Establishes the New York state service corps, relates to the New York state service corps - health services track; repealer

This legislation also expands the current state conservation corps program to include additional focuses on green jobs and revitalization among other purposes, and connects these programs to the Service Corps umbrella.

Section three reinstates the health service corps program for recent graduates in various health professions, and coordinates these through the Service Corps, under the supervision of the Department of Health.

Justification

Service corps programs can support job training and readiness across the state. The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) showed what could be achieved through government support for work experience and training during a time of economic hardship. WPA programs, including the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), National Youth Administration, and others provided training and experience to millions of Americans otherwise facing unemployment, and the work performed by members of such programs improved infrastructure, restored landmarks, maintained parks and supported public art projects in almost every major community in the country.{1} At its peak, the CCC alone provided jobs and training to over 500,000 people at 2,600 sites across the country.{2}

Programs around the country have built on this tradition by providing youth and others with experience and job training in support of public goals:

Nationwide, the Americorps program engages youth, seniors, and others in local service projects through funding provided to local nonprofits to take on service members and through team-based, residential service programs for youth.{3}

YouthBuild is a national initiative in which youth facing challenges finding work gain construction experience building affordable housing, while receiving job training and pursuing a GED.{4}

The National Health Service Corps provides loan repayment, scholarships, and job placement assistance to health care practitioners to facilitate increased access to health care in underserved areas.{5}

In the 1970s and 80s, programs like the Youth Conservation Corps gave youth opportunities for summer jobs on federally managed lands; some states (but historically not New York) continued these programs even after federal programs ended, allowing youth to gain work experience and training while improving and restoring trails and nature preserves.{6} Recognizing the promise of these initiatives, New York has just launched the Excelsior Conservation Corps.{7}

Private organizations like ReServe{8} show how a "service corps" model can also work to re-engage seniors and more experienced workers looking to re-enter the workforce.

These programs have allowed thousands of participants to jumpstart job and career training while contributing to public goals.

Research shows that work-based learning and training programs that combine job skills and training help participants progress toward future jobs and careers.{9} A recent nationwide, federally-funded study of unemployed people showed volunteer service associated with 27% increased odds of finding employment.{10} Studies of youth corps programs have shown programs increasing earnings and employment, especially directly after the program, and high satisfaction and increased work experience among participants.{11} Recent research has highlighted strategies, such as focusing on certificate attainment, partnering with unions for training opportunities, and tying training content to employer needs, that programs can employ to enhance their impact on increasing job readiness and future education and employment attainment.{12}

In New York, the Hudson Valley Corps,{13} Adirondack Corps,{14} and the Governor's new Excelsior Conservation Corps{15} together provide opportunities to 118 young people each year to receive job training and work experience performing service projects in New York State's parks and natural environment. In New York City, Green City Force provides youth aged 18 to 24 who are unemployed or in dead end jobs the opportunity for a full-time work and training experience focused on green jobs.{16} Since its founding in 2009, the program has enrolled 300 participants and achieved an 80 graduation rate and 80, placement in employment or college.{17}

A statewide service corps -- including a conservation or green corps, health and early childhood corps, arts corps,{18} and other tracks - can build on these examples to provide increased job training, work experience and other benefits to interested participants statewide while facilitating important public service goals.{19}

Legislative history

New

Fiscal implications

Minimal

Effective date

One-hundred and twenty days after becoming a law. {1} See, e.g., Encyclopedia of American History, 7th Ed., Jeffrey B. Morris and Richard B. Morris, eds., 1996. {2} Jastrzab, J., Blomquist, J., Masker, J., and Orr, L. Youth Corps: Promising Strategies for YoungPeople and Their Communities. Prepared for the Corporation for National Service. Cambridge, MA: Abt Associates Inc. 1996. {3} See Corporation for National & Community Service. "Americorps." Available at http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps. {4} See YouthBuild. "About Us." Available at https://www.youthbuild.org/about-youthbuild. {5} See U.S. Dep't of Health and Human Services. National Health Service Corps, Loan Repayment and Scholarships. Available at http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/index.html and http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/scholarships/index.html. {6} See, e.g., California Conservation Corps, Maryland Conservation Corps, Washington Conservation Corps. A summary of state and local service corps programs can be found at http://www.corpsnetwork.org/impact/corps-bystate. {7} New York's new Excelsior Conservation Corps is now accepting applications for 50 spots in its 2016 class. See https://www.ny.gov/programs/new-york-state-excelsior-conservation- corps. {8} See ReServe. "About Us." Available at http://reserveinc.org/about. {9} U.S. Department of Labor. "What Works In Job Training: A Synthesis of the Evidence." 22 Jul. 2014. {10} Spera, C.; Gherther, R., Nerino, A., DiTommaso, A. (2013). Volunteering as a Pathway to Employment: Does Volunteering Increase Odds of Finding a Job for the Out of Work? Corporation for National and Community Service, Office of Research and Evaluation: Washington, DC, 2013. {11} Jastrzab, J., Blomquist, J., Masker, J., and Orr, L. Youth Corps: Promising Strategies for YoungPeople and Their Communities. Prepared for the Corporation for National Service. Cambridge, MA: Abt Associates Inc. 1996. {12} Gan, K.N., Jastrzab, J., Jefferson, A., Schneider, G., and Shlager, C. Youth Corps Emerging Practices for Education and Employment. Prepared for the Corporation for National and Community Service. Cambridge, MA: Abt Associates Inc. 2011. {13} The Student Conservation Association. "Hudson Valley Corps." Available at https://www.thesca.org/serve/program/hudson-valky-corps. {14} The Student Conservation Association. "Adirondack Corps." Available at https://www.thesca.org/serveprogram/ adirondack-corps. {15} "Programs: The New York State Excelsior Conservation Corps." Available at https://www.ny.gov;programs/new-york-state-excelsior-conservation- corps. {16} During a six- or eleventh-month program, participants perform green service projects such as energy audits, energy efficiency outreach, or installation of cool roofs, and concurrently receive employer-driven training in clean energy or sustainability fields, leading to certification for work in those fields. Green City Force. "Welcome to Green City Force" and "Join Us." Available at http://www.greencityforce.org/ and http://www.greencityforce.org/clean-energy-corps,join-us/. {17} Green City Force. "Impact." Available at http://www.greencityforce.org/about-us/impact/. {18} See Americans for the Arts. "National Service and the Arts." Available at http://www.americansforthearts.org/byprogram/reports-and-data/ legislation-policy/legislative-issue-center/national-service-and- the-arts. {19} A broader statewide commitment to service would build on initiatives like the federal Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Obama in 2009 to increase the benefits for those participating in Americorps and related programs and encourage broader national volunteering.