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by David Hoff

Among the funds available from the Workforce Investment Act are funds targeted to youth, ages 14-21 (14-24 for funds available from the federal economic stimulus package, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ARRA). The purpose of this publication is to provide an overview of WIA Youth Services and the role these services can play for young people with disabilities, including a discussion of how people with disabilities have a high degree of eligibility for these services. These funds are used to assist young people in career and educational development who are in school as well as out of school. The types of services funded are after-school services and summer employment programs, as well as training and youth development programs for young people who have left school. At least 30% of funds must be used for out-of -school youth.

Funds for youth services are primarily administered by Local Workforce Investment Boards (LWIBs). LWIBs have some discretion regarding how funds are utilized, with funds typically distributed via a competitive grant process to area youth service providers.

What are the eligibility criteria for youth services?

Per the Workforce Investment Act, a young people must meet the following criteria to be eligible for Youth Services:

• A. Be age 14 to 21 (14 to 24 for funds from ARRA)
• B. Be a low income individual
• C. Fall within one or more of the following categories:
• 1. Deficient in basic literacy skills
• 2. School dropout
• 3. Homeless, runaway or foster child
• 4. Pregnant or parenting
• 5. Offender
• 6. Be an individual (including a youth with a disability) who requires additional assistance to complete an educational program, or to secure and hold employment.

What changes in criteria are being used for funds being provided via the federal economic stimulus package?

For WIA Youth funds being provided as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, as noted, the age of eligibility has been increased from 21 to 24. Additionally, for young people served via ARRA funds for summer employment, the performance requirements and service requirements have been made more flexible.

How is low income defined?

WIA uses a standard known as the Lower Living Standard Income Level (LLSIL) to generally determine income eligibility. Earnings less than 70% of the LLSIL meet the definition of "low income individual". In cases where the income national poverty guideline figure is higher, that figure is used instead. The following are the 2008 figures for Massachusetts. The 2009 figures will be available sometime in Spring 2009.

FAMILY SIZE	Boston Metropolitan Area	Outside Boston Metropolitan Area
1	$10,400	$10,400
2	$16,879	$ 15,469
3	$ 23,176	$ 21,231
4	$ 28,605	$ 26,208
5	$ 33,758	$ 30,932
6	$ 39,476	$ 36,170

Are there ways that young people with disabilities have increased eligibility for youth services?

Youth with disabilities are considered eligible for youth services under the same criteria as all other individuals. However, the WIA regulations specifically point out additional ways that youth with disabilities may qualify:

• As noted previously, low-income youth with disabilities needing additional assistance to complete an educational program, or to secure and hold employment are specifically mentioned in the WIA regulations as eligible for youth services.
• While for most young people, the family's income is used to determine income eligibility, youth with a disability are considered a family of 1 (i.e., only the youth's income, not their family's income, is considered in determining whether the youth meets income criteria).
• Any youth who is meets the income eligibility criteria for receiving cash payments under any Federal, State or local public assistance program (such as SSI benefits from Social Security), is eligible for youth services.
• Up to 5% of participants in youth programs do not have to meet income criteria, as long as they are from specific populations. Youth with disabilities are among those eligible for this 5% exception.

The bottom line: given these various criteria, youth with disabilities are eligible for youth services at a much higher rate than other young people.

What types of activities are available under WIA Youth Services?

Per the Workforce Investment Act, the following are the types of services that are to be provided to youth:

• 1. Tutoring, study skills training, and instruction leading to secondary school completion, including dropout prevention strategies
• 2. Alternative secondary school offerings
• 3. Summer employment opportunities directly linked to academic and occupational learning
• 4. Paid and unpaid work experiences, including internships and job shadowing
• 5. Occupational skill training;
• 6. Leadership development opportunities, including such activities as positive social behavior and soft skills, decision making, team work, and other activities
• 7. Supportive services
• 8. Adult mentoring for a duration of at least twelve (12) months, that may occur both during and after program participation;
• 9. Follow-up services
• 10. Comprehensive guidance and counseling, including drug and alcohol abuse counseling, as well as referrals to counseling, as appropriate to the needs of the individual youth.

Local programs have the discretion to determine what specific program services will be provided to a youth participant, based on each participant's objective assessment and individual service strategy.

How is disability defined?

The definition of disability that applies to services provided under the Workforce Investment Act, is the Americans with Disabilities Act definition: an individual with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; a record of such an impairment; or regarded as having an impairment. (Source: Section 188 of WIA and implementing regulations - 29 CFR Part 37)

What documentation is required to determine if an individual has a disability?

The following documentation may be used to determine that an individual has a disability

1. Letter from Drug or Alcohol Rehabilitation Agency
2. Letter from Child Study Team Stating Specific Eligibility
3. Medical Records
4. Observable Condition
5. Physician Statement
6. Psychiatrist's/Psychologist's Diagnosis
7. Rehabilitation Evaluation
8. School Records
9. Sheltered Workshop Certification
10. Social Service Records\Referral
11. Social Security Administration Disability or Veterans Admin. Records
12. Vocational Rehabilitation Letter
13. Workers Compensation Record

 (MassWorkforce Issuance No 08-46, Attachment F, October 24, 2008)

Supporting Individuals with Disabilities in Youth Programs

Many young people with disabilities can succeed in WIA Youth Programs without any type of additional assistance and support, and in fact, WIA data analysis has clearly indicated that young people with disabilities meet the WIA performance requirements at least at the same rate as young people without disabilities. In some cases though, outside assistance may be useful, to ensure that the young person full benefits from the program. Assistance may include a wide variety of roles, including: identification and arrangement of accommodations; providing additional guidance and instruction regarding program activities; providing on-the-job support when an individual is placed in a job; etc. Sources of external support may include local disability service providers, resources from the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC), Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB), ‘and other public disability agencies'. If a student has not yet graduated, and is covered under an Individual Education Plan (IEP), the school may also be a source of support and assistance. The Disability Program Navigator assigned to the workforce region should be able to assist with identifying support resources for young people who need them.

Disability Agencies and Providers: Linking with WIA Youth Services

Disability agencies and service providers working with young people should consider exploring opportunities available via WIA Youth Programs, and options for collaboration. WIA Youth Services can provide opportunities for young people with disabilities to increase their skills and abilities, and gain work experience, with the disability agency assisting in a support role. This support can help to ensure that the young person achieves the required WIA performance outcomes, while at the same time helping the disability service provider achieve its goal of helping to prepare the young person for a successful career. Further information on WIA youth programs can be obtained by contacting the staff person responsible for youth services at your Local Workforce Investment Board. A listing of the 16 Massachusetts LWIBs can be found at http://www.massworkforce.com/. To find out what this means nationally, download the article Increased Opportunities for Young People with DisabilitiesTo Access WIA Youth Services under Economic Stimulus Funding.