YouthWorks Request for Proposals PY'26-27

YouthWorks Request for Proposals PY'26-27 is sponsored by Commonwealth Corporation. Provides employment opportunities for youth in Massachusetts through various programs.

PROPOSALS 2026 R E L E A S E D N O V . 2 0 2 5 REQUEST FOR R E Q U E S T F O R P R O P O S A L S R E Q U E S T F O R P R O P O S A L S Bidders can submit questions and application and submit your 33 Harrison Avenue, 3rd Floor SECTION A: BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................................................................

4 Population Served ................................................................................................................................................................ 4 YouthWorks Age, Stage & Path Model .............................................................................................................................

5 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging ..................................................................................................................... 5 SECTION B: GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS .....................................................................................................................................

6 Application Process and Deadlines .................................................................................................................................. 6 Required Application Contents .........................................................................................................................................

6 Duration of Grant ................................................................................................................................................................. 6 Right to Contact Applicants for Clarification ..................................................................................................................

7 RFP Timeline & Schedule ................................................................................................................................................... 7 SECTION C: FUNDING GUIDELINES ..........................................................................................................................................

8 Eligible Applicants for Funds ............................................................................................................................................. 8 Sub-Grantees and Partners ................................................................................................................................................

8 Available Funding ................................................................................................................................................................ 8 Funding Allocation Criteria and Tier Requirements ......................................................................................................

9 Participant Wages ................................................................................................................................................................ 9 Employer Match and Partnership Guidelines ...............................................................................................................

10 Program and Resource Connections .............................................................................................................................. 10 SECTION D: PROGRAMMATIC REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................................................................

11 Core Programmatic Elements (Required for Every Participant) ................................................................................ 11 Work Readiness Training .............................................................................................................................................

11 Case Management and Wraparound Services ......................................................................................................... 12 Career Exploration Activities .......................................................................................................................................

12 Tracking Participation and Completion Requirements .............................................................................................. 13 Recruitment, Enrollment, and Placement ..................................................................................................................... 14 Commitment to Participant Wage, Safe and Appropriate Working Placements ....................................................

14 SECTION E: DATA & REPORTING REQUIREMENTS .............................................................................................................. 18 Data Entry and Reporting Deadline ................................................................................................................................. 18 Youth Participant Reporting Guidelines.

....................................................................................................................... 19 Tracking Eligibility of Participants .................................................................................................................................

21 SECTION F: FISCAL REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................................................................... 23 Expectations for Grant Administration for 2026-2027 ............................................................................................... 23 Allowable and Non-Allowable Expenditures.

................................................................................................................. 25 Focus on Participant Wage .............................................................................................................................................. 27 Appropriate balance between workforce boards and their sub-grantees ...............................................................

27 3 Financial Match Expectations ......................................................................................................................................... 27 Period of Performance. ......................................................................................................................................................

28 Publicity ............................................................................................................................................................................... 28 Fiscal Reporting and Invoicing ........................................................................................................................................

28 Fiscal Monitoring ............................................................................................................................................................... 29 SECTION G: PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND NOTIFICATION PROCESS .................................................................................

30 Proposal Evaluation and Review Process ...................................................................................................................... 30 Notification of Grant Award Status .................................................................................................................................

31 Appeals ................................................................................................................................................................................ 31 Project Terms and Conditions .........................................................................................................................................

31 APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................................................................. 32 4 YouthWorks is a state-funded (line item 7002-0012) youth employment program that helps teens and young adults gain the skills and experience needed to begin their career journey.

The Program is offered through the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and administered statewide by the Commonwealth Corporation.

The anticipated outcome is to provide young people with the skills, experience, and networks to be able to secure employment in the unsubsidized labor market in critical areas of the economy including but not limited to advanced manufacturing, health care, information technology, and construction. Glossary of Terms and Acronyms For additional definitions, please refer to the YouthWorks PY26-27 FAQ available on the YouthWorks RFP page.

CommCorp Commonwealth Corporation. Cycle 1 Summer programming period. Cycle 2 Year-round (school-year) programming period.

Hub (YouthWorks Hub) The data management platform used to record youth profile information, eligibility documentation, participation records, and worksites. Lead entity/grantee The organization contracted by CommCorp to deliver YouthWorks programming. This is the organization applying to receive YouthWorks funds.

Letter of Intent (LOI): A document submitted prior to the full application indicating intent to apply. LMS (Learning Management System) The online platform used to complete Signal Success modules and track attendance. Signal Success The required work readiness curriculum for all YouthWorks participants.

Alternative curriculum must be pre-approved by Commonwealth Corporation. Sub-grantee/Partner: The entity contracted by lead entity to collaborate or implement specific services. These two terms (sub-grantee/partner) are used interchangeably.

Participants of this program are 14- 25 years old who are at risk of falling into chronic unemployment through lack of exposure to employment opportunities, experience, mentorship, and 5 access to opportunity. All YouthWorks participants must meet four eligibility requirements: Age, Income (low-income), at least one Risk/Demographic Factor 1, and Geographic Residence.

(See Section E for detailed descriptions and documentation requirements) YouthWorks Age, Stage & Path Model The YouthWorks Age, Stage & Path Model is grounded in developmental career theory, which recognizes that self-concept evolves throughout one’s lifetime, and that career development is shaped by experience, identity, and life stages.

1 By aligning program tiers with both age and stage of experience, Youthworks ensures that participants receive support, training, and experiences that meet them where they are. This allows flexibility for youth whose maturity, experience, or readiness may not align neatly with their chronological age. YouthWorks consists of four tiers that align with youth participant ’s age and stage of development.

Tier 1 - Service and Project-Based Learning 14 –15-year-old participants Youth with little to no work experience and/or no career path in mind. Tier 2 - Early and Career Trajectory Experiences 16 –17-year-old participants Youth with no job history or one prior job, open to exploring career paths.

Tier 3 - Career Pathway Training and Support 18 –21-year-old participants Youth with some work experience who are intent on a specific career path. Tier 4 -Credentialing & Certification 22 –25-year-old participants Young adults committed to exploring a career path offered in their region.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging As a recognized leader in workforce development, Commonwealth Corporation is deeply committed to embedding Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) into every facet of our work. This commitment is reflected not only in the programs and services we deliver but also in the people we serve, the partnerships we nurture, and the culture we cultivate within our organization.

> 1Risk/Demographic factors include being a member of the LGBTQ+ community; a Person of Color; from a single-income household; experiencing housing insecurity; identifying as having a disability; or other youth determined eligible by Commonwealth Corporation, including those involved with the justice system (e.g., DYS-committed, on juvenile probation, gang-involved, CRS, or juvenile arrest), actively in or aged out of foster care, a school stop-out, a child of a single parent, having limited English fluency, or being a teen parent.

6 ## SECTION B: GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS Application Process and Deadlines Applicants must submit a letter of intent by Monday, December 15 th , 2025, at 11:59pm via the Letter of Intent Portal to be considered for funding. All applications must be received by the Commonwealth Corporation by January 13 th , 2026, at 11:59pm via the PY26-27 YouthWorks Application Portal.

• The online application portal will be available starting November 19 th , 2025 • All required attachments must be attached to your submission.

• Regions intending to use alternative work readiness curriculum must upload required documentation to secure approval • Applications that do not adequately describe activities within the scope of work included in this document may require revision to be eligible for funding • The lead entity, the MassHire Workforce Board, must apply on behalf of the region to receive program funds.

• Programs should submit questions for response via the PY26-27 Youthworks RFP Question Form by December 3rd, 2025 o Questions may be accepted after this time, but questions submitted during this period will be given priority for response.

Required Application Contents The following parts make up the required components of the Grant Application Package • Completed Work Plan Template, including all required tabs: Program Summary, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, Staffing Plan) • Alternative Curriculum Application Materials (if not using Signal Success) • Completed Program Budget.

• Completed Fiscal Readiness/Capacity Survey • Fiscal Policy and Procedures Guide (if updated since last submission) • Organization’s W9 (for the contracting organization, updated within the past 12 months) • Employee Handbook (if updated since last submission) • Organizational Chart (if updated since last submission) Funds must be used in Program Year (PY) 2026-2027 to prepare for and support youth and young adult training and employment programs between June 22, 2026, and June 30, 2027 .

Project expenses related to instructional/training staff, training equipment/supplies, employer outreach, case management and other activities are authorized to begin on the start date listed on the contract, or in the event of delayed signing, as of the date a contract is signed.

• Cycle 1 Period (June 22, 2026 – August 31, 2026): Programs must be designed to provide each participant with a minimum of 40 program hours of program activity between June 22, 2026, and August 30, 2026. • Cycle 2 Period (September 9, 2026 – June 30, 2027): Programs must be designed to provide each participant with a minimum of 40 program hours of program activity between September 9, 2026, and June 30, 2027.

7 o Note: Participants who are 17 and under may work only within the limits established by Massachusetts and federal child labor laws for both school days and non-school days (see embedded link). Recognizing not all programs operate at full capacity all year, we require programs to identify beginning and ending dates for cohort programming and provide those details within their work plan.

Right to Contact Applicants for Clarification Commonwealth Corporation reserves the right to contact applicants for clarification or negotiation, to extend or revise any deadline, and to reject or accept any proposals in whole or part, if deemed to be in the best interest of the YouthWorks program. The Commonwealth Corporation may negotiate the terms of the contract before issuing the award.

Request for Proposals Information Session November 18 th , 2025 Request for Proposals Released November 19 th , 2025 Application Portal Opens November 19 th , 2025 Priority Deadline to Submit Written Questions December 3 rd ,2025 Responses to written questions posted to website December 12 th , 2025 Letter of Intent Due December 15 th , 2025 Application Responses Due January 13 th , 2026 (Anticipated) Application Status Notification March 2nd, 2026 (Anticipated) Contract Start April 1st, 2026 Worksites Entries into CC YouthWorks Hub June 22nd, 2026, or a week to region’s program start date ( Cycle Data Entry Completion Deadline • Cycle 1: September 15 th , 2026 • Cycle 2: July 15 th , 2027 • February 15th, 2027 (Progress Report) Contract End June 30 th , 2027 Questions related to the application process can be emailed to: youthworks@commcorp.

org 8 ## SECTION C: FUNDING GUIDELINES Eligible Applicants for Funds To preserve continuity and maximize opportunities for lasting program improvements, the lead applicant(s) should be the same lead from previous YouthWorks programming years. Lead applicants (Mass Hire Boards) are responsible for ensuring that their sub-grantees and partners focus on services to cities or communities with high poverty and unemployment rates.

However, any participant from the workforce investment region who meets the eligibility guidelines may participate fully in the programming. Sub-Grantees and Partners Sub-grantees/partners are cities, organizations or other entities that are formally identified in the grant application and contract to provide program services.

These are distinct from worksites, which are the individual employers where participants complete work experiences. While an organization may serve as both a sub-grantee and a worksite, only sub-grantees and partners are contracted directly under this grant and are required to submit budgets for grant activity.

Sub-grantees and partners may: • Serve as intermediaries and brokers to recruit employers and youth, or • provide a gap-filling service to support program goals Eligible entities include community-based organizations, public agencies, qualified faith-based organizations, One-Stop Career Centers, non-profit youth serving organizations, or other entities whose mission and population served align with the YouthWorks grant program.

Regions that sub-contract with other organizations must specify their sub-grantees or partners in their application and keep this information current. Note: • Notify your assigned Regional Support Manager in writing if revisions are needed. • Commonwealth Corporation reserves the right to reject any change to programming or budgets that does not reflect the original proposal.

• Lead applicants must work together with their local partners to design effective programs that meet the needs of local participants. Commonwealth Corporation anticipates up to $14,400,000 in total funding across the state to serve approximately 3,000 youth statewide.

Funding awarded will be for the use of the entire program year (Cycles 1 and 2), inclusive of planning, outreach, recruitment, enrollment, and delivery of program activities beginning April 1st, 2026. Cycle 1 programming will take place June 22, 2026 – August 30, 2026, with Cycle 2 beginning September 9, 2026 – June 30, 2027.

The April programming start date is in support of training for Peer Leaders and hiring of supporting program staff. Funding will support placements and programming that take place virtually, in-person or hybrid, which will be decided by regions. This funding will be based on allocated amounts per region.

Please see the regional breakdown below: > MassHire Region Proposed PY 26-27 Allocation Funding Allocation Criteria and Tier Requirements Funding allocations are determined based on multiple factors, including but not limited to program scope, historical performance, statistical analysis of eligible population, and geographic coverage.

As a new threshold for this funding cycle, programs are expected to serve a minimum number of participant tiers based on their funding level. 1. $500,000 or less: Regions receiving $500,000 or less are expected to serve at least one participant tier among Tiers 1-3.

2. $500,001 - $1,000,000 : Regions receiving above $500,000 but under $1,000,000 must serve at least two participant tiers among Tiers 1-4 and offer both Cycle 1 and 2 programming. 3.

Over $1,000,000: Regions receiving more than $1,000,000 are expected to serve at least three participant tiers among Tiers 1-4 and offer both Cycle 1 and 2 programming. Allocation Range Minimum Tiers Served Description > $500,000 or less At least 1 tier Expected to serve at least one participant tier among Tiers 1-3.

> $500,001 - $1,000,000 At least 2 tiers Expected to serve at least two participant tiers among Tiers 1-4 and offer both Cycle 1 and 2 programming. > Over $1,000,000 At least 3 tiers Expected to deliver services to at least three participant tiers among Tiers 1-4 and offer both Cycle 1 and 2 programming.

The YouthWorks program will continue to provide participants with wages ranging from a base of $15/hr (MA minimum wage) up to $20/hr across all tiers.

The Maximum Allowable Combined Incentive, Stipend, and Wage Expense (per participant) for the program year are below: 10 All programs must apply a consistent wage structure for participants within the same cohort; for example, all participants in the same cohort must receive the same hourly wage.

Note: • Peer leaders may be paid a higher rate within the approved wage range to reflect their additional leadership responsibilities • Any region that anticipates paying over $20/hr. or exceeding the maximum combined stipend and wage limit must obtain written approval from Commonwealth Corporation prior to the start of programming.

These figures exclude fringe, participant support services, and support service stipend Employer Match and Partnership Guidelines Lead agencies are highly encouraged to strengthen employer relationships and leverage non-public sector investments to enhance worksite placements and expand wage matching opportunities beyond the required 10% fiscal match.

Increased matching efforts will be a focus of monitoring and technical assistance in the upcoming program year.

Furthermore, Commonwealth Corporation encourages applicants to: • Leverage regional partners & engage employers whose mission aligns with YouthWorks goals, expand recruitment in high-growth industries identified in their Regional Workforce Blueprints and Commonwealth priorities by the Healey-Driscoll Administration (including life sciences, health care, human services, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing).

2 • Collaborate with Chapter 74 approved vocational-technical programs; 3schools participating in MA College and Career Pathway Initiatives community colleges; public agencies; employers; and community-based organizations focused on workforce development. • Make connections to an academic interest, of their target populations (e.g., climate and clean energy; language arts; numeracy; STEM).

o Strategically pair cycle 1 and 2 programming so YouthWorks participants can experience a sustained and progressively sequenced set of work and learning experiences.

Failure to provide sufficient employer or non-public sector match in a timely manner may be considered by Commonwealth Corporation as a cause for disallowing expenses in the current year's contract and/or a factor in establishing award levels for the following year’s YouthWorks program.

Program and Resource Connections YouthWorks grantees are encouraged to leverage and braid funding with other state and local workforce initiatives such as Connecting Activities (CA), Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to maximize their impact. Examples of these collaborations include: • Working with CA staff in local high schools to provide information about YouthWorks.

• Providing student support staff with YW enrollment materials; where feasible, support the transition of YW participants into CA school programming so that schools can be deliberate about capturing program experiences in college and career planning. > 2Regional Workforce Blueprints | Mass. gov > 3https://www.

doe. mass. edu/ccte/cvte/cte-families/default.

html 11 ## SECTION D: PROGRAMMATIC REQUIREMENTS Programs must align implementation with the YouthWorks program model and meet all core programmatic requirements outlined in this section. The Tier Overview Table and Programmatic Element Responsibility Matrix summarize required components.

All Youthworks funded programs are required to: • Deliver services consistent with the age, stage, and path model o Participants should generally be placed in the tier that aligns to their age. If during intake, it is determined that a participant stage does not align with their age; programs may place them where they will benefit most.

o Regions facing enrollment challenges must report these during monthly check-ins and work with Commonwealth Corporation staff to adjust strategies or contracts as needed. o Regions with high demand should maintain a documented waitlist. • Meet or exceed the minimum required program hours and curriculum standards by tier.

o Programs may design different schedules across cycles so far participants complete the required minimum hours per cycle (See Section C: Funding Guidelines for participant wage ranges and limits) • Comply with the case management, data entry, and program delivery expectations described below and in section E.

Core Programmatic Elements (Required for Every Participant) Each YouthWorks program must provide the following core elements for every participant: 1. Work Readiness Training 2. Career Exploration Activities 3.

Case Management and Wraparound Support Services. All YouthWorks participants must complete a work readiness training component that develops employability skills necessary to succeed in Massachusetts’ evolving economy. This component is fulfilled through Signal Success or an approved alternative curriculum .

• Signal Success Work Readiness Curriculum: Participants in programs that utilize Signal Success must complete a minimum of 10 hours of training. The curriculum is divided into tiers that are consistent with YouthWorks’ Age and Stage model. Each tier consists of ten modules that take approximately one hour to complete.

It is highly recommended that applicants design their programming to include all modules within a tier. o The Signal Success training curriculum can be delivered virtually, hybrid, or in-person. Virtual self-paced modules are available for Tiers 1-3 in English and Spanish.

Tier 4 is only offered in-person and is not available in Spanish. o All modules can be accessed through the YouthWorks Learning Management System (LMS).

To ensure a consistent and progressive YouthWorks experience, Commonwealth Corporation will provide access to all instructor-led curriculum training materials for the four Tiers of Signal Success instruction: ▪ Signal Success: Tier 1 (Starting off Strong) ▪ Signal Success: Tier 2 (Build a Professional Self) ▪ Signal Success: Tier 3 (Crafting a Career Path) ▪ Signal Success: Tier 4 (Emerging into Career and Career Management) 12 o Participants who have completed all modules within a given tier are still required to complete at least 10 hours of Signal Success learning.

▪ Programs may provide a refresher of prior Tier topics or use materials from other Tiers. ▪ Training can further be adapted to meet each participant’s ongoing development needs at a program's discretion. • Alternative Curriculum option : Programs may use an approved alternative curriculum in place of the Signal Success curriculum provided by Commonwealth Corporation.

Participants in these programs must complete a minimum of 10 hours of training that meets the criteria outlined below: o Includes all Signal Success Key Skills/Level Up Skills o Includes content for all ages and stages of participants served o Includes an assessment component that checks for understanding o Includes a way to collect and report participant feedback • Regardless of the curriculum used or delivery method, all attendance must be entered into the Learning Management System (LMS).

• It is recommended that regions enter their participant information in the YouthWorks Hub as soon as possible prior to the start of programming to ensure timely participant access to the LMS.

Case Management and Wraparound Services Commonwealth Corporation defines case management as participant-centered approach in the delivery of individualized career services designed to develop comprehensive employment plans for participants, assist participants to overcome barriers to employment, ensure access to the necessary training and supportive services that impart relevant skills and connect participants with high-quality career opportunities, and provide support during program participation and after job placement.

Each contracted and sub-contracted site is required to provide advocacy and support to program participants by conducting needs assessments, developing customized success plans, and monitoring and evaluating participant progress on a regular basis. In addition, each site should maintain an active list of resources and referrals to other wrap-around support services and networks that participants can access when needed.

Case Management should occur throughout a participant’s engagement with the program.

Programs are encouraged to keep a detailed log of communication between participant and program support especially indicating multiple efforts to communicate with a participant around subjects such as timesheet completion, completed program hours, additional program opportunities, etc. Career Exploration Activities Commonwealth Corporation defines career exploration as structured activities that expose young people to workplace environments, industries, and career paths through hands-on, simulated, or work-based experiences.

These include summer jobs, internships, service-learning projects, project-based learning, or other work-based placements that are designed to build transferable skills and gain insights into potential career pathways. 13 Service-Learning Projects (Quality Hybrid and Virtual) Service-learning projects can offer younger participants foundational work skills through substantive and well-structured work-based learning experience.

Traditionally in-person, many of these projects can be translated to virtual or hybrid projects alongside learning. Increased mentoring and support are essential components when structuring a service-learning project for implementation, especially virtual and/or hybrid projects.

Work-based Learning Placements (Online, Hybrid, and In-Person) Work-based learning is the foundation of the Early and Career Trajectory Experiences (Tiers 2 & 3) and a core element across all YouthWorks tiers. Commonwealth Corporation defines WBL as structured experiences that integrate classroom instruction with real-world work opportunities.

Placements match participants with subsidized jobs that build transferable skills and reflect the rigor of paid employment. While traditionally, these placements are conducted entirely in-person, many can translate into strong online and hybrid options. Regions are encouraged to use existing Work-Based Learning (WBL) tools from other programs to support and document placements.

Peer leadership roles provide opportunities for returning and/or older participants to practice leadership and project management skills, while also serving as peer mentors to younger participants. Programs are strongly encouraged to recruit and support at least one peer leader for every 12 projected participants. The peer leaders can support staff implementation tasks while also benefiting from the learning components of the program.

The earlier June start date of programming has been incorporated into programming regions to provide support and guidance to Peer Leaders before summer programming launches later in the summer. Tier-Aligned Career Exploration Activities All participants must take part in at least one of these, but they may also participate in more than one.

Programs should make every attempt to align approach by participant need and tier: • Tier 1: Service-based learning, Sector-Aligned Project-Based Learning • Tier 2 : Subsidized Work Placements, Sector-Aligned Project Based Learning, Peer Leadership • Tier 3: Subsidized Work Placements, Sector-Aligned Project Based Learning, Peer Leadership • Tier 4: Subsidized/Career Specific Work Placements, Peer Leadership Regions are encouraged to use work-based learning tools (such as the Massachusetts Work-based Learning Plan) and similar frameworks to document and assess participant skill development.

Tracking Participation and Completion Requirements All participants must be paid for work and training hours, including orientation hours, using grant funds. Participants who engage in both Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 may be counted toward the region’s participant target for each cycle and must be entered in the YouthWorks Hub as two separate participation records.

• Program Completer: To be considered a program completer, participants must complete all required components of their assigned program design, totaling a minimum of 40 total 14 programmatic hours. These hours must include 10 work readiness training hours (Signal Success or approved alternative curriculum) and other work-based learning activities (such as service-based learning, work placement, project-based learning).

Completion must be evidenced by data entered in the YouthWorks Hub, including the required fields. 4 • Program Non-completer : Participants who complete at least one (1) hour of programming but do not meet the 40-hour minimum or fail to complete all program components are considered enrolled participants/ non-completers.

These participants must still be entered into the YouthWorks Hub, with the Overall Program Completion status field marked appropriately based on their circumstances.

This applies to all participants enrolled during Cycle 1 Period (June 22, 2026 – August 30, 2026) and those enrolled in Cycle 2 Period (September 9, 2026 – June 30, 2027) • Programs should support participants with flexible schedules that offer opportunities for substantial skill gain without interfering with educational requirements for in-school youth, including summer school.

o For example, a Tier 1 or Tier 2 participant might benefit from a shorter-term experience (e.g., a 10-week program averaging four to five (4-5) hours per week) during Cycle 1, whereas an older out-of-school Tier 3 participant may engage throughout the full Cycle 2 period, averaging more than 10 hours a week, based on program design and learning goals.

• Peer Leaders enrolled between June 2026 – June 30, 2027: Peer leaders must also complete at least 40 program hours. Programs need to be mindful to support participants with feasible schedules that offer opportunities for substantial skill gain without interfering with educational requirements for in-school youth.

Recruitment, Enrollment, and Placement • Recruitment and Enrollment: Recruitment processes should assess potential participants’ fit for the program in terms of interests and skills. Additionally, programs should think through how each of these components will be accomplished differently for virtual, in-person, and hybrid programming.

o Every YouthWorks participant must have a signed confidentiality release form, photo and media release form, and data-sharing agreement on file . These forms authorize the release of participant record data, including Social Security Numbers.

▪ For organizations who do not already collect this information in their standard intake process, a template for these releases and agreements will be provided by Commonwealth Corporation upon request and prior to contract start. o Grantees are responsible for collecting, retaining, and securely storing these documents in accordance with their own organizational policies and procedures.

Documentation must be available to Commonwealth Corporation upon request. Commitment to Participant Wage, Safe and Appropriate Working Placements All subsidized placements in the YouthWorks program must include an hourly wage no less than the Massachusetts minimum wage of $15. 00/hr.

All hourly wages must align with the tiered wage ranges provided. > 4Required fields can be found in the YouthWorks Technical User Guide 15 • Prior to the start of participants engaging at a worksite, site supervisors must provide comprehensive orientation including but not limited to the use of safety equipment and any tools/equipment which will be used by participants.

• Programs must pay an hourly wage or provide a stipend for participation in all programming components. Programs should make every effort to maximize the financial benefits offered to participants through wages, stipends, and appropriate program incentives.

• Whether participants are visiting a worksite for a few hours or are placed there for the whole program, all work sites must be safe and appropriate spaces for all program participants. All programs must have clear and participant-friendly support policies to prevent harassment in the workplace and address any issues that may arise.

• Worksites should post Child Labor Laws, when appropriate, and ensure participants are aware of workers’ rights. • Worksites sponsored by faith-based organizations may not engage participants in activities that are religious in nature. Note: All participants taking part in work placements must have a valid work permit.

Programs are encouraged to minimize barriers to participation so all participants can fully engage. Program funds (Participant Support Services line item) may be used to increase accessibility, including providing access to technology or addressing other identified barriers. 16 Tier Details $15/hr (MA minimum wage) up to $20 across all tiers.

See more info on mass labor laws for youth: work Target Participant Background Work Readiness Training (minimum 10 hours) Tier 1 – Service & Project Based Learning • Cycle 1 (Summer): minimum 40hrs Youth with little work experience and/or no career path in mind. Build foundational work-readiness through service-learning, project-based experiences, and early exposure to the workplace.

• Case management & wraparound services • Service-learning or intro work placements • Project-based learning initiatives Tier 2 – Early & Career Trajectory Experience • Cycle 1 (Summer): minimum 40hrs Youth with no job history or one prior job, open to exploring career paths. Explore career options, transferable skills, personal branding, and early leadership roles.

• Case management & wraparound services • Career exploration through civic engagement • Transferable skills & personal branding • Career pathway planning Tier 3 – Career Pathway Training & Support • Cycle 1 (Summer): minimum 40hrs Youth with some work experience who are intent on a specific career path. Access certifications, mentorship, resume/interview prep, and aligned job placements.

• Case management & wraparound services • Industry certification pathways (e.g., Trades) • Mentorship & pre-apprenticeship • Resume building & interview preparation • Job placement with career alignment • Best Practice (optional): Industry aligned credential Credentialing & Certification Young adults committed to exploring a career path offered in their region.

Transition into the workforce with advanced credentials, peer mentorship, and sustained career support. • Case management & wraparound services • Industry certifications & mentorship • Interview preparation & practice • Professional resume & branding • CPR/First Aid or industry credential • Optional: WIOA-aligned training 17 Table D. 2: YouthWorks Programmatic Roles, Responsibilities, and