthBuild activities;
(b) The costs of payments provided to participants engaged in non-work-related YouthBuild activities;
(c) The costs of needs-based payments;
(d) The costs of supportive services; and
(e) The costs of providing additional benefits to participants or individuals who have exited the program and are receiving follow-up services, which may include:
(1) Tuition assistance for obtaining college education credits;
(2) Scholarships to a registered apprenticeship or technical education program; and
(3) Employer- or Government-sponsored health programs.
§ 688.570   Does the Department allow incentive payments in the YouthBuild program?
(a) Grantees are permitted to provide incentive payments to youth participants for recognition and achievement directly tied to training activities and work experiences. Grantees must tie the incentive payments to the goals of the specific grant program and outline such goals in writing prior to starting the program that makes incentive payments.
(b) Prior to providing incentive payments, the organization must have written policies and procedures in place governing the awarding of incentives, and the incentives provided under the grant must align with these organizational policies.
(c) All incentive payments must comply with the requirements in Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR part 200.
§ 688.580   What effect do payments to YouthBuild participants have on eligibility for other Federal needs-based benefits?
Under § 683.275(d) of this chapter, the Department does not consider allowances, earnings, and payments to individuals participating in programs under title I of WIOA as income for purposes of determining eligibility for and the amount of income transfer and in-kind aid furnished under any Federal or Federally-assisted program based on need other than as provided under the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 301).
§ 688.590   What program income requirements apply under the YouthBuild program?
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, program income requirements, as specified in the applicable Uniform Administrative Requirements at 2 CFR parts 200 and 2900, apply to YouthBuild grants.
(b) Revenue from the sale of buildings rehabilitated or constructed under the YouthBuild program to homeless individuals and families and low-income families is not considered program income. Grantees are encouraged to use that revenue for the long-term sustainability of the YouthBuild program.
§ 688.600   Are YouthBuild programs subject to the Davis-Bacon Act labor standards?
(a) YouthBuild programs and grantees are subject to Davis-Bacon labor standards requirements under the circumstances set forth in paragraph (b) of this section. In those instances where a grantee is subject to Davis-Bacon requirements, the grantee must follow applicable requirements in the Department's regulations at 29 CFR parts 1, 3, and 5, including the requirements contained in the Davis-Bacon contract provisions set forth in 29 CFR 5.5.
(b) YouthBuild participants are subject to Davis-Bacon Act labor standards when they perform Davis-Bacon-covered laborer or mechanic work, defined at 29 CFR 5.2(m), on Federal or Federally-assisted projects that are subject to the Davis-Bacon Act labor standards. The Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements apply to hours worked on the site of the work.
(c) YouthBuild participants who are not registered and participating in a training program approved by the ETA must be paid not less than the applicable wage rate on the wage determination for the classification of work actually performed.
§ 688.610   What are the recordkeeping requirements for YouthBuild programs?
(a) Grantees must follow the recordkeeping requirements specified in the Uniform Administrative Requirements, at 29 CFR 95.53 and 97.42, as appropriate.
(b) Grantees must maintain such additional records related to the use of buildings constructed or rehabilitated with YouthBuild funds as specified in the grant agreement or in the Department's guidance.
§ 688.700   What are the safety requirements for the YouthBuild program?
(a) YouthBuild Grantees must comply with § 683.280 of this chapter, which applies Federal and State health and safety standards to the working conditions under WIOA-funded projects and programs. These health and safety standards include “hazardous orders” governing child labor at 29 CFR part 570.
(b) YouthBuild grantees are required to:
(1) Provide comprehensive safety training for youth working on YouthBuild construction projects;
(2) Have written, jobsite-specific safety plans overseen by an on-site supervisor with authority to enforce safety procedures;
(3) Provide necessary personal protective equipment to youth working on YouthBuild projects; and
(4) Submit required injury incident reports.
§ 688.710   What are the reporting requirements for youth safety?
YouthBuild grantees must ensure that YouthBuild program sites comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) reporting requirements in 29 CFR part 1904. A YouthBuild grantee is responsible for sending a copy of OSHA's injury incident report form to the ETA within 7 days of any reportable injury suffered by a YouthBuild participant. The injury incident report form is available from OSHA and can be downloaded at http://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/RKforms.html . Reportable injuries include those that result in death, days away from work, restricted work or transfer to another job, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness.
§ 688.720   What environmental protection laws apply to the YouthBuild program?
YouthBuild program grantees are required, where applicable, to comply with all environmental protection statutes and regulations.
§ 688.730   What requirements apply to YouthBuild housing?
(a) YouthBuild grantees must ensure that all residential housing units which are constructed or rehabilitated using YouthBuild funds must be available solely for:
(1) Sale to homeless individuals and families or low-income families;
(2) Rental by homeless individuals and families or low-income families;
(3) Use as transitional or permanent housing for the purpose of assisting in the movement of homeless individuals and families to independent living. In the case of transitional housing, the unit(s) must be occupied no more than 24 months by the same individual(s); or
(4) Rehabilitation of homes for low-income homeowners.
(b) For rentals of residential units located on the property which are constructed or rehabilitated using YouthBuild funds:
(1) The property must maintain at least a 90 percent level of occupancy for low-income families. The income test will be conducted only at the time of entry for each available unit or rehabilitation of occupant-owned home. If the grantee cannot find a qualifying tenant to lease the unit, the unit may be leased to a family whose income is above the income threshold to qualify as a low-income family but below the median income for the area. Leases for tenants with higher incomes will be limited to not more than 2 years. The leases provided to tenants with higher incomes are not subject to the termination clause that is described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
(2) The property owner must not terminate the tenancy or refuse to renew the lease of a tenant occupying a residential rental housing unit constructed or rehabilitated using YouthBuild funds except for serious or repeated violations of the terms and conditions of the lease, for violation of applicable Federal, State, or local laws, or for good cause. Any termination or refusal to renew the lease must be preceded by not less than a 30-day written notice to the tenant specifying the grounds for the action. The property owner may waive the written notice requirement for termination in dangerous or egregious situations involving the tenant.
(c) All transitional or permanent housing for homeless individuals or families or low-income families must be safe and sanitary. The housing must meet all applicable State and local housing codes and licensing requirements in the jurisdiction in which the housing is located.
(d) For sales or rentals of residential housing units constructed or rehabilitated using YouthBuild funds, YouthBuild grantees must ensure that owners of the property record a restrictive covenant at the time that an occupancy permit is issued against such property which includes the use restrictions set forth in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section and incorporates the following definitions at § 688.120: Homeless individual, Low-income family, and Transitional housing. The term of the restrictive covenant must be at least 5 years from the time of the issuance of the occupancy permit, unless a time period of more than 5 years has been established by the grantee. The Department advises that any additional stipulations imposed by a grantee or property owner be clearly stated in the covenant.
(e) Any conveyance document prepared in the 5-year period of the restrictive covenant must inform the buyer of the property that all residential housing units constructed or rehabilitated using YouthBuild funds are subject to the restrictions set forth in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section.