1. Purpose. To transmit copies of "Lessons Learned -- 32 Effective Youth Employment Initiatives -- PEPNet '97 -- Promising and Effective Practices Network," by the National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC), a grantee of the Employment and Training Administration.

2. References. Training and Employment Information Notice (TEIN) No. 17-85 and TEIN No. 14-96.

3. Background. PEPNet was established by the NYEC in 1995 as a means to identify and recognize effective youth initiatives. In 1997, PEPNet's second year of selecting effective programs, more than 800 programs requested copies of the PEPNet Self

   Assessment and Application; and 45 submitted applications for recognition. A PEPNet Review Board of youth practitioners, researchers and policymakers evaluated the applications and selected 14 programs for recognition. In 1996, 18 programs were selected. These 32 effective youth programs represent the Network in PEPNet.

   The 14 PEPNet youth programs selected in 1997 were recognized on October 21, 1997 in a ceremony at the U.S. Department of Labor. Acting Assistant Secretary for ETA, Raymond Uhalde and Joan Wills, Chair of the NYEC Executive Committee, spoke of the concepts underlying PEPNet and recognized the awardees as exemplars of effective practice in the youth employment/development field. A youth from each selected program answered questions posed by Deputy Secretary Kathryn Higgins. This interaction with the young people revealed the diversity of program design and the great difference the interventions made in the lives of these young people. All 14 winning projects show that successful youth programs emphasize human development and adherence to strict measures of success.

   NYEC is a respected source of information for bipartisan policymakers in both the Congress and Executive Branch of government. In particular, PEPNet, because it has identified youth initiatives that meet high standards, has proved to be a valuable tool to inform Congressional staff and policymakers. PEPNet is funded by the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and by the Ford Foundation, the AT&T Foundation, the Clark Foundation, and the Prudential Foundation.

4. Lessons Learned. The publication, 32 Two Effective Youth Employment Initiatives, contains descriptions of programs recognized in 1996 and 1997 as having special merit by PEPNet. To become a PEPNet awardee, a program must demonstrate superiority in four areas: quality management; youth develop- ment; workforce development; and measurable evidence of success. Awardees are chosen from nominations by a review board composed of noted youth program practitioners, experts and scholars.

   PEPNet is expected to continue to be a strong element helping to strengthen operations and program results of youth employment and development programs. The programs recognized by PEPNet exemplify the best practices in youth programs. As such, these programs are expected to improve the system as a whole through raised standards and expectations, wider use of quality management techniques and increased opportunities for all youth, especially those who are considered to be at-risk, to prepare themselves for work and productive lives.

5. Action Required. Please inform Service Delivery Areas, Sub-State Grantees, local Employment Service Offices, One-Stop Career Centers and other appropriate employment and training service providers of the availability of &qout;PEPNet's Lessons Learned". The booklet is available free of charge from the American Youth Policy Forum, Suite 719, 1001 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20036, telephone: (202) 659-1064.

6. Inquiries. Questions should be addressed to Barbara DeVeaux at (202) 219-7533, extension 165, or Nancy Rose at (202) 219-7669 extension 136.

7. Attachment. 32 Effective Youth Employment Initiatives.

NOTE: Attachment not available to DMS