Transcript Slide 1

Today’s Youth
Tomorrow’s Workforce
Burlington County Youth Opportunity Program
The Workforce Investment Board
 The Workforce Investment Board (WIB) sets policy
and provides oversight for the County’s Workforce
Development System, mandated by the State and
Federal Government; to address the needs of youth.
 The WIB is a partnership of local education,
community-based organizations and business leaders
working together to ensure the workforce readiness of
today and tomorrow’s workforce youth.
 The WIB’s Youth Council helps to identify
duplication and gaps in services, as well as providing
valuable guidance on the provision of comprehensive
services to meet the needs of complex youth.
The
Council meets every other month.
The Youth Opportunity Program (YOP)
The Youth Opportunity Program’s
Mission is to provide youth with
the opportunity for leadership,
encourage a sense of personal
identity, broaden a young person’s
perspective and provide safe
surroundings while connecting
youth with caring adults.
A Common Vision
The Youth Opportunity Program will:
 Improve the long-term employability of youth;
 Enhance educational skills;
 Enhance citizenship skills of youth in a
community service environment;
 Encourage school completion or enrollment in an
alternative setting;
 Increase the employment and earnings of youth;
 Reduce welfare dependency; and
 Assist youth in addressing problems which may
impair their ability to make successful
transitions from education to work.
Program Elements Offered
 Tutoring, Study Skills Training
and Basic Skills Instruction
leading to the completion of
Secondary Education, including
dropout prevention;
 Alternative Secondary School
services or GED;
 Summer Work Experience
directly linked to academic and
occupational learning (i.e.
Youth Job Fair)
 Paid and/or Unpaid Work
Experience, including
internships and job shadowing;
 Occupational Skills Training
(i.e. Job Search, Resume
Preparation, Job Referral
services, etc);
 Leadership Development
Activities, which may
include community service
and peer-centered activities
encouraging responsibility
and other positive social
behaviors;
 Mentoring by a caring
adult;
 Comprehensive guidance
and counseling, which may
include drug and alcohol
abuse counseling;
 Support services, such as
transportation and child
care; and
 Follow-up services for a
minimum of at least twelve
(12) months after
completion of the program.
The Leadership Academy
 Developed to satisfy most Program Elements,
the Workforce Investment Board issued an
RFP (Request for Proposal) to create the
Leadership Academy.
 Resources for Independent Living (RIL),
Burlington City, was awarded a two-year
contract; November 1, 2009 – June 30, 2011.
 RIL’s impressive and specific curriculum
content is essential in the achievement of the
Youth Program’s Mission and Vision.
 There are seven (7) trainings available; not
including Community Service Projects.
The Leadership Academy
 The older youth enrolled in the
Youth Opportunity Program often
lack the skills to function
independently as adults; while
younger youth have difficulties
moving ahead in life.
 Offering basic life skills and
educational training we will reduce
institutional placement, pregnancy,
assist with obtaining employment
and living independently.
Academy Workshops/Seminars/Trainings
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Housing and Community Living,
Hygiene and Health,
Laundry and Cleaning Skills Training,
Cooking and Kitchen Safety,
Banking and Budgeting,
Employment and Study Skills Training,
Leadership and Citizenship Training;
accompanied by Community Service
Projects.
Workshops/Seminars/Trainings
Housing and Community Living is an
essential part of achieving
independence. The specific
curriculum includes topics such as:
making a phone call, staying
organized, manners, how to ask for
what you want, goal planning (short
and long term), where do you want to
live, how do you want to live, where
do you go for resources and assistance
setting up a house/apartment (i.e.
turning on utilities).
Workshops/Seminars/Trainings
In a sensitive, reassuring and ageappropriate way, the Hygiene and
Health discussions show youth that
good hygiene and health is in their
control. Topics will include: sex
education, drinking, smoking and drug
use, hygiene, privacy, good touching/bad
touching, dressing appropriately (i.e.
weather, occasion), nutrition, parenting,
developing healthy relationships, taking
care of health needs, dating and
understanding abuse (verbal/ physical).
Workshops/Seminars/Trainings
Laundry and Cleaning Skills Training
segment strives to stress the importance
of proper care of clothing and a home
environment. Topics include: sweeping,
mopping, dusting, vacuuming, watering
plants, caring for pets, house cleaning,
how to make a bed, laundering by hand,
reading tags on clothing, separating
colors, using the washer and dryer,
folding laundry and ironing.
Workshops/Seminars/Trainings
With a kitchen onsite, youth will learn
proper Cooking Techniques and Kitchen
Safety. Youth will prepare meals and will
be encouraged to cook for their family at
home. Topics will include: setting a table,
proper hand washing when handling food,
kitchen safety, setting up to cook using
the proper tools, using a timer, basic use
of the stove, learning about measuring,
food storage, food handling, use of
electrical appliances and safety, proper
cooking terminology, menu planning and
reusing leftovers in other meals.
Workshops/Seminars/Trainings
Learning how to make proper fiscal decisions
will give youth a good foundation for their
adult life in the Banking and Budgeting
Seminar. Tutorials on different types of
accounts will include: checking, savings,
money market, stocks and bonds, mutual
funds and 401K. Other topics will include:
good credit/bad credit, credits cards, applying
for financial aid for college, how to save
money, creating and working within a budget,
writing a check, making a deposit,
withdrawing money, balancing a checkbook,
reviewing basic math skills and identify theft.
Workshops/Seminars/Trainings
In laying the foundation for successful
adulthood, youth will be instructed about
the basics of working through
Employment and Study Skills Training.
Topics will include: types of employment,
working with the computer, basic job
search, filling out an application,
interviewing tips, conflict resolution in
the workplace, dressing for an
interview/job, successful job attitudes,
resume writing, mock interviews, asking
for a raise, employment expectations,
taking initiative, selling your skills,
reading a paycheck, your rights as an
employee, job accommodations and
effective study techniques.
Workshops/Seminars/Trainings
 Leadership and Citizenship Training is a key
part of everyday living. Youth will learn to
consider, explore and discuss various
options to the difficult, real-life situations
presented to them on a daily basis. Topics
will include: cheating, bullies, dating,
parties, parental expectations, siblings,
personal
responsibilities, goal setting
and decision making skills, how to facilitate
a group, public speaking, recognizing
positive social influences and the importance
of voting.
 Youth involved in this segment will also
participate in Service Project Saturdays (once
per month).
Service Project Saturdays
 Youth will enjoy working together on a
service project that they design.
 Youth will vote and elect a leader to assist
in the development of their project. The
leader will have the opportunity to
present his/her ideas to the group about a
service project that is personal for them
based on a list of organizations that need
assistance.
 Youth between 14 – 16 years of age must
attend this workshop in order to be
considered eligible for the Summer Work
Experience Program.
Opportunities
 Youth will develop a resume based on their
experience; while incorporating all of their
volunteer activities and knowledge gained
through the Employment and Study Skills
& Leadership and Citizenship Training
segments.
 A college/job fair will be arranged where
there will be employers, colleges and
military recruiters, so that youth will have
the opportunity to use their social skills and
present their resumes in order to obtain
employment or educational opportunities.
 Additionally, youth will receive life
assistance from experienced adult mentors
that will help them achieve their goals.
The Leadership Academy
 Workshops are approximately 1 1/2 hours in
length and are held on Wednesday and
Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.
There is a workshop on Saturday morning
from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Service Project
Saturday begins at 9:00 and runs until 11:00
am.
 On workshop days, the Leadership Academy
is open beginning at 4:30 pm and teachers
will be available for tutoring. There is a
computer lab for homework and job search
activities.
 The Academy will be open on Friday evenings
for youth who would like to engage in fun,
positive activities. Youth are encouraged to
Additional Seminars
 A Financial Aid Seminar, conducted by
Burlington County College, is for older youth
entering post-secondary education, whose
family does not have financial stability.
 Income Tax Assistance is for those older youth
who are employed and have never file taxes.
 Career Exploration Workshops are offered,
such as CPR Certification, Swim Lessons and
Community First Aid and Safety. These are
necessary preparations for youth interested in a
career in Aquatics or the Medical field.
 Pet First Aid Workshops are typically held for
youth focused on a career in Veterinary
Medicine.
Youth Summit
 The Annual Youth Summit is an educational
forum for teens between 13 and 17 years old.
 The Summit provides awareness and
instruction on HIV/AIDS Awareness/At-Risk
Behaviors, Alcohol and Tobacco, Teen
Violence (gangs), Unplanned
Parenthood/Risks and Responsibilities, as
well as issues of morality and responsibility.
 The Master of Ceremonies for 2005’s
Be Anyone, Be Anywhere, Be a Survivor was Gervase
Peterson from the first season of Survivor.
Summer Work Experience Program
 The Summer Work Experience Program is
typically for youth 14 to 16 years old that
have significant barriers to securing
employment, such as learning disabilities
or other mental health challenges.
 For youth to participate in the Summer
Work Experience Program, they MUST
attend the Employment and Study Skills
Seminar, as well as the Leadership and
Citizenship Training and Service Project
Saturdays, conducted by the Leadership
Academy.
Youth Graduates
 Since 2001, over 1,000 youth have
successfully completed the Youth
Opportunity Program.
 Acknowledgements are given for those who
successfully earn High School Diploma/GED
or complete Occupational Training, such as
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and
Commercial Drivers License (CDL).
 Most youth enter College, the Military or
Occupational Training upon completion of
High School.
Eligibility Requirements
 Youth must be between 14 and 21 years of age.
 Must be certified by the Youth Development Specialist
as economically disadvantaged in addition to possessing
at least 1 or more of the following obstacles in order to
be eligible for the program:
 Basic Skills Deficient – Reading/Math below an 8th grade
level;
 High School Dropout;
 Homeless, Runaway, Foster Youth (DYFS);
 Pregnant or Parenting Teen;
 Youth Offenders (any involvement with the Juvenile Justice
System); or
 Youth with disabilities, severe enough that assistance is
required to complete an educational program or to secure
employment.
Youth Certification
 The Youth Development Specialist with the
Youth Opportunity Program determines
economic eligibility of youth through
parent/guardian’s income (household
income/pay stub).
 Parents are required to verify residency
(utility bill).
 Parent/Guardians are required to provide
verification of their child’s age (Birth
Certificate or Driver’s License) and Social
Security Card).
 If youth are in a group home or in foster
care, a Letter of Support from the program’s
director will be sufficient.
Our Commitment…
The Burlington County Youth Opportunity Program
is committed to prepare of today’s youth for
tomorrow’s success.
With the provision of the skills necessary to become
prepared for academic and employment success,
youth will ultimately be rewarded with the careers
they want for a successful life.
Important Contacts
Youth Opportunity Program
Liliam Thompson
(609) 518-4772
Or
Barbara Weir
(609) 265-5603
Office Address:
Mailing Address:
795 Woodlane Road
Mt. Holly, NJ
P.O. Box 228
Mt. Holly, NJ
Assuring a Bright Future
for Today’s Youth