The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) envisions an integrated, comprehensive service delivery system designed to provide high-quality services for Out-of-School Youth (OSY) and Young Adults. These services emphasize career exploration and guidance, ongoing educational support, skills training opportunities, and a pathway to self-sustaining employment or enrollment in post-secondary education. Proposed programs must incorporate at least one of the 14 WIOA Youth Program Elements, with priority consideration given to proposals incorporating multiple elements with a demonstrated track record of successful delivery. The 14 Program Elements are as follows: 1. Tutoring, Study Skills Training, and Instruction Activities aimed at improving academic performance, overcoming learning obstacles, and preventing youth that have dropped out from achieving secondary or recognized post-secondary credentials. 2. Alternative Secondary School Services or Dropout Recovery Services such as credit recovery, alternative education, and counseling to re-engage youth who have struggled in traditional education or dropped out. 3. Paid and Unpaid Work Experience Structured opportunities providing hands-on learning in a workplace setting, such as internships, job shadowing, pre-apprenticeships, and on-the-job training, with academic and occupational components. 4. Occupational Skills Training Programs designed to lead to proficiency in specific occupational skills aligned with indemand industries or sectors. 5. Education Offered Concurrently with Workforce Preparation Integrated models combining workforce preparation, basic academic skills, and occupational training. 6. Leadership Development Opportunities Activities promoting personal responsibility, employability, self-determination, and other positive social behaviors.
