The Youth Employment Opportunity Program (YEOP) provides special services to youth between the ages of 15 and 25 to assist them in achieving their educational and vocational goals. While working with peer advisors, youth clients interact with professional individuals who have similar paths, perspectives, and educational goals by providing referrals to supportive services, workshops, career coaching, employment preparation, and other training and community outreach efforts.
YEOP Services
The YEOP specialists assist youth in attaining their goals through a variety of services:
- Peer advising allows youth clients to interact with professional individuals having similar paths and perspectives as they identify their occupational interests and develop career goals.
- Referrals to supportive services as necessary based on individual needs assessment of youth clients for the purpose of empowering clients to overcome barriers in pursuit of their educational and vocational goals. This may include but not limited to transportation, child care, housing assistance and clothing community resources.
- Education & Career Coaching with the guidance of the youth specialists, clients will receive one-on-one guidance on educational/vocational opportunities for the purpose of focusing on higher education as the primary vehicle to be a productive member of society and to be a competitive job seeker
- Employment Preparation & Assistance through the providing of job search tools such as resume preparation, interview preparation, employer expectations, customized job search, and other skills needed to be a successful job seeker in the local labor market. Please note: this is not a job placement or “summer youth work experience” program.
- YEOP Workshops that prepare students with team building and communication skills enabling them to be successful in any employer’s hiring process. Workshops topics include but are not limited to résumé writing, mock interviews, computer literacy, properly completing job applications, and more.
- Referral to training providers including Regional Occupational Programs, General Educational Development Test centers with the purpose of receiving their High School Diploma or California High School Equivalency Certificate, and post-secondary education.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible youth include individuals, ages 15 through 25, who are at risk of not achieving their educational goals and who are current high school students; college students; high school dropouts; and/or at risk of dropping out from school. In addition, youth who fall under any of the characteristics below may also be found eligible:
- Youth Offender
- Poor literacy skills
- Teen parent
- Limited English skills
- Foster or homeless youth
- Gang member/associate
- Member of a minority group
- Economically disadvantaged
- Youth with a disability
Youth who may not necessarily fit under any criteria above may still be eligible for YEOP services upon assessment by YEOP specialists. Youth are also encouraged to contact their nearest America’s Job Center of California to inquire about other youth services available in their area.
Mentors and Specialists
Two major components of the YEOP program are mentors and youth employment specialists.
- Mentors
Employment Development Department (EDD) staff performing as advisors and providing counsel to YEOP specialists in areas of intensive on-the-job training in the basic functions of Workforce Services. - YEOP Specialists
Youth aides and student assistants performing as specialists who can relate with the at risk barriers and common goals of the youth clients they serve. The YEOP specialists are trained to provide in-depth assessment, peer advising, workshops, job development, selection and referral to education, and suitable jobs for youth.
Contact Information
For youth or community members interested in additional YEOP services in your area, visit the YEOP Contact Information page.