Florida PYs 2016-2017 Published

Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Activities

Section Published
Located in:

c. 2. Describe the Strategies the State Will Use to Achieve Improved Outcomes for Out-of-school Youth as Described in 129(a)(1)(b), Including How it Will Leverage and Align the Core Programs, and Combined State Plan Partner Programs Included in This Plan, Required and Optional One-stop Partner Programs, and Any Other Resources Available.

Current Narrative:

Florida will use the WIOA Interagency Implementation Team to focus on developing strategies to improve outcomes for out-of-school youth. CareerSource Florida and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, in collaboration with the WIOA Interagency Implementation Team that includes the state’s other core partners, will evaluate existing service delivery strategies across core program partners and formulate recommendations to:

  • Inform State youth program policy development; and
  • Facilitate cross-program coordination opportunities with Core Program partners; and
  • Promote replication of existing effective out-of-school youth program strategies; and
  • Leverage other partner program funding to support improved out-of-school youth outcomes.

CareerSource Florida (the state board) and the Department of Economic Opportunity have an established Policy and Performance Team that meets monthly. Florida will use this team to conduct the review of the youth program policy needs. As a part of this process, Vocational Rehabilitation, Adult Education, Apprenticeship, and other partner programs are consulted and invited to participate.

Strategies to improve out-of-school youth outcomes already are underway in Florida. The CareerSource Florida network of career centers and adult education programs work collaboratively in the local areas to offer assessment and instructional services on-site (as available), provide workforce staff the opportunity to participate in TABE and Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System trainings and to make workforce resources and information available at adult education facilities.

In 2016, the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), CareerSource Florida (CSF), and the Department of Education (DOE) came together to apply for funding to develop an innovative and sustaining public-private partnership involving employers, industry organizations, Registered Apprenticeship (RA) sponsors, state and local workforce development systems, secondary and post-secondary institutions, and non-profit agencies to address Florida’s critical inclusivity need for skilled demographically diverse workers in high demand occupation growth industries. The partnership is focused on high growth, high demand, and non-traditional industries/sectors and will increase work-based learning opportunities for out-of-school youth.

Additionally, Florida continues to promote opportunities for disadvantaged and disconnected youth through the TANF and WIOA summer youth employment program. Each year, the State encourages the local workforce development boards to create opportunities for TANF recipients to participate in employment programs that offer services such as, career assessments, career exploration, soft skills training and work experiences with employers. These services significantly increase the number of opportunities to recruit and provide services to out-of-school youth while aligning and leveraging available program services. The State will continue to promote and expand partnerships between TANF and the workforce.

CareerSource Palm Beach’s Youth Program is an example of how the local workforce development boards are serving out-of-school youth. CareerSource Palm Beach County offers a comprehensive youth program that includes a five-week work readiness class (resume building, mandatory job searches, community service projects, college tours, mock interviews, financial literacy training, and career exploration), paid internships, unsubsidized employment, and post-secondary education. Employers are engaged in the program and have a vital role in exposing youth to more training opportunities in various industries in Palm Beach County.

CareerSource Palm Beach offers an innovative summer hospitality program for young adults. This program is designed to empower participants to develop soft skills, work maturity, and occupational skills needed to successfully transition into work within the hospitality industry. This five-week program is open to eligible Palm Beach County residents between the ages of 17 to 24 and who are not attending school. The program includes team building activities, tours, guest speakers, and job shadowing at local hotels/country clubs. Participants also prepare for and complete certification exams for nationally recognized credentials from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute.