Public Hearing Testimony of
Danté Bartolomeo
Commissioner
Department of Labor
Labor and Public Employees Committee
February 20, 2025
Good morning Senator Kushner, Representative Sanchez, Senator Sampson, Representative Weir and members of the Labor and Public Employees Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with written testimony regarding HB 6956: AN ACT CONCERNING YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING FUNDS. My name is Danté Bartolomeo, and I am the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL).
HB 6956 amends CGS § 31-3mm to update the 2007 allocation methodology governing the distribution of Connecticut Youth Employment Program (CYEP) funds to workforce development areas described within CT Gen Stat § 31-3mm. This change would move from fixed percentages established and “locked-in” 18 years ago to a U.S. Census dataset on Disadvantaged Youth which is updated every five years, thereby allowing CYEP funding to be allocated based upon regional demographics and need. The U.S. Census dataset is publicly accessible, a key component of the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth funding formula, and aligns with existing workforce initiatives to ensure consistency, as well as strengthening support for disadvantaged youth. Included in this proposal is a provision promoting a more equitable distribution of resources for instances when regions may be disproportionately affected by new Census data.
CTDOL’s mission is to protect Connecticut’s workers from labor law violations and promote global economic competitiveness through strengthening the state’s workforce. This proposal furthers that pursuit with data informed decision making and assures that the funding to local workforce development areas is appropriately and fairly distributed. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today. I am here with CTDOL subject matter experts, and we would be happy to answer any questions.
