What are the responsibilities and job description for the Illinois Youth Improvement Program (IYIP) Participant position at ROCKFORD PARK DISTRICT?
The Illinois Youth Investment Program (IYIP) is a multi-faceted approach to youth employment that invests in the future of Illinois' at-risk transition-age youth (16-24). This approach to youth employment accounts for the youth's employment barriers as well as the physical, emotional, social, and mental health needs while helping them to secure and sustain long-term and/or career employment thereby ensuring a greater likelihood of success and self-sufficiency.
The Rockford Park District program is designed to target those youth who are interested in short-term Summer employment with a goal of developing workplace skills and gaining employment experience while exploring potential Career Pathways.
A youth, ages 16-24 years old, must demonstrate one or more risk factors. Examples of risk factors that will deem a youth qualified for the program include:
- Youth residing in a household receiving TANF funds Youth with siblings who dropped out of school
- Youth residing in a household receiving SNAP funds Youth with siblings who are teen parents
- Youth is eligible for Free/Reduced lunch Youth has current or prior justice system involvement
- Youth living in a single-parent household Youth with siblings who are involved in the juvenile justice system
- Youth experiencing academic difficulties Youth with one or both parents who are incarcerated
- Youth is in danger of or has been previously held back to repeat one or more academic years Youth with siblings who are gang involved
- Youth experiencing truancy concerns Youth is reported to be gang involved
- Youth is reported to have behavior issues Youth has current or prior DCFS system involvement
- Youth is reported to be a victim of bullying Youth is experiencing homelessness
- Youth is reported to be a perpetrator of bullying Youth is pregnant
- Youth is unsupervised after school Youth is parenting
- Youth has an IEP (Individual Education Plan) Youth has a disability
- Youth has witnessed or been a victim of family violence Youth with no work experience
- Youth identifies as LGBTQ Youth with a history of employment failure
- Youth has current or prior school expulsions or suspensions