AID Youth Employment Act

The AID Youth Employment Act establishes a program to provide subsidized summer and year-round employment opportunities for youth aged 14-24, with special focus on marginalized youth including those who are homeless, in foster care, involved in the justice system, or living in underserved communities. It authorizes $375 million annually for summer employment programs and $500 million for year-round programs, requiring applicants to form partnerships with schools, workforce agencies, juvenile justice systems, and community organizations. The bill mandates that 50% of funds go to in-school youth and 50% to out-of-school youth, with at least 20% of funds allocated for rural areas and 5% for tribal areas. Grantees must provide work readiness skills, mentorship, and connections to education or training, with programs evaluated through annual reviews tracking employment rates and educational outcomes.