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Youth Ecology Corps Program “ A Crash Course in Workplace Competencies”

Youth Ecology Corps Program “ A Crash Course in Workplace Competencies”. Youth Ecology Programs. Youth Ecology Corps are workforce training and ecosystem education programs aimed at employing youth and young adults while teaching environmental stewardship

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Youth Ecology Corps Program “ A Crash Course in Workplace Competencies”

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  1. Youth Ecology Corps Program“A Crash Course inWorkplace Competencies”

  2. Youth Ecology Programs • Youth Ecology Corps are workforce training and ecosystem education programs aimed at employing youth and young adults while teaching environmental stewardship • We will look at programs operating in Sonoma, Marin, and Riverside Counties

  3. Sonoma County: Program Focus • Youth Employment / Youth Development 200-300 youth and young adults annually • Environmental Stewardship Crews complete environmental projects • Community Benefits Flood Protection, Park Access, Food, Safety • Strategic Partnerships Good Government, Leveraged Resources

  4. Sonoma County: Program Information • Program was started in 2009 • Provides work and learning opportunities for 200-250 youth and young adults each year • Primarily a summer program with a growing number of year round crews • Launched with ARRA dollars (Recovery Act) • Sustained by leveraging a range of investments and a growing set of partners • Highly visible and popular with elected officials / others

  5. Sonoma County: Partners • The Sonoma County Human Services Department and Workforce Investment Board • Sonoma County Water Agency • Sonoma County Office of Education • Six local non-profit agencies • New Ways to Work • Parks Alliance for Sonoma County • More than 60 Project Hosts

  6. Sonoma County: Youth Target populations are 14 to 24 year-old economically disadvantaged youth including: • Current Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Participants • Participants on Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) • Current or former Foster Youth • Participants with disabilities • Pregnant or Parenting youth • Youth involved in the justice system *In addition to these target groups, other youth are served based on funding availability.

  7. Sonoma County: Funding Sources 2013 Program Funders • Workforce Investment Act (WIA) through the Workforce Investment Board • Sonoma County Water Agency • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) • Realignment funds • Parks Alliance  (Vintners Foundation, Regional Parks, City Parks, local grants and contributions)

  8. Sonoma County: Results Youth • Builds work-readiness skills • Fosters environmental awareness • Builds career awareness and aspiration • Youth save $$ and contribute to household expenses   Environment • Creeks and streams maintained • Habitats restored • Contributes to fish recovery • Helps build environmental awareness .

  9. Sonoma County: Results Community • Small stream flooding reduced • Access to parks and trails improved • Community gardens planted and harvested • Many other outdoor community projects completed Program and the Partners • Identifies and connects partners around a common purpose • Wide range of partners help sustain the SCYEC • Responsible use of a range of public funds • Engages private investors .

  10. YEC Communities: The YEC model is being replicated in a number of communities: • Marin County • Riverside County • Portland, Oregon Summer 2014 Pilots Include: • Napa County • Contra Costa County • Alameda County

  11. Marin County: Program Overview • Summer 2013 pilot program • Two crews of 8 youth • Paid conservation work and career planning • Indian Valley Organic Farm • John Muir Woods • Mount Tamalpalais • Planning for expansion in 2014

  12. Marin County: Partners • Marin Employment Connection • Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy California State Parks • Conservation Corps North Bay • Marin County Board of Supervisors • Marin Charitable Trust • Workforce Investment Board

  13. Marin County: Funding • Marin County, Department of Health and Human Services, CalWORKS • Marin County Board of Supervisors • Golden Gate National Recreation – entrance fees collected from visitors to local state parks

  14. Riverside County: Youth Participants Target populations are 16 to 21 year-old economically disadvantaged youth including: • Current Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Participants • Participants on Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) • Current or former Foster Youth • Participants with disabilities • Pregnant or Parenting youth • Youth involved in the justice system *In addition to these target groups, other youth are served based on funding availability.

  15. Riverside County: Partners The Workforce Investment Board administers the Riverside County Youth Ecology Corps in partnership with: • California Family Life Center (CFLC) • Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) • Workforce Investment Board (WIB)

  16. Riverside County: Funding The 2013 summer work experience opportunities were funded by the following sources: • Workforce Investment Act (WIA) through the Workforce Investment Board • Eastern Municipal Water District

  17. Riverside County: Outcomes • 3 entered Post-Secondary Education • 1 obtained employment • 2 are enrolled in the • Empower Youth WIA Program • Program Expansion

  18. Administrative Prep • Identify Projects • Promote to Youth • Conduct Interviews • Perform Background Checks / Testing • Hire Youth • Sign Agreements • Complete Forms • Orientation Checklist • Computer Network Access (office assistants)

  19. Training • Safety & Ethics Training (6 hours) 6 segments All 6 additional segments Field Personal Protection Equipment Field Badges for Identification All • Microsoft Office Software Review (4 hours) Word, PowerPoint, Excel All • PowerPoint & Headquarters Tours (8 hours) 20 Departments All

  20. Workplace Experiences • Lunch During Orientation • Facility Tours • Recognition at a Board Meeting Certificate & Letter of Recommendation

  21. Workplace Competencies • Planning, Organizing, & Scheduling • Problem Solving & Decision Making • Working with Tools and Technology • Teamwork • Following Directions • Business Fundamentals

  22. Workplace Competencies

  23. Benefits to Youth • Experience • Advice • Recommendations • Rewarding!!

  24. Benefits to EMWD • Increases youth awareness of careers • Provides staff with exposure to youth • Backburner projects get addressed • Rewarding!!

  25. Future Plans

  26. Steve TrippeSCYEC PartnerNew Ways to Work707/824-4000 x22sgtrippe@newwaystowork.org

  27. Questions?

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