Councilmember Silverman Introduces Amendment to Strengthen District's Summer Jobs Program

Today, my colleagues approved an amendment I put forward to the Summer Youth Employment Program. This is one of our largest employment programs, and it employs thousands of teenagers every summer. My amendment requires the Department of Employment Services (DOES) to produce, and publish, basic information on program participants, most importantly on their employment following the end of the program. Additionally, it encourages DOES to work with the Council to create a more rigorous evaluation of the summer youth program for next year.

These changes are important transparency and accountability measures. We need to understand how the program's working, and if it leads to meaningful employment outcomes. This data will help us make better decisions about the program in future years. You can read the amendment here.

Thanks so much.

Elissa.