WIA Title I Youth Programs

ManTraCon Corporation provides youth 16-21 years of age assistance with developing and achieving career and educational goals. Services to youth are provided by contracts with Youth Service Providers and ManTraCon Youth Service Specialists.

To be eligible to receive services a youth must be between 16 and 21 years of age, low income and meet at least one of the following barriers to employment:

• School dropout (not attending any school and has not received a secondary school diploma or its equivalent)
• Basic skills deficient (math and/or reading skills at or below 8th grade on TABE assessment)
• Foster child
• Pregnant or parent
• Individual with disability, including learning disabilities
• Homeless or a runaway
• Offender
• An individual with documentation showing they require additional assistance to complete an education program, or to secure and hold employment

Services to help youth develop and achieve goals include:

• Tutoring
• Study skills training
• Alternative secondary school and GED classes
• Summer employment opportunities
• Paid and unpaid work experience
• Occupational skills training
• Leadership development
• Supportive services
• Adult mentoring
• Guidance and Counseling
• Follow up for 12 months after program completion

Current Youth Service Providers are:

• Carbondale Community High School's Rebound Program
• John A. Logan College's JEEP Program
• Hamilton Jefferson ROE's Mt. Vernon Alternative School
• United Methodist Children's Home's Youth Build Program

The Youth Council directs how local WIA youth services are delivered, selects service providers, and conducts oversight of the Youth Programs for the Southern Illinois Workforce Investment Board (SIWIB).