Oct 17 Newsletter — Day 17 of a Government Shutdown
Let’s Catch Up
The federal government is on its seventeenth day of a shutdown while the House is in recess, and the Senate did not pass the House’s continuing resolution (CR) on Thursday. That CR from the House would have extended funding through November 21 but excluded all healthcare subsidies that are critical to many Americans. In the second week of the shutdown, the Administration announced a Reduction in Force (RIF) for over 450 employees at the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and thousands more across other agencies. The mass firings essentially dissolved ED’s Offices of Elementary and Secondary Education and Special Education Programs. As it currently stands, a judge ordered the firing to be temporarily halted and required additional information from each agency be provided.
When the federal government shut down on October 1, the ripple effects quickly reached the programs that reconnect young people to education, training, and work. We know that reconnection for Opportunity Youth requires reliable funding, purposeful policy, and sustained momentum. In this moment, that foundation is under even more strain than usual.
Already, youth workforce funding is at risk. Programs under WIOA Youth, YouthBuild, and related support depend on federal dollars that, in a shutdown, cannot be newly obligated. That means local providers, many of which operate on razor-thin margins, face delayed reimbursements and paused grant renewals. Young people waiting to enter training or employment may find slots shrinking or programs deferred, not because need has diminished, but because money is trapped in gridlock.
Even the most promising and bipartisan policy areas, like youth apprenticeships, feel frozen. Agencies managing apprenticeship grants and technical support were forced to reduce their capacity; new competitive grants are postponed; evaluation and reporting take a backseat. In the early childhood field, for example, apprenticeships designed to build a pipeline of skilled caregivers rely on both program funding and employer contributions. But when federal oversight ebbs, these models are harder to sustain.
As these disruptions mount, the risks cascade. Young people who are making steady progress in education attainment and workforce development programs may lose access to training, mentorship, or placement support.
This shutdown is not just a pause in government operations in DC; it’s a test of how durable our commitments to Opportunity Youth truly are. When funding freezes, policy reform halts, innovation becomes impossible, and the young people seeking economic mobility are among the first to feel the consequences. We at RYC believe reconnection cannot wait. The systems that support youth must be resilient, even when politics aren’t. Their future should not depend on the timing of a budget deal.
Follow along with real-time updates on the government shutdown from The Corps Network (TCN).
Applications Open for the Opportunity Youth Congressional Liaison Program!
The Opportunity Youth Congressional Liaison Program (OYCL) is a three-month paid fellowship for youth ages 16 to 26 to equip them with the skills and tools they need to directly advocate to lawmakers. Congressional Liaisons will join virtual trainings, participate in short assignments and check-ins, and share their experiences with each other as they learn to be advocates for themselves and their communities, speaking up on behalf of Opportunity Youth to hold politicians accountable to the communities they serve. Learn more and access the application here.
This virtual, part-time program was designed with and for Opportunity Youth to level up their advocacy skills and connect to others working for more equitable access to opportunity.
What is the time commitment? We anticipate Congressional Liaisons will spend approximately 30-hours on this project between the online trainings and assignments.
When and where do the sessions take place? This is a virtual program, and most trainings will be in the evenings, Eastern time.
What is the compensation? Congressional Liaisons will receive $2,500 through the course of the program upon completion of assignments. You will also receive a $500 bonus once you complete your meeting with your member of congress or congressional staffer.
The deadline to apply for the program is NOVEMBER 15th! The program is open to current or former Opportunity Youth aged up to age 26 (Opportunity Youth are young people who have been disconnected from both school and work).
Resource Center
Career Pathways to Success: Supporting Young Adults in Education and Employment
The Anne E. Casey Foundation invests in efforts to equip OY with the skills, credentials, and experiences needed to prepare for placement in their first job, gain experience, and grow their careers. This report highlights key strategies that Casey and its partners have implemented to help young people navigate transitions from school to work.
A Message from The Corps Network’s Government Relations Team: Planning for Government Shutdown
This blog from The Corps Network (TCN) will be updated in real time to share new information about the government shutdown, impacts on programs, and what to expect next.
Please fill out this action alert from Young Invincibles to tell Congress to extend the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits.
The Forum for Youth Investment (Forum) discusses the major impact of a government shutdown on youth and young adults.
What You Need to Know About a Federal Government Shutdown
The National Network for Youth (NN4Y) outlines how a government shutdown will impact youth homelessness programs and shares links to additional resources on the shutdown.
Young Invincibles responds to the government shutdown.
At the end of July the Forum for Youth Investment’s Opportunity Youth Congressional Liaison cohort traveled to DC to meet their members of Congress and directly engage in advocacy. Hear from program member Jasalyn Franco about her experience.
Monthly Opportunity Youth Policy Stakeholders Meeting
For all those with important perspectives to share and a willingness to engage in federal advocacy and implementation, but for whom weekly meetings would be overkill, we will host monthly meetings that cover the content from both meetings above (advocacy and implementation), briefing participants on key developments, soliciting views and priorities, and providing meaningful opportunities to engage. These meetings are designed particularly for organizations whose work is not primarily federal advocacy, but whose voices are critical to ensure federal efforts meet their needs, for example, Aspen Opportunity Youth Forum sites, LEAP sites, and NLC Reengagement Network participants.
Meetings are held on the last Monday of each month at 4pm (EST). Register here.
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