The No Worker Left Behind Initiative, housed in the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG), Bureau of Workforce Transformation (BWT), represents reorganization, augmentation and rebranding of Michigan’s workforce programs and is a major part of an overall strategy to transform Michigan’s economy to compete for jobs and investment. As a part of this reorganization, BWT now focuses on lifelong learning as central to the success of workers and employers in Michigan's rapidly transforming economy. This marks a radical shift from a traditional structure organized by federal funding source and program to a structure organized by customer and strategy.
In promoting this shift in structure, DELEG established a cross-systems collaborative body, the Michigan Shared Youth Vision Partnership (MSYVP), illustrating its commitment to promoting an integrated system of lifelong learning beginning with Michigan's youth. The mission of hte MSYVP is to build and maintian an infrastructure through collaborative networks that guide economic and social policy in order to connect youth with high quality education and employment services, and connecting activities for successful transition into responsible adult roles. DELEG, BWT serves as a lead agency for the partnership. Partners include the departments of Human Services, Education, Transportation, State Police, History, Arts and Libraries, Military and Veterans Affairs, the Office of the Governor, children's advocacy organizations, several state associations, and workforce development agencies. The MSYVP is charged with coordinating efforts to assist communities in increasing educational attainment for local youth, particularly the most disadvantaged. This includes identifying technical assistance and other resources available to the communities, reviewing potential policy barriers, and creating a communications plan to promote information sharing. http://www.michigan.gov/dleg
More About How DELEG Programs Serving Youth Operate and Opportunities for Dropout Prevention and Recovery Connections
The DELEG, Bureau of Workforce Transformation provides administration and oversight of the employment and training programs at the state level. The Michigan Works! System administers employment and training programs at the local level through Workforce Development Boards (WDB) and their respective Michigan Works! Agencies (MWAs) in collaboration with local elected officials. One of the programs administered by the MWAs is the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Services Program. These programs are operated year-round. The types of services that are included in the youth program include tutoring, study skills training, leadership development opportunities, supportive services, adult mentoring, follow-up services, and comprehensive guidance and counseling.
Michigan will receive $74 million in Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Activities funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). This will provide an opportunity for additional disadvantaged youth to receive WIA services, particularly in summer employment opportunities. For services, please contact the local MWA Service Center. A list of service centers can be found at http://www.michiganworks.org/pdf/Service%20Center%20Location%20Guide.pdf.
The MWAs have or will soon issue Request for Proposals (RFPs) for local organizations to apply to deliver these additional WIA youth services under ARRA. For more information, please contact your local MWA. An MWA directory is located at http://www.michiganworks.org/pdf/Directory.pdf.
Youth eligible for WIA services are a youth who are: age 14-21 (eligibility increases to 24 for use of some of the ARRA $$) who is low-income, and is within one or more of the following categories: deficient in basic literacy skills; has dropped out of high school without a diploma; is homeless, a runaway, or a foster child; is pregnant or parenting; is involved in the juvenile justice or criminal justice systems; requires additional assistance to complete and educational program, or to secure and hold employment.
For more information about DELEG, WIA Programs or the Shared Youth Vision Partnership, contact:
Virginia Abdo, Bureau of Workforce Transformation
Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth
abdov@michigan.gov