Youth Academy Program Facts

Purpose
To help students, ages 14-18, who are having difficulty in basic literacy skills, to achieve greater academic success.

Goals:
To assist students in improving their grades
To keep youth in school through graduation
To enhance youths' chances for successful transition from school to employment or further education and/or training.

Program Phases:

Information Session
Questions and answers about the WIA In-School Youth Program, after which the potential participant completes a preliminary application and enrolls on Virtual OneStop.

Eligibility & Assessment
The applicant is interviewed to determine if he or she is eligible for the program. All necessary documentation, including copies of his or her social security card, birth certificate, report card, address verification, driver's license and household income statements must be submitted at this time.

                    To be eligible, you must:
                            Be in school and between 14-18 years old
                            Meet economic and academic guidelines

Academic
Participants are tested to determine their academic standing. A tutoring plan is established, based on academic need. Students meet with a classroom facilitator for one hour each day, at least 2 days each week. Make-up days may be scheduled on Saturdays.

Case Management
Each participant is assigned to a case manager who will work with him/her and his/her family to identify and rectify academic/social/behavioral problems. The case manager will serve as an adult mentor and will provide the youth with leadership and direction.

Life-Skills Training
During these monthly sessions, participants will receive training in the skills of life: how to write checks or prepare a budget, etiquette, and grooming. They also will be exposed to cultural and social activities such as plays, lectures and field trips.

Work Experience
Participants who successfully complete the academic phase will be assigned to a summer internship, during which they will gain useful work experience.

Follow-Up
Participants will be tracked for 12-month period following their exit from the program. During this period, the participants will receive (as applicable):
Leadership development & supportive service activities
Assistance addressing work-related issues
Assistance in getting a better paying job, career development and/or further education
Access to work-related peer support groups
Adult mentoring

Incentives
Participants who successfully meet the academic and attendance criteria for the WIA In-School Youth Program will receive cash and merchandise incentives.

In addition, eligible participants will be paid minimum wage for their summer internship hours (currently $5.15).