Pacific Gateway's New Youth Model
A New WIOA Youth Model
In 2018, Pacific Gateway Workforce Innovation Network announced the development of a new model for the administration of Youth Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds in Long Beach and Signal Hill. This new model aims to engage a wide group of passionate adults in helping our community’s young adults thrive. Research and evidence-based programs have long demonstrated that having a connection to a healthy adult mentor can often be the single most-important factor in a young person’s success.
Pacific Gateway will recruit business owners, community-based organizations, community leaders, and others to serve as Advisors. Pacific Gateway will develop a deep catalogue of career-focused activities, and these Advisors will help the young adult select the best options for them, and organize them into a six-month plan. The goal of this work is to help the young adult build their skills, access an expansive network of professionals, and complete the program in a good job or career pathway.
In this new model, individuals and organizations can become Advisors and/or Skills Builders. Advisors are individuals who work closely with a young person or cohort of youth. Skills Builders are organizations or independent contractors who offer workshops, classes, experiences and other activities in a number of categories.
What is the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)?
WIOA is the federal legislation that directs how local communities administer public workforce funding. WIOA funds support programs and services for adults who are unemployed, adults who have been recently laid-off (also known as dislocated workers), and youth. WIOA funds for youth are generally directed at serving young people ages 14-24 who have left school without graduating, or who are not connected to school, college, or work. WIOA funds are administered through the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), and distributed through the State of California into more than 40 regions in the state.
WIOA sets five program goals for youth. Within six months after completing a program, WIOA youth must be in one of the following: in a meaningful, career-oriented job; in the US Military; in an apprenticeship program; fully enrolled in college; or in additional vocational training.
About Advisors |
About Skills Builders |
What makes a good Advisor?An Advisor can be an independent person or a be part of a non-profit/community-based organization. An Advisor should:
What is the role of an Advisor?Advisors help youth complete a whole host of activities and advance along a program model. Their work together begins with an introduction. Advisors then help youth identify a goal, and together, help them select six-months of activities from Pacific Gateway offerings. Once the plan is set, Advisors help youth complete these activities, and meet with them before or after to set them up for success. Advisors will add other activities of their own, which could include introductions to other professionals, internship experiences, career discussions over coffee, college visits, etc. Advisor’s main goal is to help youth follow through with activities and support them. How are Advisors and youth connected to one another?Youth are presented to a list of available Advisors, and they select the right Advisor for them. Alternatively, Advisors who are already connected to youth can bring those young people into the program and continue to work with them as a cohort. Are Advisors paid?Advisors earn $1,800 over six months for active mentorship. This requires regular contact and support, and data collection of activities and outcomes. An additional ‘bonus’ payment of $500 can be earned if the young adult has met their goals six months after they exit the program.
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Is your organization an expert in an area important to the development of young adults in the Long Beach area? Sign up to receive the formal request for services by indicating all of the areas where you have something to offer. In order to be considered, you or your organization must have experience in having delivered this content for a minimum of two years. These services could be offered at the Pacific Gateway youth center, or at your organization’s facility.
Examples: Work readinessWorkshops, classes or online content designed to help youth and young adults prepare for the workforce, including problem-solving, customer service, resume development, business attire, and other areas. Life SkillsWorkshops, classes or online content that covers the skills needed to be a productive adult. This includes topics such as parenting, budgeting, conflict resolution, positive habit formation, and relationship building. Leadership Development Workshops, classes, and other experiences that help youth and new adults develop leadership skills, feel empowered, increase their civic participation, and community involvement. Financial LiteracyWorkshops, classes, and other modalities that build youth and new adults’ understanding of credit, establish positive credit history, repair credit problems, and Career ExplorationWorkshops, classes, online content and other experiences that help youth and new adults explore career options, understand the local labor market, and develop long-term career plans.
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