The Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides funding for a summer employment program that will provide eligible youth ages 14-17 employment primarily with public sector employers. Individuals ages 18- 24 who meet program requirements can find jobs with public and private sector employers and help to transition to full- time employment with training or approved apprenticeship programs. All program participants will receive work readiness skills building.

Who is eligible for the Summer Youth Employment Program? You must be at least 14 years old and no older than 24 on the date you register for the program. You or your family must meet certain income levels. You must also meet program eligibility requirements. You must be a U.S. citizen or legal alien. If you are a male aged 18-24, you must meet Selective Service Requirements.

What are the income requirements for the program? Most of the Recovery Act funding will be applied to family incomes that meet the 70% lower living standards—that would be $14,000 for a family of 2 or $22,523 for a family of 4.

What does the Summer Youth Employment Program provide for ages 14-17? Youth ages 14-17 will work primarily for public sector employers (such as local government, non-profits or schools). There will be one supervisor for every eight participants in this age group. At least 3 hours each week will be spent on improving work readiness skills.

What does the Summer Youth Employment Program provide for ages 18-24? Individuals 18-24 will work in the public and private sectors. These participants will be encouraged to transition to full-time jobs with the help of on-the-job training, customized training or an apprenticeship program. At least 3 hours each week will be spent on improving work readiness skills.

What is the pay for jobs with the Summer Youth Employment Program? The recommended hourly rate for workers is $7.25 per hour. Those in educational components may be paid a stipend while in the classroom.

How can I find out more about the Summer Youth Employment Program? The program will be administered locally by seven WorkForce Investment regions established by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. Each region has a Workforce Investment Board that is appointed by local elected officials from the counties identified below. You can visit a local office, or call or email the contacts listed for more information.

Region 1 serves Fayette, Greenbrier, McDowell, Mercer, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocohontas, Raleigh, Summers, Webster and Wyoming counties. Contact Angela Henson (ahenson@hrdfwv.org) Phone: 304-253-5500 Fax: 304-253-3833

Region 2 serves Boone, Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, Putnam, and Wayne counties. Contact Melissa Bias (mbias@wvregion2.org) Phone: 304-429-5900 or 866-262-5348 Fax: 304-429-1715

Region 3 serves Kanawha county. Contact Charlotte Price (cprice@suddenlinkmail.com) Phone: 304-344-5760 Fax: 304-344-5762

Region 4 serves Calhoun, Clay, Jackson, Mason, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Wirt and Wood counties. Contact Gail Holleron (gail.holleron@movrc.org) Phone: 302-424-7271 Fax: 304-424-6196

Region 5 serves Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, Tyler, and Wetzel counties. Contact Kelly Zelek (npwib@yahoo.com) Phone: 304-231-1170 Fax: 304-231-1172

Region 6 serves Barbour, Braxton, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Randolph, Taylor, Tucker, and Upshur counties. Clarksburg: 304-627-2125 Elkins: 304-637-0255 Morgantown: 304-285-3120

Region 7 serves Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan and Pendleton counties. Martinsburg: Contact Larry Searcy (lsearcy@wvregion7wib.org) 304-267-9675 Moorefield: Contact Jesse Martin (jessem-09@hotmail.com) 304-530-9675

For a list of vendors for summer youth employment program,click here.