Institutional capability review

WIOA Youth
Alignment Matrix

See how our lessons, practical exercises, and planning tools support the 14 youth program elements.

Use this guide to choose learning activities and plan the services your organization will provide.

Build the right support around each learner.

Local programs make all 14 elements available and select services from each learner’s assessment and service strategy. The Life Starter supplies learning and planning tools; hosts arrange and document the services their learners need.

Directory listings are places to research. Your organization establishes and coordinates any provider agreements for service delivery.

Read the host guide Find work, training, and support

Read the provider coordination rule

DIRECT · Substantial learning content or tools available

PARTIAL · Learning support combined with host-delivered services

PARTNER / REFERRAL · Preparation and referral tools; services delivered by providers

Coverage reviewed 2026-09-23. Open an element to see the learning support, a practical starting point, and the host’s responsibilities.

01Tutoring, study skills training, instruction and evidence-based dropout prevention and recovery strategiesPARTIAL

Start here: Build a study routine Find education support
Federal requirement / description: Instruction supporting secondary completion or a recognized postsecondary credential.
The Life Starter coverage: Reading, writing, study routines, practical math, and scored practice support a learner’s education goal.
Relevant modules: Read, Write, and Study for Work and Training Practical Math and Data for Work and Training Fractions, Measurement, and Technical Drawings Prepare for High School Equivalency Write for College and Career Training Learn and Remember With Evidence Scientific Reasoning and Lab Readiness Understand Statistics in Everyday Claims Tutor a Peer Through an Academic Skill
Learner evidence: Study plan, written response, math exercises, lesson checks
Who delivers additional support: School or specialized education provider
Host responsibilities: Connect the selected instruction to secondary completion or a recognized credential, and arrange tutoring or additional support according to the learner’s needs.
Data / documentation available: Course/lesson completion and scored checks; no diploma-completion verification
Federal source: 20 CFR 681.460

02Alternative secondary school services, or dropout recovery servicesPARTNER / REFERRAL

Start here: Find education options Prepare a provider contact plan
Federal requirement / description: Alternative school or dropout recovery provision, as appropriate.
The Life Starter coverage: Official education directories and a private provider-contact worksheet help learners compare routes and prepare to contact an alternative education or high-school-equivalency provider.
Relevant modules: Find Training That Leads Somewhere Use the Workforce System: Job Centers and Support
Learner evidence: A dated provider source, requirements to confirm, questions, and a next action; the learner records what has actually happened.
Who delivers additional support: Authorized school or equivalency/recovery provider required
Host responsibilities: Identify a provider, make the referral, and retain the provider's participation record.
Data / documentation available: Saved or downloaded learner-entered education connection plan. The education provider retains participation and completion records.
Federal source: 20 CFR 681.460

03Paid and unpaid work experiencesPARTNER / REFERRAL

Start here: Find work and apprenticeship options Plan a next step
Federal requirement / description: Real work experiences with academic and occupational education, including seasonal work, pre-apprenticeship, internships, job shadowing, or OJT.
The Life Starter coverage: Workplace lessons, official opportunity links, and private next-step notes help learners prepare for and reflect on a placement.
Relevant modules: Registered Apprenticeships and Work-Based Learning Keep the Job: Your First 90 Days Prepare for Job Shadowing and Internships
Learner evidence: Preparation, questions, next actions, and reflection on the learner’s own experience.
Who delivers additional support: Employer/placement provider required
Host responsibilities: Arrange the placement, education component, pay/safety requirements, supervision, and verified hours.
Data / documentation available: Learning and learner-entered planning records; the placement provider maintains hours, supervision, and service verification.
Federal source: 20 CFR 681.600 20 CFR 681.460

04Occupational skill trainingPARTNER / REFERRAL

Start here: Find training providers Compare training routes
Federal requirement / description: Organized training aligned with an occupational goal, of sufficient duration to build the skills needed for that occupation, leading to a recognized postsecondary credential and meeting applicable local board quality criteria.
The Life Starter coverage: Digital and workforce foundations, official training directories, and a provider comparison prepare learners to choose occupational training.
Relevant modules: Digital Basics for Work and School Find Training That Leads Somewhere Choose Internet and Mobile Data Without Overpaying
Learner evidence: Foundation projects and training comparison
Who delivers additional support: Occupational training provider required
Host responsibilities: Verify provider quality, occupation-specific content, credential, and applicable procurement rules.
Data / documentation available: Foundation learning and saved training-comparison records. The training provider verifies participation and credentials.
Federal source: 20 CFR 681.540 20 CFR 681.460

05Education offered concurrently with and in the same context as workforce preparation activities and training for a specific occupation or occupational clusterPARTNER / REFERRAL

Start here: Use the host session guide Plan study and training time
Federal requirement / description: Academic skills, preparation, and hands-on occupational training integrated in the same time frame and context.
The Life Starter coverage: Reading, practical math, communication, and planning lessons can support a host’s integrated occupational program.
Relevant modules: Read, Write, and Study for Work and Training Practical Math and Data for Work and Training Work Ready: Communication and Professionalism
Learner evidence: Lesson work and a learner’s schedule or next-step notes, connected by the host to occupational tasks.
Who delivers additional support: Education and occupational provider required
Host responsibilities: Co-design an integrated schedule, contextual tasks, shared objectives, and staff review.
Data / documentation available: Learning records and learner-entered plans. The education and training providers document concurrent delivery.
Federal source: 20 CFR 681.630

06Leadership development opportunitiesPARTIAL

Start here: Try a leadership project Use the host session guide
Federal requirement / description: Opportunities developing responsibility and positive social/civic behavior, including community and peer activities.
The Life Starter coverage: Decision-making, communication, teamwork, and project-planning practice, with a saved leadership exercise and a host session guide.
Relevant modules: Work Ready: Communication and Professionalism Learn Project Management by Running a Real Project Build a Weekly Planning System Lead a Community Service Project Participate in Local Decisions Resolve Conflict and Repair Teamwork Help a Group Make a Fair Decision Plan a Workplace Change and Check Adoption Handle Conflicts of Interest at Work Coordinate Volunteer Intake and Shift Handoffs
Learner evidence: Community/team project plan, feedback, decisions, and reflection
Who delivers additional support: Host staff or a suitable partner for the selected activities and feedback.
Host responsibilities: Choose suitable leadership activities, arrange participation and permissions, and review responsibility, decisions, and teamwork.
Data / documentation available: Saved supplemental project and reflection; external observation not independently verified
Federal source: 20 CFR 681.520 20 CFR 681.530

07Supportive servicesPARTNER / REFERRAL

Start here: Find local support Prepare a next step
Federal requirement / description: Assistance enabling participation, such as transport, dependent care, housing, accommodations, and necessary supplies.
The Life Starter coverage: Local support directories, preparation lessons, and private next-step notes help learners find and contact services.
Relevant modules: Use the Workforce System: Job Centers and Support Build a Support Network & Ask for Help Access Disability Support at Work and School Navigate Benefits and Basic Needs Plan Transportation, Care, and Attendance
Learner evidence: A selected public resource, a contact question, next action, and learner-reported progress.
Who delivers additional support: Local service providers required
Host responsibilities: Assess the need privately, verify the local resource, obtain appropriate consent, and follow through.
Data / documentation available: Learning records and private learner notes. The provider maintains sensitive case records and confirms assistance delivered.
Federal source: 20 CFR 681.570

08Adult mentoringPARTNER / REFERRAL

Start here: Download a mentor conversation worksheet Plan a next step with your mentor
Federal requirement / description: At least 12 months of a formal, structured human mentoring relationship; includes an individual mentor and face-to-face interaction under the rule.
The Life Starter coverage: A mentor-conversation worksheet helps learners prepare a goal, an example, questions, and a next step with their mentor.
Relevant modules: Build a Support Network & Ask for Help Build a Mentoring Relationship
Learner evidence: Learner-prepared conversation notes and agreed next actions, where the learner chooses to record them.
Who delivers additional support: Screened adult mentors and safeguarding lead required
Host responsibilities: Establish the human relationship, safety procedures, activities, and documented duration.
Data / documentation available: Private learner notes and a downloadable conversation worksheet. The host maintains mentor assignments, safeguarding, meeting records, and service duration.
Federal source: 20 CFR 681.490

09Follow-up servicesPARTIAL

Start here: Keep a next-step record Read host responsibilities
Federal requirement / description: Offer follow-up to all participants and provide needs-based services for at least 12 months after official program exit, unless the participant declines or cannot be located or contacted.
The Life Starter coverage: Optional 30/90-day learner check-ins after learning completion, ongoing lessons, and private next-step notes support continued practice.
Relevant modules: Optional program follow-up check-ins
Learner evidence: Self-reported activity, learning records, and a next action chosen by the learner.
Who delivers additional support: Program case-management staff required
Host responsibilities: Determine official exit, provide individualized follow-up, and document service, decline, or inability to contact.
Data / documentation available: Learning and self-report records. Program staff maintain the official exit date, services provided, and any permitted exception.
Federal source: 20 CFR 681.580

10Comprehensive guidance and counselingPARTNER / REFERRAL

Start here: Find a support resource Practice asking for help
Federal requirement / description: Individualized guidance and counseling, including appropriate professional referrals.
The Life Starter coverage: Decision-making and support-navigation lessons help learners prepare questions and locate appropriate help.
Relevant modules: Manage Stress & Get Mental Health Support Build a Support Network & Ask for Help
Learner evidence: A learner's support plan without diagnoses or treatment notes
Who delivers additional support: Qualified counselors/professionals required where appropriate
Host responsibilities: Arrange confidential referral and continuity with qualified providers; keep clinical records outside this platform.
Data / documentation available: Education activity and learner-selected next actions. Qualified providers retain counseling and clinical records.
Federal source: 20 CFR 681.510

11Financial literacy educationDIRECT

Start here: Compare financial products Open money tools
Federal requirement / description: Budgeting, banking, saving, credit/debt, financial products, protections, and informed age-appropriate decisions.
The Life Starter coverage: Money, credit, debt, financial-aid, and fraud lessons, with calculators and a sourced financial-product comparison.
Relevant modules: Build a Budget That Runs Itself Build & Protect Your Credit Pay Off Debt & Take Control of Your Money Pay for College or Career Training Wisely Spot Scams & Protect Your Money Read Business Financial Statements Understand Stock Options in a Job Offer Make Sense of Economic News Manage Bank Transactions and Reconcile a Statement Compare Short-Term Savings Products Understand Credit-Card Statements and Interest Compare Loan Terms and Build a Payment Schedule Manage Student-Loan Repayment and Servicing Prepare a First-Home Finance and Closing File Manage a Mortgage and Test Refinancing Settle Shared Household Expenses Fairly Prepare a Family Financial Handoff Model Retirement Income and Withdrawals Compare Cross-Border Money Transfers Test Biases in Money Decisions Use Supply, Demand and Opportunity Cost Evaluate Public-Spending Costs and Benefits Understand Stock Orders and Read Price Charts Read and Check a Utility Bill Plan a Change in Earnings and Public Benefits
Learner evidence: Money map, payday plan, credit action plan, savings goal, product comparison, scored scenarios
Who delivers additional support: Optional qualified financial educator; individualized advice remains external
Host responsibilities: Select suitable lessons/examples and assess the learner's work against the program's criteria.
Data / documentation available: Lesson checks, completion, weekly projects, optional staff reviews, supplemental saved exercise
Federal source: 20 CFR 681.500

12Entrepreneurial skills trainingDIRECT

Start here: Test a business concept Open the business practice course
Federal requirement / description: Basics of starting/operating a small business, including initiative, opportunities, resources, capital tradeoffs, and communication.
The Life Starter coverage: Business and freelance lessons, a practice capstone, and a concept exercise covering pricing, cash flow, risk, and a pitch.
Relevant modules: Start a Small Business From Scratch Turn a Skill Into a Freelance Business Learn Sales & Negotiation Use AI to Work Faster Bookkeeping for Small Organizations Understand Cooperatives and Community Enterprises Design and Test a Useful Product Protect Your Creative Work and Use Content Lawfully Forecast Business Cash and Follow Up Invoices Test a Reselling Idea with Real Costs Plan a Crowdfunding Campaign You Can Fulfill Budget a Small Event and Set Ticket Prices Prepare a Small-Business Loan Readiness File Plan a Permission-Based Email Campaign
Learner evidence: Business concept, customer research, pricing/cost model, forecast assumptions, pitch, and 30-day plan
Who delivers additional support: Optional business educator; qualified legal/tax advice remains external
Host responsibilities: Use a safe simulation when appropriate and review evidence without promising revenue.
Data / documentation available: Course checks, capstone/review records, supplemental concept exercise
Federal source: 20 CFR 681.560

13Services that provide labor market and employment informationPARTIAL

Start here: Research wages in your area Compare two careers
Federal requirement / description: Information about local in-demand industries/occupations supporting career exploration and decisions.
The Life Starter coverage: Official career and local wage research links, current job-search directories, and a dated two-occupation comparison support local decisions.
Relevant modules: Choose a Career or Training Path Get Hired for a Better Job Find Training That Leads Somewhere Compare Local Careers With Real Data Apply for Public-Service Jobs Return to Work After Time Away Plan a Job Search With a Record Build a Safe Youth Work Plan Prepare for Job Shadowing and Internships Explore Health Careers and Patient Support Explore Skilled Trades and Green Careers Manage Hotel Reservations and Room Readiness Coordinate Restaurant Orders and Service Plan a Retail Merchandising Reset Maintain an Accurate Online Product Catalog Coordinate Automotive Service Work Orders Coordinate Property Maintenance Requests Run a Library Circulation Shift Check School Attendance Records and Corrections Coordinate Recreation Program Registration Dispatch Field Service with Time Windows Plan a Manufacturing Batch from a Bill of Materials Balance a Small Assembly Line on Paper Audit an Inspection Sample and Release Decision Trace Product Lots and Rehearse a Recall Plan Preventive Maintenance and Work-Order Priorities Control Construction Documents and RFIs Prepare a Building-Finish Quantity Takeoff Build a Paper Job Hazard Analysis Review a Workplace Incident with Evidence Audit a Work Task for Ergonomic Friction Plan a Workplace Change and Check Adoption Handle Conflicts of Interest at Work Build a Small-Organization Continuity Plan Benchmark a Building Energy Record Plan a Permission-Based Email Campaign Check Nonclinical Patient Registration Records Prepare a Cross-Border Shipment Document Check Forecast Service Workload and Control a Backlog
Learner evidence: Two-occupation comparison with geography, dates, source URLs, wage context, entry requirements, and next action
Who delivers additional support: Local workforce staff/data source needed for current local validation
Host responsibilities: Check source currency and geography, distinguish projections from actual openings, and validate local relevance.
Data / documentation available: Saved learner-entered sources, location, wage units, research date, and comparison. The learner or host checks the source and local relevance.
Federal source: 20 CFR 681.460

14Activities that help youth prepare for and transition to postsecondary education and trainingDIRECT

Start here: Plan an education or training transition Find training options
Federal requirement / description: Preparation and transition to postsecondary education or training.
The Life Starter coverage: College/training cost, aid, pathway comparison, apprenticeships, provider verification, and application planning.
Relevant modules: Pay for College or Career Training Wisely Choose a Career or Training Path Find Training That Leads Somewhere Registered Apprenticeships and Work-Based Learning Learn With Free University Courses Write for College and Career Training Succeed in Your First College or Training Term Scientific Reasoning and Lab Readiness Access Disability Support at Work and School Explore Health Careers and Patient Support Explore Skilled Trades and Green Careers Map College Credits and Transfer Options Read Research Papers and Compare Evidence
Learner evidence: Cost/outcome comparison, prerequisites, aid research, application checklist, and transition timeline
Who delivers additional support: School/training/aid advisers verify admissions, eligibility, and enrollment
Host responsibilities: Adapt to the learner's target, confirm current provider facts, and support actual transition.
Data / documentation available: Course checks and saved transition exercise; enrollment/credential outcomes need external verification
Federal source: 20 CFR 681.460