Youth Corps Act of 2021
Bill: H.R.854 | Sponsor: Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. (D-FL)
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
Youth Corps Act of 2021
This bill authorizes the Department of Labor to make grants to public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations to carry out Youth Corps programs that utilize the Youth Corps model to provide low-income youth (age 16 and not more than age 24) with education and work readiness training.
The term Youth Corps model means a youth education and training program for which an eligible entity provides eligible youth with stipended or paid work experience and basic and technical skills training leading to (1) enrollment in postsecondary education or training, (2) attainment of an industry-recognized certification or credential, (3) meaningful employment in the economy of the 21st century, or (4) military service.

To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to provide for 
    the establishment of Youth Corps programs and provide for wider 
                dissemination of the Youth Corps model.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Youth Corps Act of 2021''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Nationally, there are an estimated 5,500,000 youth, 
        ages 16 through 24, out-of-school and out-of-work, with an 
        additional over 500,000 young people dropping out of school 
        each year. At present, the unemployment rate for youth ages 16 
        through 24 is approximately 17 percent. For youth who are in 
        low-income or minority communities, or who have disabilities, 
        this rate is significantly higher.
            (2) Youth Service and Conservation Corps programs, 
        descended from the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s, 
        have been preparing disadvantaged and disconnected youth for 
        careers in resource conservation, environmental restoration, 
        land management, building renovation and weatherization, 
        education, human services, health care, homeland security, and 
        disaster relief for over 4 decades. To date, nearly a million 
        young people have found a new start through a Youth Service and 
        Conservation Corps program.
            (3) Today, over 125 Youth Service and Conservation Corps 
        programs are being carried out in 50 States and the District of 
        Columbia, and employing a research-driven strategy, called the 
        Youth Corps model, to reengage and provide educational and 
        economic opportunity to around 30,000 young people each year. 
        These Corps members participate in 13.5 million hours of 
        community service annually.
            (4) According to a recent study by the Corporation for 
        National and Community Service, participating in service 
        increases your likelihood of finding employment by 27 percent. 
        When limited to individuals living in rural areas or without a 
        high school diploma, the increase in likelihood of gaining 
        employment jumps to 55 percent and 51 percent, respectively.
            (5) Due to the many benefits and positive outcomes, not 
        only for program participants but also for the communities in 
        which they serve, the Youth Corps model is a proven strategy 
        for reengaging disconnected youth in education and the 
        workforce, while improving communities and the environment.

SEC. 3. YOUTH CORPS PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--Subtitle D of title I of the Workforce Innovation 
and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3221 et seq.) is amended by inserting 
after section 171 (29 U.S.C. 3226) the following new section:

``SEC. 171A. YOUTH CORPS PROGRAMS.

    ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to utilize service, 
environmental stewardship, and the Youth Corps model to educate and 
train the next generation of workers to enable them to find meaningful 
employment in the economy of the 21st century, and instill in them a 
sense of civic engagement and environmental stewardship.
    ``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a 
        public or private nonprofit agency or organization (including a 
        consortium of such agencies or organizations), including--
                    ``(A) a community-based organization;
                    ``(B) a faith-based organization;
                    ``(C) a community action agency;
                    ``(D) a community development corporation;
                    ``(E) an entity carrying out activities under this 
                title, such as a local board;
                    ``(F) an Indian tribe or other agency primarily 
                serving Indians;
                    ``(G) a public or private institution of higher 
                education;
                    ``(H) a State or unit of general local government; 
                or
                    ``(I) a State or local youth service or 
                conservation corps.
            ``(2) Eligible youth.--Notwithstanding section 3, the term 
        `eligible youth' means an individual eligible to participate in 
        a Youth Corps program in accordance with subsection (d).
            ``(3) Indian; indian tribe.--The terms `Indian' and `Indian 
        tribe' have the meanings given the terms in section 166(b).
            ``(4) Participant.--The term `participant' includes a 
        recipient of services under paragraph (5)(F).
            ``(5) Youth corps model.--The term `Youth Corps model' 
        means a model for a youth education and training program for 
        which an eligible entity--
                    ``(A) provides eligible youth with stipended or 
                paid work experience, and basic and technical skills 
                training leading, at a minimum, to an outcome 
                consisting of--
                            ``(i) enrollment in postsecondary education 
                        or training;
                            ``(ii) attainment of an industry-recognized 
                        certification or credential;
                            ``(iii) meaningful employment in the 
                        economy of the 21st century; or
                            ``(iv) military service;
                    ``(B) provides eligible youth with opportunities 
                for educational advancement, including the attainment 
                of a secondary school diploma or its recognized 
                equivalent, or other State-recognized credential;
                    ``(C) engages eligible youth to work, in teams or 
                crews under the leadership of adult mentors and 
                trainers, on service and conservation projects designed 
                to improve the communities in which the youth live and 
                the environment;
                    ``(D) works with youth- and family-serving systems, 
                such as child welfare and justice systems, to provide 
                and coordinate supportive services for education and 
                training program participants;
                    ``(E) works with program partners in the local 
                workforce investment system, institutions of higher 
                education, or other community-based organizations to 
                develop pathways to subsequent enrollment in education 
                or training, attainment of an industry-recognized 
                certification or credential, meaningful employment, or 
                service as described in subparagraph (A); and
                    ``(F) provides 12 months of followup services and 
                tracking for the program graduates.
    ``(c) Youth Corps Grants.--
            ``(1) Amounts of grants.--The Secretary is authorized to 
        make grants to eligible entities for the purpose of carrying 
        out Youth Corps programs approved under this section.
            ``(2) Term of grants.--The Secretary is authorized to make 
        the grants for terms of up to 3 years in length, and is 
        authorized to renew the grants.
            ``(3) Eligible activities.--An entity that receives a grant 
        under this subsection--
                    ``(A) shall use the funds made available through 
                the grant to carry out a Youth Corps program that 
                utilizes the Youth Corps model to provide to the 
                participants, prior to graduation from the program--
                            ``(i) education, which may include--
                                    ``(I) basic instruction and 
                                remedial education;
                                    ``(II) language instruction for 
                                individuals with limited English 
                                proficiency;
                                    ``(III) secondary education 
                                services and activities, including 
                                dropout prevention, tutoring, and other 
                                activities, that--
                                            ``(aa) are designed to lead 
                                        to the attainment of a 
                                        secondary school diploma or its 
                                        recognized equivalent, or other 
                                        State-recognized credential 
                                        (including a credential for 
                                        meeting recognized alternative 
                                        standards for individuals with 
                                        disabilities); and
                                            ``(bb) are delivered in 
                                        conjunction with project-based 
                                        service-learning to the maximum 
                                        degree practicable; and
                                    ``(IV) preparation for and access 
                                to postsecondary education 
                                opportunities, including counseling and 
                                assistance with applying for student 
                                financial aid;
                            ``(ii) work readiness training, which may 
                        include--
                                    ``(I) development of basic skills, 
                                such as--
                                            ``(aa) arriving on time to 
                                        work;
                                            ``(bb) being prepared to 
                                        work;
                                            ``(cc) following 
                                        directions;
                                            ``(dd) working 
                                        independently;
                                            ``(ee) working with others;
                                            ``(ff) working safely; and
                                            ``(gg) demonstrating a 
                                        commitment to produce high-
                                        quality work;
                                    ``(II) development of job-specific 
                                occupational skills and on-the-job 
                                training;
                                    ``(III) stipended or paid work 
                                experience that provides participants 
                                with insights into the professional 
                                work environment;
                                    ``(IV) activities designed to lead 
                                to--
                                            ``(aa) the attainment of an 
                                        industry-recognized 
                                        certification or credential; or
                                            ``(bb) meaningful 
                                        employment in the economy of 
                                        the 21st century;
                                    ``(V) career counseling and job 
                                search assistance; and
                                    ``(VI) provision of a job developer 
                                to cultivate relationships with local 
                                employers to hire program graduates;
                            ``(iii) supportive services, which may 
                        include--
                                    ``(I) needs-related payments;
                                    ``(II) health care, including 
                                mental health care such as drug and 
                                alcohol abuse counseling;
                                    ``(III) child care; and
                                    ``(IV) transportation;
                            ``(iv) provision of wages, stipends, or 
                        benefits;
                            ``(v) development and monitoring of 
                        individual education and career plans;
                            ``(vi) service and conservation projects, 
                        designed to develop civic engagement and 
                        environmental stewardship;
                            ``(vii) supervision and training on those 
                        projects; and
                            ``(viii) adult mentoring;
                    ``(B) shall use the funds made available through 
                the grant, in carrying out the Youth Corps program, to 
                provide followup services and tracking for program 
                graduates; and
                    ``(C) may use the funds made available through the 
                grant for--
                            ``(i) ongoing training and technical 
                        assistance that is related to the development, 
                        implementation, and sustainability of the 
                        program; and
                            ``(ii) payment of administrative expenses.
            ``(4) Application.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In order to be qualified to 
                receive a grant for a program under this subsection, an 
                eligible entity shall submit an application at such 
                time, in such manner, and containing such information 
                as the Secretary may require.
                    ``(B) Minimum requirements.--The Secretary shall 
                require that the application contain, at a minimum--
                            ``(i) a request for the grant, specifying 
                        the amount of the grant requested and the 
                        proposed uses for the grant funds;
                            ``(ii) a description of the applicant and a 
                        statement of its qualifications, including a 
                        description of the applicant's--
                                    ``(I) past experience with youth 
                                education and training programs; and
                                    ``(II) relationships with local 
                                boards, one-stop operators and one-stop 
                                partners, local labor organizations, 
                                entities carrying out registered 
                                apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship 
                                programs, employers, institutions of 
                                higher education, and other community-
                                based organizations who are proposed as 
                                members of the program partnership;
                            ``(iii) a description of the educational 
                        and work readiness training activities 
                        (including paid work opportunities), secondary 
                        education, preparation for and access to 
                        postsecondary education and training 
                        opportunities, and other services that will be 
                        provided to participants, and how those 
                        activities, opportunities, and services will 
                        prepare eligible youth for an outcome described 
                        in subsection (b)(5)(A), and instill in them a 
                        sense of civic engagement and environmental 
                        stewardship;
                            ``(iv) a description of the proposed 
                        service and conservation projects to be 
                        undertaken under the grant, how the project 
                        activities will improve the affected community 
                        or environment, and the anticipated schedule 
                        for carrying out such activities;
                            ``(v) a description of the manner in which 
                        eligible youth will be recruited and selected 
                        as participants, including a description of any 
                        coordination with local boards, one-stop 
                        operators and one-stop partners, community-
                        based organizations, faith-based organizations, 
                        State educational agencies (as defined in 
                        section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
                        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)) or 
                        local educational agencies (including agencies 
                        of Indian tribes), public assistance agencies, 
                        local courts, probation and parole offices, the 
                        justice system, agencies serving homeless 
                        youth, foster care agencies, the Armed Forces, 
                        and other appropriate public and private 
                        agencies;
                            ``(vi) a description of how the proposed 
                        program will be coordinated with other Federal, 
                        State, and local activities and activities 
                        conducted by Indian tribes, such as local 
                        workforce investment activities, career and 
                        technical education programs, programs of adult 
                        education and literary activities, activities 
                        conducted by public schools, activities 
                        conducted by community colleges, national and 
                        community service programs, and other non-
                        school-based education or training provided 
                        with funds available under this title;
                            ``(vii) a description of results to be 
                        achieved with respect to performance indicators 
                        described in subsection (e);
                            ``(viii) a detailed budget and a 
                        description of the system of fiscal controls, 
                        and auditing and accountability procedures, 
                        that will be used to ensure fiscal soundness 
                        for the proposed program; and
                            ``(ix) a description of the commitments of 
                        any additional resources (in addition to the 
                        grant funds) by the applicant or any program 
                        partners.
            ``(5) Selection criteria.--For an applicant to be eligible 
        to receive a grant under this subsection, the applicant and the 
        applicant's proposed program shall meet such selection criteria 
        as the Secretary shall establish under this section, which 
        shall include criteria relating to--
                    ``(A) the qualifications or potential capabilities 
                of an applicant;
                    ``(B) an applicant's potential for developing and 
                implementing a successful education and training 
                program utilizing the Youth Corps model;
                    ``(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);
                    ``(D) the need for the applicant's proposed service 
                and conservation projects by the affected community or 
                environmental area;
                    ``(E) the ability of an applicant to provide the 
                education, training, and other services described in 
                paragraph (3) that are necessary to prepare 
                participants for an outcome described in subsection 
                (b)(5)(A);
                    ``(F) the extent of an applicant's ability to 
                coordinate and partner with local boards, one-stop 
                operators and one-stop partners, local labor 
                organizations, entities carrying out registered 
                apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, 
                employers, institutions of higher education, and other 
                community-based organizations who are proposed as 
                members of the program partnership to provide 
                participants with an outcome described in subsection 
                (b)(5)(A);
                    ``(G) the extent of the applicant's coordination of 
                activities with entities carrying out public education, 
                criminal justice, housing and community development, 
                national and community service, postsecondary 
                education, or other systems that relate to the goals of 
                the proposed program;
                    ``(H) the extent of the commitment of additional 
                resources (in addition to the grant funds) to the 
                proposed program by the applicant or any program 
                partners; and
                    ``(I) such other factors as the Secretary 
                determines to be appropriate for purposes of carrying 
                out the proposed program in an effective and efficient 
                manner.
    ``(d) Additional Program Requirements.--
            ``(1) Eligible individuals.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding section 101, for 
                purposes of this section an individual shall be 
                eligible to participate in a Youth Corps program only 
                if such individual is--
                            ``(i)(I) not less than age 16 and not more 
                        than age 24, on the date of enrollment; and
                            ``(II)(aa) a low-income individual, a youth 
                        in foster care (including youth aging out of 
                        foster care), a formerly incarcerated or court-
                        involved youth, a child of an incarcerated 
                        parent, a youth who is an individual with a 
                        disability, or a migrant youth; or
                            ``(bb) a school dropout; or
                            ``(ii) eligible to participate under 
                        subparagraph (B).
                    ``(B) Exception for individuals not meeting income 
                or educational need requirements.--Not more than 25 
                percent of the individuals selected to be participants 
                in such program may be individuals who do not meet the 
                requirements of subclause (II) of subparagraph (A)(i).
                    ``(C) Participants.--For purposes of Federal law, 
                participants in a Youth Corps program under this 
                section shall be considered participants of the program 
                rather than employees of the program.
            ``(2) Participation limitation.--An eligible individual 
        selected for participation in a Youth Corps program under this 
        section shall be offered full-time participation in the program 
        for a period of not less than 6 months and not more than 24 
        months.
    ``(e) Performance Indicators.--Recipients of grants for programs 
under subsection (c) shall report annually to the Secretary concerning 
the following performance indicators:
            ``(1) Program enrollment rates.
            ``(2) Program attendance rates.
            ``(3) Attainment of a diploma, equivalent, or credential 
        described in subsection (c)(3)(A)(i)(III).
            ``(4) Rates of program completion, including early release 
        for meaningful employment in the economy of the 21st century.
            ``(5) Rates of outcomes described in subsection (b)(5)(A) 
        for program graduates.
            ``(6) Wages of program graduates.
            ``(7) Post-program employment retention rates.
            ``(8) Such other performance indicators as may be 
        reasonably required by the Secretary.
    ``(f) Management and Technical Assistance.--
            ``(1) Secretary assistance.--The Secretary may enter into 
        contracts or cooperative agreements with or make grants to 1 or 
        more entities to provide assistance to the Secretary in the 
        management, supervision, and coordination of the program 
        carried out under this section.
            ``(2) Technical assistance.--
                    ``(A) Contracts, cooperative agreements, and 
                grants.--The Secretary shall enter into contracts or 
                cooperative agreements with or make grants to 1 or more 
                qualified national nonprofit organizations with a 
                demonstrated record of experience with and achievement 
                in developing and implementing the Youth Corps model, 
                in order to provide training, information, and 
                technical assistance to recipients of grants under 
                subsection (c).
                    ``(B) Reservation of funds.--Of the amounts 
                available under section 172(g) to carry out this 
                section for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve 
                5 percent to carry out subparagraph (A).
            ``(3) Evaluation.--
                    ``(A) Contracts, cooperative agreements, and 
                grants.--The Secretary shall enter into contracts or 
                cooperative agreements with or make grants to 1 or more 
                qualified national nonprofit organizations with a 
                demonstrated record of experience with and achievement 
                in developing and implementing the Youth Corps model, 
                for the purpose of conducting data collection and 
                evaluation.
                    ``(B) Reservation of funds.--Of the amounts 
                available under section 172(g) to carry out this 
                section for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve 
                1 percent to carry out subparagraph (A).
            ``(4) Capacity building grants.--For each fiscal year, the 
        Secretary may use not more than 3 percent of the amounts 
        available under section 172(g) to award grants to 1 or more 
        qualified national nonprofit organizations to pay for the 
        Federal share of the cost of providing capacity building 
        activities for recipients of grants under subsection (c).''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of 
the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 171 the following:

``Sec. 171A. Youth Corps programs.''.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 172 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 
U.S.C. 3227) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out section 171A such sums as may be necessary 
for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2027.''.
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