DINAP BULLETIN 93-01
Calendar Year 1993 Summer Youth Employment and Training Program
To provide Section 401 tribal grantees with guidance for the Summer Youth Employment and Training Program (SYETP) to be implemented in calendar year 1993 under Title II-B of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) and to provide information to urban and o
References. JTPA Regulations, 20 CFR Parts 632; DINAP Bulletin 92-17. Background. On July 2, 1993, the President signed into law a supplemental appropriation of $220 million to be expended pursuant to Title II-B of JTPA. Of these funds, $3,027,936 has been reserved for eligible Title IV-A grantees, i.e., tribal and other entities who receive Title II-B SYETP funds. Goals. Even though Bulletin 92-23 is being rescinded, we believe that the goal statements articulated for the CY 93 SYETP outlined in the Bulletin's attachment, TEGL No. 9-92 (Section 4) remain valid. However, we recognize that the uncertainty surrounding the enactment of a summer supplemental appropriation and the level of such appropriation--as well as the late enactment of the supplemental--all work against the achievement of all the goals to the extent anticipated and desired. Nevertheless, we expect all eligible II-B grantees to make good faith efforts to attain these goals to the maximum extent practicable. For your convenience, the goals as found in TEGL No. 9-92, Section 4, slightly modified, are outlined below. a. Ensure that youths have meaningful, well-supervised work experience which: -- (1) demonstrates the value of the work performed to the individual and his/her community; -- (2) ensures that the youth acquire basic work competencies and discipline, such as: working and completing assignments as directed by leadership and first-line supervision; showing up for work regularly, on time, and with a positive attitude; working as a member of a team; demonstrating sound reasoning abilities; and exercising independent judgement; -- (3) reinforces the relationship between the skills acquired on the job and what is learned in an educational setting. b. Ensure that enrollees are provided academic enrichment which, at minimum, counteract the erosion of basic educational skills associated with the summer months and, to the extent possible, increases the level of educational skills, particularly reading and mathematics (academic enrichment). c. Provide income for work to economically disadvantaged youth to benefit them, their families, and their communities; d. Enhance the level and quality of public services provided to distressed neighborhoods and communities; e. Provide well-supervised, productive jobs to as many eligible youth as possible this summer; f. Preserve the integrity of the funds by implementing sound administrative systems (e.g., time and attendance; payroll) which can adequately absorb the program expansion; g. Use this summer's experience as a means to further enhance and enrich subsequent summer jobs programs in such areas as: -- (1) innovative educational components; -- (2) the relationship between success in the world of work and educational attainment. Academic Enrichment/Basic and Remedial Education (BRE). The expansion and enrichment of the educational component of the summer jobs program remains a high priority of the President, the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education. In consideration of the timing of the enactment of the supplemental, the Congress has not earmarked a percentage of funds for academic enrichment. However, even while not including the Administration's request that 30 percent of the supplemental funds be dedicated to academic enrichment, the Congress has indicated the high level of importance it attaches to an enhanced educational component. Also instructive is the following excerpt from the governing statute: Sec. 251. "The purpose of programs assisted under this part is to-- -- "(1) enhance the basic educational skills of youth; -- "(2) encourage school completion, or enrollment in supplementary or alternative school programs. . ." While improvements in reading, math, and other educational competencies (e.g., science) are the primary emphases, this does not preclude the provision of other services and activities which have a direct correlation with enhancing the educational performance of youth--e.g., strengthening "life skills" and "citizenship skills." We strongly encourage grantees to capitalize on the planning resources they have already invested in the enhancement of the educational component of the summer program to significantly improve the educational services they actually provide to program participants. Linking JTPA and Other Agencies: a. Indian Housing. Secretary of Labor Reich and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Cisneros, have entered into a formal letter of agreement which encourages Department of Labor grantees, including Section 401 Indian and Native American grantees, to target some of the supplemental funds toward local housing authority programs. Details of the letter of agreement have already been sent to Tribal Chairmen and Indian Housing Authorities. As stated in the letter of agreement, Indian Housing Authorities are prepared to work with Tribal leadership and JTPA program directors to engage participating youth in activities that offer academic enrichment, as well as work experience. Some activities suggested by HUD were: area beautification, handicap accessibility modifications, housing modification, lead-based paint containment, and other meaningful work projects that could lead to apprenticeships and permanent jobs. Contact the local Indian Housing Authority for your area for more information on this promising initiative. b. Office of Indian Education (BIA). The Office of Indian Education Programs has alerted Bureau of Indian Affairs' School Superintendents to prepare to assist Section 401 JTPA grantees with educational services and personnel for this summer. Contact your local BIA school or school superintendent. c. Indian Education Technical Assistance Centers (IETAC). Six Indian Education Technical Assistance Centers receive grants from the Department of Education to disseminate information, provide training and technical assistance to school districts with Indian students of both BIA and public school programs. Section 401 JTPA grantees may contact their nearest IETAC office: ORBIS Associates, Washington, D.C. at 1-800-621-2988;United Tribes Technical College, Bismarck, N.D. at 1-800-437-8054; Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA at 1-800-648-3847; National Indian Training & Research Center, Tempe, AZ at 1-800-528-6425; American Indian Research & Development, Inc., Norman, OK at 1-800-422-0966; or Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Inc., Anchorage, AK at 1-800-265-5971. Maximum utilization of funds. The House Appropriations Committee Report on the summer supplemental states that all fund recipients are expected "... to expend these funds during the coming summer." The Department of Labor fully shares the expectation that total fund availability will be expended this summer to the maximum extent feasible and that, correspondingly, the maximum number of youth will be served. Total fund availability includes carry-in funds from 1992, the 1993 base allocation, and the supplemental allocation. The amounts of allowable carryover will be subject to future policy guidance. When details of the carryover policy are known, grantees will be notified. SYETP Modification. The supplemental funding will be added by a modification of the current Title II-B grant. The modification will include a grant signature sheet, and an updated PPS and BIS. A copy of the allocation list for the supplemental funding is attached. DINAP staff is currently in the process of contacting all grantees by telephone with funding information and modification requirements. The purpose is to get the supplemental funding modifications submitted to DINAP as soon as possible, but no later than c.o.b. July 16, 1993. Technical assistance and training. Grantees will receive assistance provided by DINAP Federal Representatives via the telephone or on-site visits. The Department of Labor is committed to providing and arranging for as much technical assistance and training as can be arranged. Program oversight and monitoring. In order to meet program goals, an energized oversight effort is required. Effective oversight and monitoring of program operations are essential to avert major operational crises. Therefore, for the remainder of the summer, DINAP plans to focus much of its on-site effort on grantees with Title II-B summer programs. The TA provided during these visits is meant to help grantees keep their programs on track. Information needs. The 1993 summer jobs program has had high visibility that will more than likely continue, and may even intensify, as operations move into full swing. Accordingly, DINAP must be prepared to respond to Presidential and Congressional inquiries and questions from the media and the public. Therefore, it will be necessary to obtain certain basic information on enrollments and expenditures: Special Report DINAP will be gathering information on cumulative enrollments for the overall program and cumulative enrollments in academic enrichment/BRE components as of August 27, 1993. The information will be gathered during the following week, beginning August 30, 1993. Reports of academic enrichment/BRE expenditures should not include wages or other payments to participants who engaged in such activities. Examples of academic enrichment/BRE expenditures include salaries and benefits or instructors, teacher aides, and auxiliary staff; curriculum development or purchase; instructional aides; equipment and supplies; rental of space. Current plans are to receive this information via telephone, fax, or other electronic means. Your Federal Representative will contact you about any additional details concerning this report. Regular Summer Report Grantees should submit the end-of-program report by November 15, 1993, as has been required in the past. In addition, grantees are requested to indicate in the "Remarks" section, estimates of the total amount of expenditures for academic enrichment/BRE activities. The information on academic enrichment/BRE, although not required, will be helpful in promulgating program guidance for subsequent summers. Program guidance for section 401 grantees who do not receive title II-B funds. Many non-Title II-B grantees operate similar summer programs for young people in urban and other non-reservation areas. Although such grantees will not receive II-B supplemental funding, they should be aware of other initiatives that are being undertaken by States and SDA's, mostly in the form of technical assistance. The following information will be of particular interest to grantees who receive State Title II-B funding, because they will probably be able to access it by contacting the funding agency. Private Sector Summer Jobs Campaign. The Mainstream JTPA program has stated in its directive to States and SDAs, that in his State of the Union Address and in subsequent presentations, President Clinton challenged the private sector to join the public sector effort in providing summer jobs to economically disadvantaged youth. Secretary Reich has met with various business and industry leaders to enlist their active involvement in organizing their colleagues to increase summer hiring. The Department has been assisted in these efforts by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Alliance of Business and other business and industry organizations. At a press conference on June 9, 1993, Secretary Reich unveiled public service announcements which can be used to promote the Private Sector Summer Jobs Campaign. The Secretary noted at the press conference that--due to the substantial difference between what was originally requested for the supplemental appropriation and what was enacted--it is imperative that the private sector engage in a major effort to fill the large gap between the number of summer job applicants and the number of available public/ private, non-profit sector jobs. The Department appreciates the fact that some States and SDAs have already mounted Private Sector Summer Jobs Campaigns. The Department has urged all States and SDAs to serve as catalysts and partners in such campaigns in their communities. Additional guidance. If more specifics on the policy guidance presented above becomes available, including additional information on reporting and any other inter-agency initiatives, you will be contacted. Inquiries. Questions should be directed to your DINAP Federal Representative.
All Native American Grantees
HERBERT FELLMAN PAUL A. MAYRAND Chief Director Division of Indian and Office of Special Native American Programs Targeted Programs JAMES DELUCA Grant Officer D