The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) substantially changes the design and delivery of youth services and places new emphasis on a comprehensive year-round service delivery system. Under WIA, comprehensive youth services consist of ten required service “elements” which are built around four major themes of youth development:
1. Improving Educational Achievement
Required elements include tutoring, study skills training, and instruction leading to secondary school completion, dropout prevention strategies, and alternative secondary school offerings. Capital Area youth are connected with the local community college and other agencies that will provide classroom instruction to obtain their GED. Upon completion of their GED youth are provided with the resources that are necessary to enter into post-secondary education.
2. Preparing For and Succeeding in Employment
Required elements include summer employment opportunities that are directly linked to academic and occupational learning, paid and unpaid work experience, on-the-job training, and occupational skills training. Capital Area provide youth with work experiences within high growth industries that are willing to teach and retain the youth. These jobs are designed to combine work and learning experiences and, to the extent possible, are based on the youth’s career interests as recorded in their individualized service strategy. Capital Area youth are provided with various opportunities to gain career exploration throughout the program.
3. Support for Youth
Required elements include supportive services, adult mentoring, comprehensive guidance and counseling and follow up services. Some examples of supportive services available are the assistance with work related items, transportation to school or work related activities, childcare and referrals to community service organizations already available in the community. Adult mentoring is offered to assist youth in achieving academic and/or work related success that may occur during and after program participation. Lastly, comprehensive guidance and counseling is provided to all participants throughout the entire program. Youth specialist provides case management to youth to help them obtain their education and employment goals.
4. Developing Youth Potential as Citizens and Leaders
The required element is leadership development opportunities which include community service, citizenship training, positive social behaviors/and soft skills. One example of a Capital Area leadership and development opportunity is the Youth Summit which is held annually to better equip youth for future success in educational and employment pursuits. Other leadership and development activities provided by capital area are participation in Global Youth Service Day, educational college tours, job shadowing, youth chamber of commerce and several other opportunities to enhance youth soft skills such as decision making, team work, etc.