Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), passed in 2014, offers an array of employment services targeted at the nation’s most vulnerable workers, including youth with a history of juvenile justice system involvement. WIOA reauthorized the nationwide system of one-stop career centers, which offer opportunities to build workforce readiness capacity. Pub.L. No. 113-128. The Act requires a minimum of 75 percent of state and local youth funding be spent on services for out-of-school youth ages 16 to 24. WIOA, Pub.L. No. 113-128, Title I, § 129 (a)(4)(A). WIOA also emphasizes work experience for these youth, requiring that at least 20 percent of local youth funds be used for work experiences like summer employment, pre-apprenticeships, on-the-job training, or internships and job shadowing. Pub.L. 113-128, Title I, § 129 (c)(4). Youth in the juvenile or adult justice system are not subject to an income threshold in order to receive WIOA services. Pub.L. 113-128, Title I, § 129 (a)(1)(B)(4).  The legislation also encourages local boards to create a standing committee to focus on the provision of services to youth and to collaborate with “community-based organizations with a demonstrated record of success in serving eligible youth.” Pub.L. 113-128, Title I, § 107 (b)(4)(A)(ii).