MEDIA RELEASE

HONOLULU – Lt. Governor Duke Aiona today urged non-profits across the state to enroll in the 2010 Summer Youth Employment Program and receive help from young workers immediately through Sep. 30. Already, Lt. Governor Aiona has been working closely with the State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) to enroll state government offices across Hawai‘i in the program.

Non-profits interested in participating in the program and receiving free help for their organization can attend an informational briefing at the Hawai‘i State Capitol Auditorium on Tuesday, June 1 from 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Lt. Governor Aiona, DLIR Director Darwin Ching and DHS Director Lillian Koller will provide information on the program, answer questions and assistance with filling out worksite applications.

Young people, ages 14 through 23, who are interested in the program should apply as soon as possible at their nearest DLIR Workforce Development Division Office.

“This program helps our young people earn money and gain valuable work experience at a time when many state agencies and non-profits are short-staffed due to layoffs and funding restrictions,” the Lt. Governor said.

The DLIR Workforce Development Division is the employer of record and is responsible for payment of wages to the young workers. DLIR will also provide any necessary equipment required for the jobs.

Financing for the program is through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) federal stimulus funds. Specifically, a minimum of $3 million in TANF funds will go to the program, with funding for Neighbor Islands totaling $1.8 million. Additional federal funds are available if enrollment in the program is larger than expected.

Applications for job seekers and for government agencies and non-profit organizations that want to serve as worksites can be downloaded at http://hawaii.gov/labor/wdd/summer-youth-employment-program.