New York State Department of Labor
Profiles of Promising Practices
REGIONAL OUT OF SCHOOL YOUTH PROGRAM
WIB of Herkimer, Madison and Oneida Counties
April 2001 - Present

Purpose

• To integrate Out-of-School Youth (OSY) into the One-Stop system in order to fully utilize the three-county One-Stop system services for youth.

How It Works

• The project gives OSY easy access to the One-Stop system, provides families with information about the services available, and connects young people and their families with the regional workforce investment system.
• Each individual has the full range of support necessary to promote educational advancement, or a training program that will lead to successful and self-sufficient employment.
• The primary goal is to connect at-risk youth to education and assist them in attaining a high school diploma. If they are unable to get a diploma, training options are then introduced to the youth.

Results

• From April through November 2001, the tri-county region increased the number of out-of-school youth served by approximately 500 percent over its total from PY 2000.
• Ninety OSY were enrolled in the program with WIA dollars. These individuals were enrolled in high school, GED programs, or gaining work experience or training.
• The program reduces a duplication of services between partner agencies.
• The marketing efforts helped to get out the message to “stay in school.”

How They Did It

• Through the Youth Council (which represents employers, non-profits, educational institutions, community-based organizations, youth and parents) the WIB was able to attain input from all key sectors in the region.
• By working collaboratively with partners that responded to a Youth Council RFP and the Youth Council, the WIB was able to put together a regional program that included all partners.
• The effort was launched with an extensive marketing effort.
  • Publicity was received through major media outlets in all three counties.
  • Regional staff development efforts aimed at educating One-Stop System partners also increased referrals to the program.

Start-Up Costs

• $250,000 was used to fund the staff that worked with the out-of-school youth and that worked in the community to recruit for the program.

Operating Costs

• Staff members are contracted, and their involvement fluctuates making it difficult to provide specific staff hours and costs.

Funding

• The Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) and Cosmopolitan Center will continue to offer matching funds through state and federal grants to continue this program.
• WIA funds as well as school district support of alternative high school, GED and vocational programs are used.
• Non-local sources of funding include state and federal grants received by the Cosmopolitan Center and three BOCES partners.

Lessons Learned

• Outreach in the communities was key to the initiative.
• Timing is important. The best time to recruit youth is at the end of the summer when most youth are going back to school.
• It was important to lay the groundwork for a referral system among the various partners.