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Youth Services Discretionary Grants

Discretionary grants are aimed at specific populations of at-risk youth, such as young offenders, youth living in high-poverty areas, and foster youth. 


YouthBuild
The Department of Labor has administered the YouthBuild program since September 2006. The YouthBuild program is administered by the Employment and Training Administrations Office of Workforce Investment, Division of Youth Services.

YouthBuild provides job training and educational opportunities for at-risk youth ages 16-24 while constructing or rehabilitating affordable housing for low-income or homeless families in their own neighborhoods. Youth split their time between the construction site and the classroom, where they earn their GED or high school diploma, learn to be community leaders, and prepare for college and other postsecondary training opportunities. YouthBuild includes significant support systems, such as a mentoring, follow-up education, employment, and personal counseling services; and participation in community service and civic engagement. There are over 220 DOL funded YouthBuild programs in 43 states serving over 6000 youth per year.



The Reintegration of Ex-Offenders - Adult Program (RExO), formerly known as the Prisoner Reentry Initiative (PRI)
In November 2005, the U.S. Department of Labor awarded 30 grants totaling $19.8 million to faith and community-based organizations in 20 states to assist non-violent ex-offenders returning to their local communities. These grants are designed to serve urban centers and areas of greatest need. The Reintegration of Ex-Offenders (RExO) is a collaboration of the Departments of Labor, Justice, Health and Human Services, and Housing and Urban Development. The Department of Justice awarded RExO grants in the 20 states where the Department of Labor RExO grants are located to conduct pre-release services for program participants.

Click here to view Generation I and II grant recipients


High Growth Youth Offender Initiative
The High Growth Youth Offender Initiative provides occupational training, on-the-job training, apprenticeships, internships, and other work-based learning to help former offenders gain the skills necessary to enter high-growth high-demand industries.  Projects will focus on addressing the workforce needs of growing industries that provide employment opportunities and potential for advancement. 
No new funding is currently available.


School District Youth Offender Initiative
Building School District-Based Strategies For Reducing Youth Involvement In Gangs And Violent Crime Through A Workforce Development Approach: In 2007, The U.S. Department of Labor awarded five School Districts $4.8 million to develop strategies for reducing youth involvement in gangs using a workforce development approach. The school districts Baltimore, Philadelphia, Chicago, Milwaukee, and Orange County, Florida were the five district recipients of this grant.

This initiative is aimed at assisting public school districts reduce the involvement of youth in gangs and violent crime. Grant funds can be used for a variety of educational and employment interventions for youth who are involved, have been involved, or are at high risk of involvement in gangs or the juvenile justice system. Both in-school youth in grades eight through twelve and school dropouts up to the age of 21 can be served under these grants. Programs funded under this grant are meant to supplement overall dropout prevention efforts by the school district and gang reduction efforts in the city. Required partners include the local juvenile justice system, the mayor’s office, the local workforce investment board, the police department, and the U.S. Attorney’s office.


Categorical Grants: Youth Offender Registered Apprenticeship, Alternative Education, Project Expansion Grants
In the fall 2007, The Department of Labor awarded 16 organizations grants for career training, alternative education and apprenticeships. Youth and young adults adjudicated by or at-risk of facing the justice system were eligible to receive training under these grants which totaled $20 million.


Newark
In September 2008, The Department of Labor awarded $2 million to Newark, N.J., to expand the Reintegration of Ex-Offenders - Adult Program (RExO), formerly known as the Prisoner Reentry Initiative (PRI), across the city.

More than 1,200 individuals will be served. The expertise and resources of the state, the Nicholson Foundation, the Manhattan Institute, and local faith-based and community organizations will play major roles. The project will complement existing services, such as the city's Opportunity Reconnect and the state's Another Chance re-entry programs. Specifically, this grant will create five access points housed in local faith-based and community groups that will serve as the "front door" for re-entry and be networked with a host of public and private services already available to ex-offenders.

Beneficiary-Choice Contracting Program
The U.S. Department of Labor awarded $5 million to five grantees who will assist ex-offenders ages 18 to 29 with transitioning from prison to the workplace. Participants will be able to choose service providers from pools of faith-based and community groups, thereby encouraging them to take personal ownership in choosing the services they believe best fit their needs. The grantees receiving $1 million each are: Arizona Women's Education and Employment Inc. of Phoenix;Colorado's Department of Labor and Employment; the City of Chicago; the Indianapolis Private Industry Council Inc.; and the Director's Council of Des Moines, Iowa.


Persistently Dangerous Schools
In June 2008, The U.S. Department of Labor announced awards totaling $49.5 million in a limited competition to enhance education and career opportunities in troubled high schools. Six school districts were eligible to apply based on being self identified as “persistently dangerous” by the U.S. Department of Education due to high levels of persistently high levels of violence. Based on these criteria, three school districts were awarded grant funds: Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York State’s Berkshire Union Free State District.

Projects will enlist community-based organizations in providing mentoring services to students. The goals are to decrease dropout rates, reduce school violence, and improve overall student behavior and performance. Schools receiving funding will implement programs that expand educational and employment opportunities. Through partnerships with the private sector in their regions, schools will place students in paid internships that provide participants with on-the-job experience.


ETA Funding Opportunities
For additional information on ETA funding opportunities, visit Grants & Contracts.