SECTION 1. Chapter 23H of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after Section 11 the following:-

Section 12.  Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, it shall be the policy of the Commonwealth to invest in low-income, disadvantaged youth with high-impact programs that mitigate violence in inner-city neighborhoods and provide education and job skills in school that promote long-term economic success. 

The Department of Workforce Development shall coordinate with Action for Boston Community Development, Inc. (ABCD) on a year-round, at-risk youth employment and career exploration program.  The program focuses on providing low-income, disadvantaged youth with a jump start in building the skills, credentials and attitudes they will need to succeed in school and at work. It offers exposure to a variety of career paths; skills training; academic remediation and support; case management; mentoring; links to ongoing education and employment opportunities, and monitoring. 

1)  Participants will be enrolled in one of a range of career exploration tracks—which provide real-world experience and training in industries as diverse as biotechnology, construction trades, hospitality, health services, computer technologies, financial services, early education and care.

Career tracks will provide meaningful, in-depth training as well as a chance to learn about job opportunities. For example, the Construction Pre-Apprenticeship, offered in conjunction with the Boston Building Trades Training Directors Association, provides up to 175 hours of training in building trade skills, exploring all aspects of the construction industry.  Career exploration incorporates hands-on training through individual and group activities, tools and equipment orientation, and field trips to worksites. 

2)  Participants receive individual and group mentoring from experienced professionals in the targeted industry areas.

3)  The academic skills and credentials needed in each career field are used to provide a context for individual academic assessment and remediation. For students in high school, emphasis will be placed on MCAS tutoring as well as completing course requirements. Out-of-school youth will be placed in a GED program or other educational alternatives, including diploma granting alternative education programs.

4)  All participants will receive support services through a case management model which offers assessment, development of an individual service plan, information/referral services, and ongoing counseling.