Located in:
- Program-specific Requirements for Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Activities under Title I-B
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include the following with respect to activities carried out under subtitle B—
- c. Youth Program Requirements.
With respect to youth workforce investment activities authorized in section 129 of WIOA, States should describe their strategies that will support the implementation of youth activities under WIOA. State’s must-
- c. Youth Program Requirements.
c. 3. Describe how the State assists local workforce boards in implementing innovative models for delivering youth workforce investment activities, including effective ways local workforce boards can make available the 14 program elements described in WIOA section 129(c)(2); and explain how local areas can ensure work experience, including quality pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship, is prioritized as a key element within a broader career pathways strategy.
Current Narrative:
Local boards and their youth committees in Colorado are expected to make all 14 youth program elements available within their one-stop centers, either by delivering the program element themselves or through a competitive process established under local procurement policies that are as strict, or stricter, than federal procurement standards in the OMB Uniform Guidance. Local boards and their youth committees (as well as the state) will maintain a list of providers of these services, which case managers can utilize to ensure that youth participants have ready access to the services needed to successfully achieve the objectives of their individual service strategies. In addition, local boards and their youth committees will require that the local area administrator review the effectiveness of program element providers and provide data necessary to determine whether providers will remain on the youth element provider list. Local boards are required to update their lists annually and submit the list to the state to be published on CDLE’s website.
Colorado Policy Guidance Letter FIN-2016-02, Eligible Providers of WIOA Title I Youth Program Elements,provides guidance to Local Workforce Development Boards and Local Areas on the identification and selection process for providers of the 14 Title I Youth program elements to ensure compliance with federal requirements under WIOA. This policy defines pre- apprenticeship on p. 6 using the criteria for quality established in TEGL 21-16. It also assists local areas in determining whether to contract for services or to provide some or all of the program elements directly.
Colorado Policy Guidance Letter WIOA-2018-02: WIOA Title I Work Experiences provides comprehensive guidance to local areas on the use of work experiences as a key strategy in serving both youth and adults. The youth guidance includes information on pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships as important work experiences options. It also includes detailed guidance on meeting the 20% youth work experience expenditure requirement, which CDLE monitors on an annual basis. In addition, Colorado is seeking a waiver allowing TANF funds spent on work experiences for co-enrolled youth to count for the 20% requirement. This waiver is intended to encourage an increase in work experience opportunities for youth participants, as one of the key “on ramps” to a variety of career pathways.