SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO— Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro has announced registration is underway for a new program designed to assist county youths this summer. The 2020 Summer Youth Virtual Education Program is available to qualifying youths between the ages of 16-18 who have not yet graduated from high school.
Due to the COVID-19 emergency, this new program is online-only and, for this year, replaces the traditional summer youth program previously administered by the Department of Job and Family Services. Due to constrained funding, opportunities in this program will be very limited. Registration will close once the program has reached capacity.
Each youth participant may earn up to $500 if all programming is completed as assigned and required. Interested youths’ parent or guardian must register online for a first-come, first-served chance to participate.
“In spite of the challenges posed by COVI-19, we are committed to providing our youth with an opportunity to gain valuable work experience. The Summer Youth Virtual Education Program is one part of a multi-pronged strategy to provide a skilled, job-ready workforce to current and prospective Summit County employers,” said Executive Shapiro. “The job skills education offered through this program will provide teenagers with a solid foundation to grow upon as they enter the workforce or attend an institution of higher education.”
Parents and guardians can register online now by visiting www.surveymonkey.com/r/VSYEP.
To be eligible for the program, a youth must meet the following requirements:
- Must be a Summit County resident aged 16-18 as of April 1, 2020.
- Still in high school for the school year beginning this Fall.
- Household income must not exceed 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- Must be available to participate online from mid-June through late July.
- Opportunities will be very limited, and will be determined on a first-come, first-served basis.
Once registered online, youths and families will be given instructions on how to continue the process of eligibility determination and placement in the program. All contact will be made via telephone and email, so those registered are asked to be responsive to program staff’s contacts to ensure eligibility can be determined and for ongoing successful participation. Internet access is required to participate in this program. Due to limited funding, there is no guarantee that all who register will be placed.
