Live from D.C., NYATEP Federal Policy Update

NYATEP reporting LIVE from the center of the action this week!

As you know, the Congressional House appropriations subcommittee, responsible for labor, education, and other social funding, passed a bill containing massive cuts to programs that included the WIOA Youth funding stream, AmeriCorps and JobsCorps. The bill proposes to eliminate funding for WIOA Youth and JobCorps, and cut funding in half for AmeriCorps State and National grants - essentially defunded WIOA Adult formula funding and includes cuts to disadvantaged students!

NYATEP and other state associations (California, Maryland and Pennsylvania) along with our Federal Lobbyist, Chris Andresen, have had two full days of meetings in D.C. explaining how those cuts are unacceptable.

Who We Met With:
House Education and Workforce Committee, Democrat Staff
House Education and Workforce Committee, Republican Staff
Senate HELP Committee, Republican Staff
Senate HELP Committee, Democrat Staff

What We Said:

ETPL Policy – The Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) has become an area of bipartisan frustration. One area that the committee is exploring is expanding the ETPL to include online education providers/resources and we encouraged this discussion.

Performance Metrics – Discussed where the current WIOA indicators are sufficient and where there is room for improvement/changes/updates.

Support Services – At the WIOA hearing, Democrat members showed strong support for support/wraparound services delivered via WIOA Title I. This becomes more important in the context of a potential discussion around ‘training requirements.’ We also supported the need to maintain the ability/flexibility for workforce boards to use funds for wraparound services to ensure completion/employment. We want local flexibility with WIOA funding - and we want it now!

Data Collection/Reporting – Data points that workforce boards collect and how it is used in performance negotiations has become a key topic within WIOA Reauthorization. We discussed how/what data is difficult for boards to collect and which data points are most meaningful to the work and how difficult it is for most to get access to it

WIOA Youth funding stream CANNOT be cut and or defunded. Belief in youth is a belief in the future.

Pictured below is the Hart Senate Building - the lobby was stunning and filled with panicked staffers! 

Pictured below was the best cup of coffee in the middle of a long, but very productive day!

Here is what you can do!
Please call your Congressional Representatives and ask for them to oppose these cuts!

Click here to access the contact information for NY Congressional Representatives.
Feel free to use some of the key language below in your communication efforts!
Talking Points to Include:

- As your Constituent, I'm asking you to oppose the Labor HHS bill introduced in the House. It proposes the elimination of funding for youth activities, Job Corps, and the Senior Community Service Employment Programs, as well as, a 20% cut to adult activities under Title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

- These proposed cuts would critically gut workforce resources and result in fewer workers accessing good jobs.

- The detrimental effect of these cuts, on top of a $712 million reduction of FY23 formula funding from Adult Employment and Training activities under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act would effectively defund the nation’s primary funding stream that connects adults with critical employment and training opportunities.

- I am advising that Congress consider passing an appropriations bill that fully funds our workforce system at the levels proposed in the bipartisan S. 2624, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 and no less.

- I urge you to show your support for that legislation when you return from August recess.

As always, if you need help or have questions, please contact Therese at [email protected]!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS!