With the passage of the funding agreement a few weeks ago, Congress in now beginning to work on the budget for fiscal year 2019 (FY19). They will start by making decisions on funding levels for many job-training and workforce development programs that many local Goodwill organizations use across the country.
As Goodwill® Advocates our mission is to make sure that the federal programs used to advance the Goodwill mission are authorized and fully funded. This includes increased investments in workforce and education programs that benefit both workers and the business community. By advocating and speaking out in defense of this public spending, we personally contribute to the important mission and work of our local Goodwill organizations.
In 2016, the Goodwill network collectively connected more than 313,000 people with jobs or assisted them in earning employment through career services programs. To ensure that this success continues we must speak out to our elected officials about the federally funded programs we would like to see funded.
Here are a several key programs and investments important to the entire Goodwill network that we would like to see funded in the FY19 budget:
WIOA: The Workforce and Innovation Act (WIOA) provides workers the opportunity to develop the skills necessary for employment. Over the past several years investments in WIOA have continued to decline. We ask that Congress fully fund WIOA to ensure that states, municipalities and other community partners, like Goodwill, can bring people back into the nation’s workforce.
CTE Funding: The Carl D. Perkins Act funds secondary and postsecondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and supports the development and implementation of high-quality programs that combine rigorous academic content with occupational skills training. We ask that Congress reauthorize the Perkins Act and fully commit to funding CTE state grant programs.
Apprenticeship Programs: Apprenticeships have long been a proven path to employment. With this administration’s attention to these types of programs, we call on Congress to invest in work based learning and education programs. At the minimum Congress should invest $95 million for the Department of Labor to help them expand access to high-quality apprenticeship and work-based learning opportunities.
SCSEP: The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) assists lower income Americans, 55 and older, connect to temporary work-based learning assignments within their communities. Through these programs older adults develop new skills and work experiences that can lead to different employment opportunities. Goodwill Industries International is a national grantee of the SCSEP program and many local Goodwills provide these services in their communities.
To make sure that these programs are funded and that local Goodwills can continue to offer up these essential services, please contact your senators and representatives by visiting our legislative action center. In a matter of a few minutes and a few simple clicks, you’ll be able to ask your elected officials to fund these programs and explain why they are important to you. To write your law maker and send them a quick letter regarding FY19 funding click here.
Thank you for being a Goodwill Advocate!
