Implementation of innovative program activities

(a) Grants authorized From the amounts appropriated under section 2(b)(2) for this section, the Secretary of Labor shall provide grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities that operate summer youth employment programs that include each of the program elements listed in section 3(d) to integrate innovative approaches in carrying out such programs for the purposes of improving the youth outcomes listed under section 3(a). (b) Grant prioritization In awarding grants to eligible entities under this section, the Secretary of Labor, in coordination with the Advisory Board, shall prioritize eligible entities that, based upon the applications submitted under subsection (c)— (1) have higher youth unemployment rates and violent crime rates in the local areas to be served; (2) will offer a higher quality and more rigorous summer youth employment program (which shall include a consideration of whether the program has been evaluated and, if so, the impact of the program on the youth outcomes listed in section 3(a)); (3) will offer a higher quality and more rigorous innovative approach for such program (which shall include a consideration of whether that innovative approach has been evaluated and, if so, the impact of the innovative approach on the youth outcomes listed under section 3(a)); and (4) will serve a higher number of youth historically underserved by summer youth employment programs, including youth in rural and suburban local areas. (c) Application requirements To be eligible for a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, and in such manner as may be required by the Secretary, which includes a description of the plan to integrate one or more of the innovative approaches listed in subsection (d) into the summer youth employment program operated by the eligible entity. (d) Innovative approaches to summer youth employment programs An eligible entity that operates a summer youth employment program that includes the required program elements listed in section 3(d) shall use funds received under this section to integrate into such program one or more of the following innovative approaches: (1) Individualized mentoring and coaching for youth participants, under which each youth participant— (A) before and after the participant starts the program and regularly during the program, meets one-on-one with a dedicated mentor; (B) develops a comprehensive success plan with the mentor, including academic and employment goals and the steps needed to achieve such goals; (C) receives other support from the mentor, which shall include— (i) coaching to overcome barriers that could impact progress in completing the employment received under the summer youth employment program; (ii) providing letters of recommendation; and (iii) making referrals to educational and social services, where necessary. (2) High-quality job training, career counseling, or educational tutoring programs to be delivered in small group settings before the program, on evenings and weekends during the program, and after the program, with the goal of preparing youth participants for future employment, which shall include assisting youth participants— (A) with developing resumes and interviewing skills, and financial literacy; and (B) in completing a regular high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and literacy classes, if applicable. (3) Social-emotional learning for youth participants, including proven interventions to help develop empathy, self-efficacy, positive decision-making, and communication skills. (4) Wrap-around financial assistance services, including for food, shelter, and transportation. (5) Mental health supports for youth participants, as applicable. (6) Substance abuse and addiction treatment supports for youth participants, as applicable. (7) The continuation of certain program elements (particularly the individualized mentoring, mental health and behavioral supports, and career counseling), in coordination with their school districts, for a period of time after the employment portion of the program ends to help participants continue their engagement with the education and employment system, with financial assistance available to youth who continue to participate in these program elements after their summer employment has ended. (8) The provision of one or more of the program elements listed in section 3(d) virtually to develop digital literacy and remote work skills that are a part of many professional settings. (9) The provision of Learn and Earn opportunities, in which participants take postsecondary or training courses during nonsummer months coupled with work experience in related fields during the summer. (10) The expansion of private sector opportunities with employers in in-demand occupations or industry sectors (as defined in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102)), such as information technology, health care, life sciences, and vocational careers. (11) The development of skill-based digital badges issued by cities that are recognized by high schools, community colleges, and employers. (12) The laddering of job opportunities from one summer to the next to enable participants to build skills over multiple summers by progressing from entry-level to more senior positions that further develop soft skills (such as leadership skills) or hard skills (such as technical skills). (13) A program element identified by the Advisory Board under section 6(i)(3). (14) A new innovative program element that is not identified by the Advisory Board under section 6(i)(3) and is not listed in this subsection, which is— (A) proposed by the eligible entity in the application submitted under subsection (b); (B) determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the Advisory Board, as being reasonably expected to demonstrate evidence, in the case of an element in which such evidence does not exist, in carrying out the purposes described in subsection (a).