Many youth involved in the juvenile justice system lack the skills, knowledge, competencies, and experience necessary to obtain a job or prepare for a career.  Youth employment and career development programs often do not adequately target these youth.  As a result, juvenile offenders and other high risk youth are not receiving adequate services to prepare them for entry into the workforce. 
    

The program addresses the problem of the lack of preparedness for employment among juvenile offenders and high-risk youth by linking youth to appropriate existing programs and developing additional needed services including a volunteer component.

The program awards funding to 18 counties to enroll Americorps members to provide the following activities: 

• Provide job readiness and career development services to youth, including job shadowing,    job coaching, competency development, youth internships, job skills, job retention, career and occupational assessments, and mentoring.    

• Provide case management services to youth, including linking youth with Workforce Investment Act services such as summer employment opportunities and occupational skill   training.       

• Recruit, manage, and retain volunteers who work with youth in the program.

For more information, contact Perry Palumbo at (614) 752-2547 or perry.palumbo@dys.ohio.gov.