Youth Employment Initiative

The Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) Request for Proposals (RFP) is a collaborative effort by Epidaurus, operating as Amity Foundation, the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), and the California Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR) in Sacramento County. This initiative seeks to fund community-based organizations that can provide critical services for justice-involved youth with disabilities. The core mission alignment is to facilitate the reintegration of these young individuals into their communities through meaningful employment opportunities, thereby addressing the unique challenges they face and empowering them to overcome barriers to success. The primary target beneficiaries of the YEI are justice-involved youth with disabilities residing in Sacramento County. The overarching impact goal is to successfully transition these youth into stable employment and active community participation. This will be achieved by enabling them to acquire essential job skills, develop self-advocacy, and navigate educational and professional pathways, ultimately fostering long-term success and reducing recidivism. The YEI prioritizes the delivery of six core services: Job Exploration Counseling, Work-Based Learning Experiences, Postsecondary Counseling, Workplace Readiness Training, Self-Advocacy Training, and Job Placement and Retention Services. These services are designed to provide a comprehensive support system, from career exploration and skill development to job placement and ongoing support. A strong focus is placed on practical, hands-on learning and the development of both hard and soft skills crucial for workplace success, along with empowering youth to advocate for their needs. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of justice-involved youth with disabilities securing and retaining meaningful employment, as well as a greater percentage enrolling in postsecondary education or vocational programs. Measurable results will likely involve tracking participation rates in each of the six core services, employment rates pre- and post-program, job retention rates over specified periods, and improvements in self-advocacy skills. While the document doesn't explicitly detail Amity Foundation's strategic priorities or theory of change, the initiative itself demonstrates a strategic commitment to workforce development and community reintegration for vulnerable youth, operating under a theory that holistic support and practical skill-building lead to sustained employment and positive societal contributions.