I 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2358 
To prepare disconnected youth for a competitive future. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 24, 2011 
Mr. KILDEE (for himself, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. ELLISON, Mr. SABLAN, Mr. 
KISSELL, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Mr. PIERLUISI, Ms. BROWN of Florida, 
and Mr. POLIS) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Education and the Workforce 
A BILL 
To prepare disconnected youth for a competitive future. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Reengaging Americans in Serious Education by Uniting 
Programs Act’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Findings and purposes. 
Sec. 3. Definitions. 
Sec. 4. Grants authorized. 
Sec. 5. Application. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6211
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
Sec. 6. Priority. 
Sec. 7. Selection criteria. 
Sec. 8. Use of funds. 
Sec. 9. Planning grants authorized. 
Sec. 10. Accountability, performance measures, and evaluation. 
Sec. 11. Technical assistance and best practices. 
Sec. 12. Authorization of appropriations. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) In the United States today, millions of 
youth drop out of secondary school, fail to complete 
their studies, or do not graduate on time. While the 
United States has made slow progress in improving 
graduation rates, the dropout challenge remains a 
crisis that is impeding our ability to produce an edu-
cated workforce and succeed in the 21st century 
global economy. 
(2) Government data shows that more than 25 
percent of our students fail to complete secondary 
school in 4 years. In some of the Nation’s larger cit-
ies and among urban minority youth, dropout rates 
of 40 percent are not uncommon. 
(3) According to the Bureau of Labor Statis-
tics, in 2007, nearly 6,200,000 youth were secondary 
school dropouts. The impact of this dropout crisis 
has been likened to ‘‘a permanent recession’’ for 
youth, and it has consequences for the economy of 
the United States. Disconnected youth are more 
likely than other youth to engage in criminal activi-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
ties, become incarcerated, and rely on public systems 
of support. 
(4) The Department of Education reports that 
the average secondary school dropout is associated 
with costs to the economy of approximately 
$240,000 over the individual’s lifetime in terms of 
lower tax contributions, higher reliance on govern-
ment health programs and public assistance, and 
higher rates of criminal activity. Over their lifetimes, 
secondary school dropouts are estimated to earn 
$400,000 less than secondary school graduates. Fur-
ther, only 37 percent of secondary school dropouts 
are steadily employed, and they are more than twice 
as likely to live in high poverty. 
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this Act are— 
(1) to prepare disconnected youth for a com-
petitive future; 
(2) to challenge and support young people who 
have dropped out of secondary school to— 
(A) attain a secondary school diploma; 
(B) attain a 2-year or 4-year credential 
from a recognized postsecondary educational in-
stitution, an industry-recognized credential, or 
certification from a registered apprenticeship 
program; and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(C) secure and succeed in a family-sup-
porting career; and 
(3) to support local community partnerships in 
integrating existing, and often disparate, services 
into a comprehensive, cross-systems dropout recov-
ery approach. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) DISABILITY.—The term ‘‘disability’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 3 of the Ameri-
cans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
12102). 
(2) DISCONNECTED
YOUTH.—The term ‘‘dis-
connected youth’’ means a young person who— 
(A) has left secondary school without ob-
taining a secondary school diploma; 
(B) is or was previously a homeless child 
or youth; 
(C) is or was under the care and place-
ment responsibility of the State agency respon-
sible for administering a plan under parts B 
and E of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 621 et seq., 670 et seq.); 
(D) was under the custody of a juvenile 
justice or criminal justice system; 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(E) has a disability; or 
(F) is a low income individual and is preg-
nant or parenting and not attending any school. 
(3) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti-
ty’’ means a partnership consisting of entities or in-
dividuals qualified to represent the community as-
sisted, or proposed to be assisted, by a grant under 
this Act, including not less than one partner from 
each of the following categories: 
(A) A mayor, or other appropriate chief ex-
ecutive officer, of a unit of general purpose 
local government in the community. 
(B) A local educational agency (as defined 
in section 9101 of the Elementary and Sec-
ondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
7801)) serving the community. 
(C) A local workforce system serving the 
community. 
(D) An institution of higher education 
serving the community. 
(E) A representative of a local or state sys-
tem serving young people in the community, in-
cluding— 
(i) a juvenile justice system; 
(ii) a criminal justice system; 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(iii) a housing agency; 
(iv) a mental health agency; and 
(v) a child welfare agency. 
(F) A representative of a community-based 
organization serving the community. 
(G) A representative from business or in-
dustry. 
(H) A representative with expertise in 
labor management relations. 
(I) A disconnected youth in the community 
and the parents or caregivers of such discon-
nected youth. 
(4) FEDERAL
YOUTH
DEVELOPMENT
COUN-
CIL.—The term ‘‘Federal Youth Development Coun-
cil’’ means the Federal Youth Development Council 
established under the Tom Osborne Federal Youth 
Coordination Act (Public Law 109–365; 120 Stat. 
2594). 
(5) HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTHS.—The 
term ‘‘homeless children and youths’’ has the mean-
ing given the term in section 725 of the McKinney- 
Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a). 
(6) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). 
(7) ONE-STOP
CENTER.—The term ‘‘one-stop 
center’’ means a one-stop center described in section 
134(c) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 
U.S.C. 2864(c)). 
(8) POSTSECONDARY
EDUCATION.—The term 
‘‘postsecondary education’’ means— 
(A) a 4-year program of instruction, or not 
less than a 1-year program of instruction that 
is acceptable for credit toward a baccalaureate 
degree, offered by an institution of higher edu-
cation; or 
(B) a certificate or registered apprentice-
ship program at the postsecondary level offered 
by an institution of higher education or a non-
profit educational institution. 
(9) REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.— 
The term ‘‘registered apprenticeship program’’ 
means an industry skills training program at the 
postsecondary level that combines technical and the-
oretical training through structured on-the-job learn-
ing with related instruction (in a classroom or 
through distance learning) while an individual is em-
ployed, working under the direction of qualified per-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
sonnel or a mentor, and earning incremental wage 
increases aligned to enhanced job proficiency, result-
ing in the acquisition of a nationally recognized and 
portable certificate, under a plan approved by the 
Office of Apprenticeship of the Department of Labor 
or by a State agency recognized by the Department 
of Labor. 
(10) SECONDARY
SCHOOL.—The term ‘‘sec-
ondary school’’ has the meaning given the term in 
section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). 
(11) 
SECRETARY.—The 
term 
‘‘Secretary’’ 
means the Secretary of Labor. 
(12) YOUNG PEOPLE.—The term ‘‘young peo-
ple’’ means individuals who are between the ages of 
16 and 24, inclusive, at the time of commencement 
of participation in services funded through a grant 
under section 4. 
SEC. 4. GRANTS AUTHORIZED. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation 
with the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services, the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development, the Attorney General of the United States, 
the Federal Youth Development Council, and leaders in 
the field of working with disconnected youth, shall award 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to enable 
the eligible entities to pay the costs of— 
(1) developing and implementing a strategy to 
identify disconnected youth; and 
(2) providing such disconnected youth with sup-
port needed to— 
(A) attain a secondary school diploma or 
its recognized equivalent; 
(B) attain a postsecondary credential, in-
cluding a 2-year or 4-year credential from an 
institution of higher education, an industry-rec-
ognized credential, or certification from a reg-
istered apprenticeship program; and 
(C) secure and succeed in a family-sup-
porting career. 
(b) MINIMUM GRANT AMOUNT.—The Secretary shall 
award a grant under this section in an amount that— 
(1) is appropriate to achieve the goals and im-
plement the activities described in the application 
submitted under section 5; and 
(2) is not less than $1,000,000 per year. 
(c) DURATION OF GRANT.—A grant under this sec-
tion shall be awarded for a period of 5 years, and may 
be renewed at the discretion of the Secretary based on the 
effective performance of the eligible entity under the pre-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
ceding grant in accordance with the levels of performance 
determined by the eligible entity and the Secretary pursu-
ant to section 9(b). 
(d) EQUITABLE
GEOGRAPHIC
DISTRIBUTION
OF 
FUNDS.—The Secretary shall ensure an equitable and ap-
propriate distribution of grants awarded under this section 
among eligible entities— 
(1) serving urban, rural, and suburban areas; 
and 
(2) with varying degrees of experience and ex-
pertise in serving disconnected youth. 
(e) FISCAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE AGENTS.—An eli-
gible entity shall choose an entity to be the fiscal agent 
and an entity to be the administrative agent for the grant 
funds received under this section. 
(f) EXISTING PARTNERSHIP.—An existing workforce, 
education, or youth development partnership, coalition, or 
organization may serve as the eligible entity for the pur-
poses of grants under this section if the partnership, coali-
tion, or organization includes, or modifies the members of 
the partnership, coalition, or organization to include, the 
individuals required to be included in the eligible entity 
under section 3(2). 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
SEC. 5. APPLICATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—An eligible entity that desires a 
grant under section 4 shall submit an application to the 
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing 
such information as the Secretary may require. 
(b) CONTENTS.—An application submitted under this 
section shall include— 
(1) a description of the eligible entity submit-
ting the application, including a description of the 
fiscal agent and the administrative agent for the 
grant; 
(2) a description of the strategy that the eligi-
ble entity will use to carry out the purpose of this 
Act, which shall include— 
(A) a well-developed education component 
with an emphasis on— 
(i) multiple pathways and options to-
wards secondary school diploma and post-
secondary credential attainment, which 
may include recuperative strategies such as 
competency based instruction and credit 
retrieval as well as basic literacy; and 
(ii) the skills needed in the fields of 
science, technology, engineering, and math-
ematics; 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(B) a work preparation component, which 
may include a hands-on internship, work experi-
ence, or national or community service, that 
promotes the development of applied skills such 
as oral and written communication, teamwork, 
leadership, and critical thinking; and 
(C) a youth support component, including 
the array of comprehensive support services 
that will— 
(i) address the challenges that caused 
the disconnected youth to leave school 
without a secondary school diploma; 
(ii) remove barriers to and support 
the attainment of— 
(I) the graduation of such young 
people from secondary school; 
(II) a postsecondary credential, 
including a 2-year or 4-year credential 
from an institution of higher edu-
cation, an industry-recognized creden-
tial, or certification from a registered 
apprenticeship program; and 
(III) success in a family-sup-
porting career; and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(iii) provide appropriate case manage-
ment to ensure young people achieve the 
purposes described in section 2(b); 
(3) a needs assessment of the community to be 
assisted under the grant, including— 
(A) an estimate of the number of discon-
nected youth in the community; and 
(B) an assessment of resources available in 
the community that can help such disconnected 
youth— 
(i) address the challenges that caused 
such disconnected youth to leave school 
without a secondary school diploma; 
(ii) return to an appropriate edu-
cational setting; 
(iii) attain a secondary school di-
ploma; 
(iv) attain a postsecondary credential, 
including a 2-year or 4-year credential 
from an institution of higher education, an 
industry-recognized credential, or certifi-
cation from a registered apprenticeship 
program; and 
(v) secure and succeed in a family- 
supporting career; 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(4) a plan for identifying and engaging discon-
nected youth and connecting such disconnected 
youth with a continuum of comprehensive and co-
ordinated resources that can help such disconnected 
youth attain a secondary school diploma, a recog-
nized postsecondary credential, including a 2-year or 
4-year credential from an institution of higher edu-
cation, an industry-recognized credential, or certifi-
cation from a registered apprenticeship program, 
and secure and succeed in a family-supporting ca-
reer, including a description of— 
(A) the needs of such disconnected youth 
that will be met by the eligible entity through 
the grant; 
(B) the identities, roles, and capacity of 
the partners in the eligible entity to fulfill the 
needs described in subparagraph (A), including 
a description of the role to be played by— 
(i) secondary schools and institutions 
of higher education in constructing edu-
cation programming; 
(ii) the local workforce system, includ-
ing one-stop career centers and businesses, 
in developing and implementing the work-
force preparation activities; and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(iii) systems serving young people, in-
cluding the juvenile justice system, and 
other community-based organizations in 
providing outreach, support, and direct 
service; 
(C) a plan to leverage non-Federal (includ-
ing in-kind) resources and a plan for sustain-
ability beyond the grant period; 
(D) the services to be provided through the 
grant to carry out the strategy described in 
paragraph (2) and a description of the process 
that will be used to award subgrants and con-
tracts under section 8 for the provision of such 
services; 
(E) the research and evidence base indi-
cating why the selected strategy and selection of 
services will be effective in meeting the com-
prehensive needs of the disconnected youth 
identified in the community; 
(F) the goals, intended outcomes, and per-
formance measures of the eligible entity’s strat-
egy in accordance with the performance meas-
ures under section 10(b); 
(G) a statement of concurrence on the ap-
plication, signed by the partners in the eligible 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
entity, that outlines the specific roles and re-
sponsibilities of the partners as the roles and 
responsibilities relate to the functioning of the 
eligible entity; and 
(H) a plan to create, or include an exist-
ing, youth advisory council, that is composed of 
disconnected youth from the community to be 
served, to make recommendations regarding the 
services to be provided under the grant; 
(5) a description of the system that will be put 
in place to— 
(A) provide case management, counseling, 
intensive placement and follow-up services, 
adult advocacy, or mentoring to help discon-
nected youth and their families access the var-
ious systems, resources, and supports necessary 
to ensure such young people’s success; and 
(B) ensure that young people receiving 
services through the grant will receive individ-
ualized case management to ensure that the 
young people achieve the purposes described in 
section 2(b), including— 
(i) an assessment of needs; 
(ii) coordination of appropriate serv-
ices; and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(iii) academic preparation and support 
for entry, persistence, and completion of 
postsecondary education; 
(6) a description of how the eligible entity will 
ensure that every young person served under the 
grant receives comprehensive services, including 
services from each of the categories described in sec-
tion 7(b)(1) through section 7(b)(3) until the young 
person— 
(A) attains a secondary school diploma, a 
2-year or 4-year credential or occupational cer-
tification from an institution of higher edu-
cation, an industry-recognized credential, or 
certification from a registered apprenticeship 
program; and 
(B) secures employment that can lead to 
economic self-sufficiency; 
(7) a description of how the strategy to be im-
plemented under the grant will identify, engage, and 
provide services to young people who— 
(A) left school without a secondary school 
diploma and have reading, mathematics, or 
science skills at or below the grade 8 level; and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(B) are disconnected youth described in 
any of subparagraphs (C) through (E) of sec-
tion 3(2); 
(8) a description of how public and private serv-
ices that exist on the date of submission of the ap-
plication will be coordinated and integrated in order 
to implement and sustain the strategy under the 
grant; 
(9) a description of how Federal, State, and 
local private and public funds will be leveraged, co-
ordinated, and integrated in order to implement the 
strategy under the grant; 
(10) a description of how the strategy to be im-
plemented under the grant strengthens, and does not 
duplicate, efforts within the community to be served 
under the grant that are funded under chapter 4 of 
subtitle B of title I of the Workforce Investment Act 
of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2851 et seq.); 
(11) a description of the process to be used to 
review or approve the industry-recognized credentials 
that may be attained by the young people receiving 
support under the grant; and 
(12) a description of how the strategy to be im-
plemented under the grant aligns with the efforts of 
the local educational agency serving the community 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
assisted under the grant to improve secondary 
schools, including efforts focused on— 
(A) students who are off-track to an on- 
time graduation; and 
(B) recuperative strategies. 
(c) EXISTING PLANS, ASSESSMENTS, AND STRATE-
GIES.—Plans, needs assessments, and strategies that have 
been developed by an eligible entity or the partners in the 
eligible entity may be used to satisfy the requirements of 
this section if such plans, needs assessments, or strate-
gies— 
(1) include the information required by this sec-
tion, or can be modified to include the information 
required by this section; and 
(2) are submitted to the Secretary with such 
modifications. 
SEC. 6. PRIORITY. 
In awarding grants to eligible entities under section 
4, the Secretary shall give priority to applications from 
eligible entities proposing— 
(1) to serve areas with disproportionately high 
numbers or percentages of young people who have 
left secondary school without obtaining a secondary 
school diploma or its recognized equivalent; 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(2) to serve areas with high concentrations of 
young people in families whose family income is not 
more than 200 percent of the poverty line (as deter-
mined under section 673(2) of the Community Serv-
ices Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9902(2))); and 
(3) to serve areas with high numbers or per-
centages of young people who are unemployed or un-
deremployed. 
SEC. 7. SELECTION CRITERIA. 
The Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities 
under section 4 based on selection criteria that includes 
the following: 
(1) BEST PRACTICES OR RESEARCH.—The ex-
tent to which the application submitted by an eligi-
ble entity under section 5 is rooted in documented 
best practices or research. 
(2) INTEGRATION.—The extent to which the 
application demonstrates the integration of multiple 
services into a comprehensive, coordinated con-
tinuum that meets the holistic needs of young peo-
ple, including health services, mental health services, 
housing, civic opportunities, job readiness, work ex-
perience, school readiness, reenrollment in school, 
and connections to family and community. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(3) LEADERSHIP
AND
COMMUNITY
INVOLVE-
MENT.—The extent to which the application dem-
onstrates the leadership and substantive involvement 
of the business community, the mayor or appropriate 
chief executive officers of the general purpose local 
government of the community to be served by the 
grant, each local educational agency serving the 
community, the public and nonprofit sectors of the 
community, and other individuals and entities, de-
scribed in section 3(2), of the community. 
(4) LEVERAGING
AND
SUSTAINABILITY.—The 
extent to which the application demonstrates that re-
sources from multiple sources will be leveraged to 
implement the grant, and the extent to which the 
application demonstrates a plan for sustainability 
beyond the grant period. 
SEC. 8. USE OF FUNDS. 
(a) SUBGRANTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Each eligible entity receiving 
a grant under section 4 shall use the grant funds— 
(A) to award subgrants and contracts to 
community-based organizations and other enti-
ties to enable the organizations and entities to 
provide a comprehensive array of coordinated 
activities that will— 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(i) support the educational, career and 
technical, social, emotional, and civic needs 
of disconnected youth; and 
(ii) allow disconnected youth to grad-
uate from secondary school, attain a post-
secondary credential, including a 2-year or 
4-year credential from an institution of 
higher education, an industry-recognized 
credential, or certification from a reg-
istered apprenticeship program, and secure 
and succeed in a family-supporting career; 
(B) for training, technical assistance, and 
professional development for the organizations 
and entities that is offered by local or national 
organizations; 
(C) for coordinating the overall effort of 
the eligible entity; or 
(D) for the reasonable costs associated 
with the administration and oversight of the 
grants under section 4. 
(2) USE OF SUBGRANT FUNDS.—Each organi-
zation or entity receiving a subgrant or contract 
under this section— 
(A) shall use the subgrant or contract 
funds to carry out a workforce preparation 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
service, an education support service, or a youth 
support service, described in paragraphs (1), 
(2), and (3) of subsection (b), respectively; and 
(B) may use the subgrant or contract 
funds to carry out an activity described in para-
graph (4) or (5) of subsection (b). 
(b) ALLOWABLE ACTIVITIES.—The services and ac-
tivities referred to in subsection (a)(2) include the fol-
lowing: 
(1) WORK AND CAREER PREPARATION.— 
(A) 
WORKFORCE
PREPARATION.—Job 
training, youth entrepreneurship, technological 
and career and technical skill building, mean-
ingful internship and apprenticeship opportuni-
ties, and other workforce preparation activities 
developed in partnership with the business com-
munity and other employers. 
(B) EXPOSURE
AND
PREPARATION
FOR 
CAREERS.—Strategies that will expose discon-
nected youth to, and prepare such disconnected 
youth for, careers, including careers in high- 
growth, high-demand industries that require the 
use of science, technology, engineering, and 
mathematics skills. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(C) APPLIED SKILLS.—Strategies that pro-
mote the development of applied skills in such 
young people, including oral and written com-
munication, 
teamwork, 
leadership, 
critical 
thinking, and a commitment to social and civic 
responsibility, including service-learning activi-
ties. 
(D) COMPENSATION.—Compensation for 
employment opportunities for such young peo-
ple, including summer and year-round employ-
ment opportunities, national and community 
service, service-learning, and work experience. 
(2) EDUCATION SUPPORT.— 
(A) 
EDUCATION
PROGRAMMING.—Edu-
cation programming for such young people, in-
cluding assessment, instruction, tutoring, and 
technology supports to academic instruction. 
(B) 
CAREER
AND
TECHNICAL
EDU-
CATION.—Career and technical education. 
(C) DUAL ENROLLMENT PROGRAMS AND 
EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOLS.—Participation 
in dual enrollment programs, early college high 
schools, and other proven models for supporting 
the educational achievement of disconnected 
youth. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(D) POSTSECONDARY CREDENTIALS.—Pro-
grams that provide young people with a postsec-
ondary credential from an institution of higher 
education, a non-profit postsecondary edu-
cational institution that offers an industry-rec-
ognized credential, or a registered apprentice-
ship program. 
(E) TRANSITION
SUPPORT.—Support for 
young people in their transition into and their 
successful completion of postsecondary edu-
cation. 
(F) FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE.—Financial 
assistance for such young people for education 
support services and for higher education. 
(3) YOUTH SUPPORT.— 
(A) CASE
MANAGEMENT.—Case manage-
ment, including using subgrant or contract 
funds for youth centers to serve as points of ac-
cess and continued support. 
(B) HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, OR DRUG 
TREATMENT SERVICES.—Health services, men-
tal health services, or drug treatment services. 
(C) HOUSING.—Housing. 
(D) TRANSPORTATION.—Transportation. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(E) CHILDCARE
OR
FAMILY
SUPPORT 
SERVICES.—Childcare services or family sup-
port services. 
(F) MENTORING
ACTIVITIES.—Mentoring 
activities for such young people, including one- 
to-one relationship building and tutoring. 
(4) CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT.—Curriculum 
development that promotes contextual learning. 
(5) OTHER
SERVICES
OR
OPPORTUNITIES.— 
Other services or opportunities that the Secretary or 
the eligible entity determine will help carry out the 
purposes of this Act. 
(c) ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS.—An eligible entity re-
ceiving a grant under section 4 shall ensure that, of the 
group of young people who receive the services and partici-
pate in the activities described in subsections (a) and (b) 
under the grant, not less than 75 percent of the group 
shall be disconnected youth as defined in section 3(2). 
(d) WAIVER
OF
MULTIPLE
SERVICE
REQUIRE-
MENT.—The Secretary may waive the requirement of sub-
section (a) regarding the provision of a comprehensive 
array of coordinated activities for an eligible entity receiv-
ing a grant under section 4 to permit not more than 25 
percent of the young people served by the eligible entity 
under the grant to receive only one or more services 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
among the allowable activities described in subsection (b) 
if the eligible entity determines that such young people 
only need one or more such services in order to— 
(1) attain a secondary school diploma; 
(2) attain a recognized postsecondary creden-
tial, including a 2-year or 4-year credential from an 
institution of higher education, an industry-recog-
nized credential, or certification from a registered 
apprenticeship program; and 
(3) secure and succeed in a family-supporting 
career. 
SEC. 9. PLANNING GRANTS AUTHORIZED. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award plan-
ning grants to eligible entities to develop the components 
of the application described in section 5, in order to allow 
eligible entities to become competitive for grants under 
section 4. 
(b) DURATION; AMOUNT.—Planning grants under 
this section shall be— 
(1) for a duration of not more than 6 months 
in an amount of not more than $50,000; or 
(2) for a duration of more than 6 months and 
not more than one year and in an amount of not 
more than $100,000. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(c) RECIPIENTS.—Recipients of grants under this 
section shall include— 
(1) eligible entities that applied for and did not 
receive a grant under section 4, and demonstrate the 
ability to submit a competitive application after ad-
ditional local planning; and 
(2) eligible entities that intend to apply for a 
grant under section 4 after undergoing a thorough 
planning process. 
SEC. 10. ACCOUNTABILITY, PERFORMANCE MEASURES, 
AND EVALUATION. 
(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to es-
tablish an accountability system, comprised of the activi-
ties described in this section, in order to— 
(1) assess the effectiveness of grants under sec-
tion 4 in helping disconnected youth— 
(A) attain a secondary school diploma; 
(B) attain a 2-year or 4-year credential 
from an institution of higher education, an in-
dustry-recognized credential, or certification 
from a registered apprenticeship program; and 
(C) secure and succeed in a family-sup-
porting career; 
(2) identify and disseminate effective practices 
to strengthen performance; and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(3) maximize the return on investment of Fed-
eral funds in activities assisted pursuant to a grant 
under section 4. 
(b) PERFORMANCE MEASURES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—For each eligible entity, per-
formance measures shall consist of the indicators of 
performance described in paragraph (2) and the 
level of performance described in paragraph (3). 
(2) INDICATORS OF PERFORMANCE.—The indi-
cators of performance referred to in paragraph (1) 
shall consist of the following: 
(A) INTERIM INDICATORS.— 
(i) YOUTH PARTICIPATION.—The par-
ticipation of young people in activities 
funded under section 4. 
(ii) YOUTH PROGRESS.—The progress 
of young people towards all of the fol-
lowing: 
(I) Attainment of a secondary 
school diploma or its recognized equiv-
alent. 
(II) Job readiness. 
(iii) YOUTH
ATTAINMENT.—The at-
tainment by young people of a secondary 
school diploma or its recognized equivalent. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(B) TRANSITIONAL INDICATORS.— 
(i) DIPLOMA, AND
ENTRANCE
INTO 
EDUCATION
OR
EMPLOYMENT.—The at-
tainment by young people of a secondary 
school diploma, and entrance into postsec-
ondary education or employment. 
(ii) CREDENTIAL.—The attainment by 
young people of one or more recognized 
postsecondary credentials, which may in-
clude a certificate, a license, a journey-sta-
tus card, or an associate degree or bacca-
laureate degree. 
(C) LONG TERM INDICATORS.— 
(i) EMPLOYMENT, DIPLOMA, AND CRE-
DENTIAL.—Employment of individuals who 
participated in activities funded under sec-
tion 4, attained a secondary school di-
ploma, and attained one or more recog-
nized credentials, which may include a cer-
tificate, license, journey-status card, or as-
sociate degree or baccalaureate degree. 
(ii) 
INITIAL
WAGE
OR
SALARY 
LEVEL.—The initial wage or salary level of 
individuals described in clause (i). 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(3) LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE.—For each indi-
cator of performance described in paragraph (2), the 
Secretary, in coordination with the eligible entity, 
shall determine a level of performance expressed in 
objective, quantifiable, and measurable form and in 
a way to show the progress of the eligible entity to-
ward continuously improving performance. 
(4) ELIGIBLE ENTITY MEASURES.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Each eligible entity 
that receives a grant under section 4 shall reach 
agreement with the Secretary on the levels of 
performance for the years covered by the grant. 
The levels of performance shall take into ac-
count the economic conditions of the area 
served, the characteristics of young people in 
the area, secondary school graduation rates, 
and the activities or services provided in the 
community served under the grant. 
(B) ADJUSTMENTS.—If unanticipated cir-
cumstances arise resulting in a significant 
change in the economic conditions of the area, 
the characteristics of young people in the area, 
secondary school graduation rates, or activities 
or services provided in the community served 
under the grant, then the eligible entity may re-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(B) the costs of the activities supported 
under the grant under section 4, including— 
(i) the type of cost, such as cash, per-
sonnel, equipment, supplies, or materials, 
or other cost; and 
(ii) the sources used to pay such 
costs, such as— 
(I) funding from other Federal, 
State, or local public programs; or 
(II) private sector or philan-
thropic contributions; and 
(iii) the dollar value of the resources 
leveraged to cover such costs and support 
the activities; 
(C) any fiscal and management account-
ability information required by the Secretary, 
which information shall use sound financial and 
management practices; 
(D) the characteristics and number of dis-
connected youth served by the services and ac-
tivities provided under the grant; and 
(E) the services and supports provided 
under the grant. 
(2) VALID AND RELIABLE INFORMATION.—In 
preparing the reports under this subsection, each eli-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(4) document the incremental progress of such 
young people over time on the outcomes measured 
under paragraph (3); 
(5) measure the return on investment resulting 
from the activities funded with grants under section 
4; and 
(6) begin as soon as practicable after the 
awarding of the grant or contract under this section 
and continue throughout the duration of the periods 
of the grants under section 4 so that the plans in-
cluded in the applications under section 5 may be in-
formed by, and conducive to, the evaluation. 
SEC. 11. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND BEST PRACTICES. 
The Secretary shall— 
(1) in consultation with the Federal Youth De-
velopment Council, the Coordinating Council on Ju-
venile Justice and Delinquency Prevention estab-
lished under section 206 of the Juvenile Justice and 
Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 
5616), the Shared Youth Vision, and other related 
agencies, disseminate best practices that emerge 
from the programs assisted under this Act in identi-
fying disconnected youth, and in implementing effec-
tive public and private strategies for preparing such 
young people to be successful students, workers, and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
citizens during and after implementation of the pro-
gram; and 
(2) provide, directly or through a grant or con-
tract with one or more nonprofit organizations se-
lected through a competitive process, training, tech-
nical assistance, and professional development for 
organizations serving disconnected youth, including 
organizations serving such disconnected youth that 
do not receive funding under this Act. 
SEC. 12. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to carry out this Act such sums as may be nec-
essary for each of the fiscal years 2011 through 2015. 
(b) ALLOCATION.—Of the amounts appropriated to 
carry out this section for each fiscal year, the Secretary 
shall use— 
(1) not less than 90 percent of such amount for 
grants to eligible entities under section 4 and section 
9; and 
(2) a total of not more than 10 percent of such 
amount for the evaluation under section 10(b) and 
the training, technical assistance, and dissemination 
of best practices under section 11. 
Æ 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:34 Jul 01, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H2358.IH
H2358
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS