The need for specialized case management services for the Out of School Youth Program (OOS) was the result of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA). WIA represented the first major reform of the nation's job training system in over 15 years. WIA gives state and local government primary responsibility to implement all programs, and mandates an even larger role for business-led decision making.

On July 1, 2001 the Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board (WIB) contracted with Westmoreland Casemanagement and Supports, Inc. (WCSI) to provide Bachelor's level specialized case management services for the Out of School Youth Program. These services are community based and are provided free of charge to youths between the ages of 17 and 21 who reside in Westmoreland and Fayette counties in the state of Pennsylvania. The services focus not only on education and vocation goals but also housing, financial, medical, mental health, socialization, supportive and/or crisis goals.

The term "out of school youth" means:

• An eligible youth who is a school dropout; or
• An eligible youth who has received a secondary school diploma or its equivalent but is basic skills deficient, unemployed or underemployed.

To learn more about the WIB Out of School Youth program, continue on to the Eligibility, Assignment and Outcomes and Locations pages.