Youth Empowerment Services (WIOA Program)

What is WIOA? 

Background

The WIOA Youth Grant was awarded to Mt. Diablo Unified School District in 2014 and has since operated as the Youth Empowerment Services (YES) Program. Our mission is to support and empower youth ages 16–24 living in Central Contra Costa County and Bay Point by helping them achieve their education and employment goals, guiding them toward postsecondary success, and connecting them to opportunities that lead to livable wages.

Who Qualifies for WIOA?

To qualify for WIOA, a youth must be between 16 and 24 years old. All youth must be eligible to work in the U.S. and provide proof of low income. 

Priority Populations
Our Priority Populations are: McKinney-Vento (HOPE), Foster Youth, and Justice-Involved Youth living in Bay Point and on the Monument Corridor.

Other eligible WIOA criteria include: Low Income, Pregnant/ Parenting, ELL, and IEP/504.

In school and out of school youth eligibility : A student’s status as In-School Youth (ISY) or Out-of-School Youth (OSY) is determined on the date they enroll in the program, when their participation is entered into the CalJOBS database. This status is determined individually at the time of enrollment.

What services do WIOA Youth receive? 

All WIOA youth are offered 14 required program elements designed to help eligible youth prepare for education, employment, and long-term success. These include: tutoring and dropout prevention; alternative secondary school services; paid and unpaid work experiences; occupational skills training; leadership development; supportive services; adult mentoring; follow-up services; comprehensive guidance and counseling; financial literacy education; entrepreneurial skills training; services for postsecondary preparation and transition; labor market and employment information; and education and training for workforce preparation. Together, these elements ensure youth have access to academic support, career exploration, skill-building, and wraparound services tailored to their individual needs.

Who case manages the WIOA Youth?

The MDUSD Work-Based Learning Coordinators are each assigned a WIOA Caseload. They support, connect, and empower youth to reach their full potential in both secondary and post-secondary education and employment. The Work-Based Learning Coordinators utilize a co-case management approach to supporting youth enrolled in the program, consisting of coordinated services within the school sites, district, and community to strategically support each youth. 

They serve as advocates and mentors to the youth they are supporting to help them get a High School Diploma or Equivalency, connect them to post-secondary, and/or employment. This can include, but is not limited to, participating: IEP meetings, home visits, team meetings, work experiences, court dates, and/or student/teacher meetings.

Refer a Youth! 

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