The Orange County Employment & Training Administration (“OCETA”) administers the County’s Summer Youth Employment Program (“SYEP”) Work Readiness Program funded through the New York State (“State”) Office of Temporary Disability Assistance (“OTDA”) Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (“TANF”) which combines paid work experience with work training (“Program”). The Program provides County youth between the ages of 14 and 20 from families who receive TANF benefits or that have a family income of below 200% of the federal poverty level or otherwise meet the eligibility criteria with paid summer employment (“Participants”) for up to five (5) weeks during the summer months.
The SYEP is an important platform to introduce youth into the workforce and help them acquire transferable skills applicable to entry level jobs, improve school performance and become responsible adults. Since many low-income youths face the prospect of a challenging transition to work or college, constructive workforce experiences can provide great benefits. In addition to the income it provides, experience in the workforce and interaction with working adults can help youth recognize the importance of educational achievement and expand their education and career goals. There is a financial literacy component for all Participants.
The Program runs annually during the months of July and August. It is anticipated that the 2023 Program will operate from July 5, 2023 to August 4, 2023. OCETA pays the wage and fringe costs for the Participants, paying the Participants directly. Eligible youth will be placed on the County payroll and OCETA will ensure that the successful offerors have the correct working papers for all underage youth prior to the youth starting employment.
County, on behalf of OCETA, seeks competitive proposals from eligible offerors (hereinafter also referred to as “Providers” and “Vendors”) that are interested in developing and providing a high quality, structured Program. Proposals are encouraged from for-profit, not-for-profit organizations, educational entities, and local governments. County reserves the right to award one (1) or multiple contracts under this RFP.
