Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Youth Employment Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cherokee Nation staff warn Department of Labor changes will shrink Job Corps services, summer youth slots
Summary
Executive Director Diane Kelly told the Cherokee Nation Education Committee that recent Department of Labor changes are reducing some Job Corps center services, while tribal and federal funding shifts mean roughly 900 summer youth slots are expected this year with only about 100 funded from ARPA.
Executive Director Diane Kelly told the Cherokee Nation Education Committee that recent changes at the U.S. Department of Labor are forcing Job Corps centers to scale back some services and contracts, and that the tribe expects fewer summer youth program slots this year.
Kelly said the Department of Labor has a large budget and that "about two thirds of that budget is Job Corps," adding that Job Corps operates 122 centers in the United States and Puerto Rico. She told the committee that some centers have been asked to end full‑time contracts — including a dental contract — and that certain counselor hours for substance‑abuse and smoking‑cessation programs have been reduced. Kelly said tribal staff met with national and regional Job Corps offices and are preparing written responses to preserve roles where possible.
The committee heard Kelly put program and funding changes in historical context, saying federal workforce programs since the 1970s (Comprehensive Employment and Training Act, JTPA, WIA and WIOA) have carried income‑eligibility rules. She referenced the Indian Employment Training and Related Services Demonstration Act of 1992 and said Cherokee Nation has used a mix of tribal funds and federal streams (TANF, WIOA, Department of Labor funds and pass‑throughs under Public Law 102‑477) to expand opportunities for tribal youth.
Kelly said the tribe uses multiple funding “buckets” when placing applicants into summer programs — tribal and ARPA dollars, TANF and WIOA — and that staff screen applications against income and program requirements before placing youth. She said tribal leadership has historically used tribal funds to serve some over‑income applicants when space allows.
On program size, Kelly said the Education/Employment division anticipates roughly 900 summer youth placements this year, similar to last year’s 900–1,000 range, but that only about 100 of those slots will be funded by ARPA. Councilor Legg asked specifically about ARPA slots and Kelly replied, "We're only gonna have about a hundred ARPA." Kelly also said the summer youth wage will be $11 per hour this year, a rise that will reduce the total number of slots affordable from available funds.
Kelly alerted the committee to short‑term staffing changes: Employment manager George Roach is expected to be out two to three months for health reasons, and Michelle Aras and Jackie England will approve summer application packets in his absence. Kelly said those managers report to Brenda Fitzgerald, who reports to Kelly.
The committee did not take formal action on Job Corps contracting in the meeting; Kelly said staff continue to negotiate internally and with federal offices and will share updated flyers and contact points before broader public outreach.
Kelly asked councilors to direct constituent questions to staff so the division can correct or withhold public materials until they are finalized.
Kelly concluded by asking whether there were questions; Councilor Hodes thanked Kelly for the historical overview and emphasized that income limits apply to many programs, noting that tribal dollars have helped expand access in the past.
Looking ahead, Kelly said staff will finalize written exchanges with Job Corps offices and circulate summer program flyers with contact names and application details once approvals and staffing coverage are set.
