Purpose

The bill would provide a one-time grant to support youth employment readiness. Specifically, it would allocate $250,000 in fiscal year 2027 from the Workforce Development Fund to the commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) for a grant to the nonprofit organization 180 Degrees. The funding targets teens and young people in Hennepin, Ramsey, Stearns, Carver, Olmsted counties and surrounding areas to help them gain exposure to career opportunities.

Main Provisions

• Funding: $250,000 in fiscal year 2027 from the Workforce Development Fund to DEED for a grant to 180 Degrees.
• Target group: teens and young adults in the specified counties, including those at risk of homelessness or experiencing homelessness.
• Purpose of funding: support employment readiness and exposure to career opportunities for youth.
• Authorized activities: career exploration, resume development, mock interviews, and work readiness training.
• Outcomes sought: foster hope, self-sufficiency, and positive career pathways; help participants break cycles of poverty and avoid exploitation or chronic instability.
• Nature of appropriation: a one-time allocation (not a continuing program).

Administration and Oversight

• Administration would be through the commissioner of Employment and Economic Development, using the funds to provide a grant to 180 Degrees for the described purposes.

Significance and Policy Context

• This bill does not appear to change existing law beyond creating a one-time appropriation for the specified grant.

Fiscal Impact Summary

• One-time expenditure of $250,000 in FY2027 from the Workforce Development Fund.

Potential Impacts

• Aims to improve employment readiness and provide pathways to stable work for youths facing housing instability or homelessness.
• Seeks to reduce poverty and mitigate risks associated with exploitation and chronic instability among vulnerable youth.

Relevant Terms - Workforce Development Fund - Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) - grant - 180 Degrees - teens, youth, young adults - Hennepin County - Ramsey County - Stearns County - Carver County - Olmsted County - surrounding areas - employment readiness - exposure to career opportunities - career exploration - resume development - mock interviews - work readiness training - hope - self-sufficiency - positive career pathways - at risk of homelessness - experiencing homelessness - poverty - exploitation - chronic instability - one-time appropriation - fiscal year 2027