In December 2015, the H-GAC Board of Directors approved a contract recommended by the Gulf Coast Workforce Board to train and place opportunity youth in the Houston area. Opportunity youth include those between 18 and 29 who have significant challenges to entering in and remaining employed, including youth who are experiencing homelessness, youth who have transitioned out of foster care, and youth who are high school dropouts. This project was made possible by a special grant from the U.S. Department of Labor through the Texas Workforce Commission.

The opportunity youth project grant has been extended six months beyond its original end date to June 30, 2017, and staff recommends providing additional funds to Dynamic Educational Systems, Inc., the project contractor, to fund service through the extension and complete project activities.

The original contract called for service to 100 youth, and currently the contractor has served 106 with a mix of service including immediate entry into jobs, on-the-job training, instruction necessary to attain a GED, and skills training for industry-recognized certification.

Texas Workforce Commission/U.S. Department of Labor

Yes

Request authorization to increase Dynamic Educational Systems, Inc. contract for opportunity youth from $700,000 to $774,720 to complete project activities through June 30, 2017. (Staff Contact: Mike Temple)