YouthBuild
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
Grant funds will be used to equip low-income youth with the education and employment skills necessary to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Program services include post-secondary education and training opportunities, including apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship; opportunities for meaningful work and service to their communities; and opportunities to develop employment and leadership skills and a commitment to community development. As part of their programming, YouthBuild grantees will partner with underserved youth to increase the supply of permanent affordable housing for homeless individuals and low-income families and to assist youth to develop the leadership, learning, and in-demand occupational skills needed to succeed in future careers.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Federally Recognized Tribal Government
- Nonprofit Organization
- Not-for-Profit Organization
Eligible applicants for these grants are public or private nonprofit agency or organization (including a consortium of such agencies or organizations), including: a community-based organization; a faith-based organization; an entity carrying out activities under this title, such as a local board; a community action agency; a State or local housing development agency; an Indian tribe or other agency primarily serving Indians; a community development corporation; a State or local youth service or conservation corps; and any other entity eligible to provide education or employment training under a Federal program other than YouthBuild.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Procedures for each project are specified in the funding opportunity announcement. Generally, the procedure is as follows: A technical review panel composed of staff from ETA program offices as well as peer reviewers evaluates eligible submitted applications. The panel prepares a report for the ETA Grant Officer identifying the weaknesses of the application and the cumulative rating. Once selections are made by the Grant Officer, an Award Notification is sent through the appropriate congressional channels for notification. After awardees are notified, the list of awardees is posted on the ETA Web site at www.doleta.gov/grants. If an application is rejected, a letter is sent to the applicant as notification that they were not selected as a recipient of the grant.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 120 to 180 days
Program details & compliance
Description
YouthBuild is a community-based pre-apprenticeship program that provides job training and educational opportunities for at-risk youth ages 16-24 who have previously dropped out of high school. Youth learn vocational skills in construction, as well as in other in-demand industries, including health care, information technology, and hospitality. Youth also provide community service through the required construction or rehabilitation of affordable housing for low-income or homeless families in their own neighborhoods. Youth split their time between the vocational training work site and the classroom, where they earn their high school diploma or equivalency degree, learn to be community leaders, and prepare for post-secondary training opportunities, including college, apprenticeships, and employment. YouthBuild includes significant support systems, such as a mentoring, assistance with child care and transportation, stipends, work experience, personal counseling services, and participation in community service and civic engagement.
Mission Categories
Primary: Vocational Education
Other categories:
Construction Rehabilitation
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
The funds must be used for: (A) Education and workforce investment activities including— (i) work experience and skills training (coordinated, to the maximum extent feasible, with pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship programs) in the activities described in subparagraphs (B) and (C) related to rehabilitation or construction, and, if approved by the Secretary, in additional in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the region in which the program operates; (ii) occupational skills training; (iii) other paid and unpaid work experiences, including internships and job shadowing; (iv) services and activities designed to meet the educational needs of participants, including— (I) basic skills instruction and remedial education; (II) language instruction educational programs for participants who are English language learners; (III) secondary education services and activities, including tutoring, study skills training, and school dropout prevention and recovery activities, designed to lead to the attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent (including recognized certificates of attendance or similar documents for individuals with disabilities); (IV) counseling and assistance in obtaining postsecondary education and required financial aid; and (V) alternative secondary school services; (v) counseling services and related activities, such as comprehensive guidance and counseling on drug and alcohol abuse and referral; (vi) activities designed to develop employment and leadership skills, which may include community service and peer-centered activities encouraging responsibility and other positive social behaviors, and activities related to youth policy committees that participate in decision-making related to the program; (vii) supportive services and provision of need-based stipends necessary to enable individuals to participate in the program and to assist individuals, for a period not to exceed 12 months after the completion of training, in obtaining or retaining employment, or applying for and transitioning to postsecondary education or training; and (viii) job search and assistance. (B) Supervision and training for participants in the rehabilitation or construction of housing, including residential housing for homeless individuals or low-income families, or transitional housing for homeless individuals, and, if approved by the Secretary, in additional in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the region in which the program operates. (C) Supervision and training for participants— (i) in the rehabilitation or construction of community and other public facilities, except that not more than 15 percent of funds appropriated to carry out this section may be used for such supervision and training; and (ii) if approved by the Secretary, in additional in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the region in which the program operates. (D) Payment of administrative costs of the applicant, including recruitment and selection of participants, except that not more than 10 percent of the amount of assistance provided under this subsection to the grant recipient may be used for such costs. (E) Adult mentoring. (F) Provision of wages, stipends, or benefits to participants in the program. (G) Ongoing training and technical assistance that are related to developing and carrying out the program. (H) Follow-up services.
Required Documentation
Grantees must demonstrate adequate organizational capacity to implement a YouthBuild program which includes a description of the type of educational or occupational skills credential(s) that will be gained through participating in the program. Additionally, grantees must provide evidence of the capacity to track and report required performance outcomes and must demonstrate successful past performance with a YouthBuild grant or other similar youth-serving program.
Matching Requirements
Funded programs are required to provide matching funds of 25% toward the grant award amount.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements