Out of School Youth Program FAQ's:

What does OOSY stand for?

How old do I have to be to be in OOSY?

How can I get involved in OOSY?

How do I know if I am eligible for OOSY?

In order to qualify for the program, clients MUST be meet ALL of the following statements and provide documentation for each category.

I:

• Am out of high school
• Live in the North/Northwest suburbs (cannot be a resident of the city of Chicago)

and my income falls within the following guidelines:

(If you are a dependent, you must include parents’ income; if you have a disability, you are considered a “family of one”)

You MUST ALSO be able to check and provide documentation for AT LEAST ONE of the following categories:

• A documented disability (i.e. if you were in special education classes and/or have an IEP in high school)
• Single parent or pregnant
• An ex-offender (felony or misdemeanor conviction)
• Ward of the state/In or aged out of foster care system
• Recent immigrant (within the last 3 years)
• Have not attained high school diploma/GED
• Homeless/Runaway
• Receive a score on TABE math or reading test lower than a 9.0 (can schedule a test time at the front desk)

What services does OOSY offer?

Services offered are:

• Up to 2 years of funding for approved colleges/training programs
• A front-end skills and career interest survey
• Goal-oriented career development counseling
• Job readiness and interpersonal skills training
• Job placement support and post employment support
• Paid internships to gain job experience
• One year of ongoing follow-up and support

How do I qualify for an Out of School Youth internship?

To qualify for a paid internship, you must be eligible for the OOSY program and provide proof of eligibility, you must follow through with the intake process and complete job readiness goals set by your counselor. You must also interview at the internship site and complete an orientation with your Site Supervisor and Internship Coordinator.

How much do interns get paid and how often?

Interns are paid minimum wage (currently $8.00/hr) and receive a paycheck bi-weekly. They are paid throughout their 200 hour internship experience.

How do I get funding assistance for my school?

The Out of School Youth Program has a federal grant to assist a number of youth with training dollars toward their tuition. The youth must document eligibility for the OOSY program and follow through with the initial intake and goals set by their Career Advisor. The school’s program will also have to be on the approved state list (http://iwds.cmcf.state.il.us) in order to receive a voucher. Clients will have to gain approval by a youth panel after completing a voucher packet with school and program research. In addition, a 9th grade math and reading level must be met for all training programs excluding Information Technology, where a 10th grade math and reading score is required. Vocational training will only be offered in occupations that are considered high growth (provide significant opportunity for employment) by the Department of Labor.

How long will I be in the program?

The Out of School Youth Program can last anywhere from 1 year to 5 years depending on the client’s set goals. Youth are exited from the program after they enter into permanent employment following the completion of their training program (and attainment of certification). The amount of time a client remains in the program is dependant on the length of their educational program (e.g. Bachelor’s or short-term certificate). Once a client is exited, they will receive 12 months of post-exit follow-up services to ensure job retention.