Rural Youth Services (RYS) focuses on employment and training of eligible youth in designated CIRI communities. Participants must be between ages 14 and 21, be of low-income, have a current CDIB and face any of the following barriers:

·          Deficient in basic literacy skills

·          School dropout

·          Homeless, runaway or foster child

·          Pregnant or parenting

·          Offender

·          Disability

Services are open to members of the following communities:

·          Chickaloon Traditional Council; 745-0749

·          Native Village of Eklutna; 688-6020

·          Knik Tribal Council; 373-7991

·          Ninilchik Traditional Council; 567-3313

·          Salamatof Native Association; 283-7864

·          Seldovia Village Tribe; 234-7684

·          Native Village of Tyonek 583-2201

Each community has a designated representative to serve youth.

Services available to youth include the ten WIA program elements as options available to participants:

1.       Tutoring

2.       Alternative secondary school offerings

3.       Summer employment opportunities directly linked to academic and occupational learning

4.       Paid and unpaid work experiences

5.       Occupational skill training

6.       Leadership development opportunities

7.       Supportive services

8.       adult mentoring

9.       Follow-up services

10.   Comprehensive guidance and counseling, referrals to counseling as appropriate to the needs of the individual youth.

For more information contact the representative nearest you.