Reference: Training and Employment Information Notices (TEIN) Nos. 17-95, 28-95, 14-96, and 24-97 (Promising and Effective Practices Network). Background: The National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC) is starting the fourth year of PEPNet. PEPNet was created to improve youth development programs and as a means to identify and recognize youth initiatives. Since 1996, PEPNet has successfully identified and recognized, in a national ceremony, 43 youth employment and training programs that met four quality standards: Organization and Management - qualified, committed staff and leadership, collaboration with others, use of information to continuously improve services Youth Development - conscious, professional reliance on youth development principles to shape program activities; Workforce Development - appropriate use of training, work experience, and education, successful connections to employers, consistent emphasis on connecting learning and work; Evidence of Success - collection and use of data that reflect operational effectiveness and ability to achieve desired outcomes. NYEC seeks youth employment programs interested in improving services and being recognized as excellent youth development programs for 1999. Application Eligibility: Any youth program or program component may be nominated. This effort is not limited to ETA-funded programs, although it is expected that most will be from the Job Training Partnership Act (including Job Corps), Bureau of Apprenticeship Training, and School-to-Work systems. PEPNet Brochure: NYEC mailed brochures to thousands of programs in the youth employment/development field throughout the Nation inviting them to undertake an organizational self-assessment process, and to apply to be a part of PEPNet. Attached is a copy of the PEPNet brochure that explains the self-assessment and award process. Application Procedures: Programs or program components desiring national recognition may submit the PEPNet application. Completed applications are to be provided to NYEC by April 30, 1999. Programs may request an application by using the form in the brochure. The brochure has been distributed to all ETA-funded programs. Training on the Self-Assessment System: NYEC is conducting one-day training to help programs learn about PEPNet¿s criteria of effective practice and how the self-assessment system can improve services to young people. Programs will also learn how PEPNet can help in the transition to the new youth system under WIA. To attend, select the most convenient training site and contact the person listed for that training to register. Training will be conducted at the following sites: March 15: Philadelphia, PA USDOL Region III and Philadelphia=s PIC Contact: Dorothy Robinson (215) 963-3489 March 22: Chicago, IL USDOL Region V Contact: Lennon Mitchell (312) 353-153 March 23: Atlanta, GA USDOL Region IV Contact: Toni Buxton (404) 462-2105 March 24: Dallas, TX USDOL Region VI Contact: Cynthia Joseph (214) 767-2154 March 25: Salt Lake City, UT USDOL Region VIII Contact: Sandy Goold (303) 844-1660 Review Panel and Process: NYEC is seeking a panel of youth employment practitioners, researchers, and policy makers to review PEPNet applications. Recommendations for the Review Panel should be faxed to NYEC by April 1, 1999, at (202) 659-0399. Panel members will review applications and select PEPNet programs in May 1999. In addition, the programs that apply to be part of PEPNet will receive comments on their application from the Review Panel. The comments will be sent to all the programs that submit the self-assessment. Selection: Selection will take place by May and a recognition ceremony will follow in September 1999 to honor the selected PEPNet programs. Learning Process: Applicants to PEPNet must be willing to participate in the learning process with others. This may include hosting visits, being part of workshops, and providing additional written material. Electronic Accessibility: As information on PEPNet becomes available, it will be made accessible electronically via the Training Technology Resource Center (TTRC) on-line information system. TTRC is accessible by: Calling 1-800-488-0901 (voice); Via modem by dialing 1-800-767-0806; or Internet: WEB URL: HTTP://www.ttrc.doleta.gov Action: States are requested to: a) encourage administrators and operators of effective youth programs or program components to apply for recognition in accordance with the self-assessment process which is described in the attached brochure; b) encourage administrators and operators of programs interested in conducting the assessment to attend a training session being conducted by NYEC; and fax recommendations for the Review Panel to NYEC by April 1, 1999.

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Reference: Training and Employment Information Notice No. 35-97. Background: On February 22, Deputy Secretary of Labor Kathryn Higgins and NEA Chairman Bill Ivey, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate a partnership between the DOL and NEA. The purpose of this MOU is twofold: 1) to establish a forum for the agencies to share information; and 2) to develop initiatives to increase arts-related activities in training programs for at-risk youth. Under the MOU, DOL through the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) will provide leadership, program information, and program contacts at the Federal, State and local levels to the NEA, informing the employment and training community of State and local based arts organizations to encourage the development of local SDA joint arts/job training programs. The arts can provide within the workforce development arena valuable skills and career opportunities. Linkages Between ETA and Arts Program: There is much potential for the involvement of the ETA's programs at the State and local levels with arts-related/arts- education projects. The recently signed MOU builds on the cooperative efforts already established between these two agencies. Many SDAs have forged linkages with arts programs. The President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities' publication, "Coming Up Taller", includes examples of arts and humanities programs for at-risk youth, combining arts and job training. A copy of this document and a list of State Art Agencies were provided to the employment and training community in TEIN No. 35-97. Coming Up Taller: NEA sponsors annual "Coming Up Taller" awards to recognize arts programs for youth. These national awards, which include a $10,000 prize, honor the exemplary work of community-based arts and humanities programs for children, especially for those youth whose family and community circumstances place them at-risk. The awards program represents an investment in our youth's future. This is an opportunity for JTPA programs with an arts component to be recognized. Programs may self-nominate. The nomination form for the 1999 Coming Up Taller Awards is attached along with a brochure which presents highlights of the ten honored programs for 1998. NOTE THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS APRIL 2. Action Required. States are encouraged to: - Nominate job training arts programs for the 1999 awards. States and SDAs may apply themselves or may wish to submit a joint application with the arts program with which they are involved. - Duplicate the awards nomination form and distribute the forms to SDAs interested in applying for Coming Up Taller awards. - Facilitate joint arts/job training workshops at appropriate DOL sponsored conferences.

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