WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the availability of $12 million to develop the Job Challenge program to expand the existing National Guard Youth Challenge program to include youth once involved with the juvenile justice system. The funding will help facilitate partnerships with the justice system to recruit court-involved youth interested in participating in the program and provide them with education and training to obtain an industry-recognized credential.

“The youth unemployment rate continues to remain very high. The barriers to a good job are even higher for those with juvenile records,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. “This grant competition helps break down barriers and provides these youth with opportunities to succeed through effective, evidence-based education and job training programs.”

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