WIA Youth Program

The purpose of the WIA youth program is to help eligible youth achieve academic and employment success year round by providing:

  • Effective and comprehensive activities, including a variety of options for improving educational and skill competencies and effective connections to employers.
  • Ongoing mentoring opportunities with adults committed to providing such opportunities.
  • Opportunities for training.
  • Continued support services.
  • Incentives for recognition and achievement.
  • Opportunities and activities related to leadership development, decision-making, citizenship, and community service.

There are 10 required program elements that are available through local programs:

  • Tutoring, study skills training, and instruction leading to secondary school completion, including dropout prevention strategies.
  • Alternative secondary school offering.
  • Summer employment opportunities directly linked to academic and occupation learning.
  • Paid an unpaid work experiences, including internships and job shadowing.
  • Occupational skills training.
  • Leadership development opportunities, which may include such activities as positive social behavior and soft skills, decision-making, team work, and other activities
  • Supportive services.
  • Adult mentoring for a duration of at least 12 months, that may occur during and after program participation.
  • Follow-up services.
  • Comprehensive guidance counseling, including drug and alcohol abuse counseling, as well as referrals to counseling, as appropriate to the needs of the individual youth.

The following are WIA eligibility requirements:

  • 14-21 years of age
  • One or more of the following:
    • Basic skills deficient
    • Dropout
    • Homeless, runaway or foster child
    • Pregnant or parenting teen
    • Offender
    • Requires additional assistance to complete educational program or to secure employment
  • Low-income:
    • Receives public assistance
    • Poverty line or 70% lower living standard income level
    • Homeless
    • Foster child
    • Disability (an individual with a disability whose own income meets the income guidelines)
  • Out of School Youth
    • School dropout
    • Received secondary diploma but is: basic skills deficient, unemployed, underemployed

 

Youth services contact information:

  • Athens: (423)745-2028
  • Chattanooga:  Erica Smith (423)643-2354, Samantha Printup (423) 643-2342

 

This project is funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development.  Equal Opportunity Employer/Program.  Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. TDD/TTY TN Relay 711.