Delaware Valley Job Corps Faces Uncertainty

Update: Since this interview was recorded, the Department of Labor has pledged to resume background checks and sent instructions to Job Corps on processing applications once again.

As federal lawmakers continue negotiations over next year’s budget, uncertainty looms over the future of Job Corps centers across the country, including the Delaware Valley Job Corps in Sullivan County. The center, which provides housing, education, and job training to underserved youth, is once again at risk due to proposed cuts in next year’s budget.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is just one of the politicians aiming to end this precariousness. The Senate Appropriations Committee, of which she is a member, is currently ironing out the budget for July 2026-July 2027. If the group follows President Trump’s requests, Job Corps sites across the country, including in Sullivan County, would shut down next year. But a proposal has been introduced to prevent this. Jennifer Cha, the Associate Vice President of Programs and Regional Operations for Adams and Associates (the organization that runs the Job Corps center), is cautiously optimistic. She said the proposal is a good sign and that the budget will be announced in the near future. “The congressional pieces hopefully were or will be worked through in September and landing in October when the budget actually goes through. As I understand the timeline, hopefully within the next 60 days we would have some really firm grasp.”

But the funding for the current year is also being jeopardized. Months ago, after receiving notification of immediate termination, staff were told to promptly send all the program’s participants home. A copy of the notice obtained by WJFF said, “Effective immediately, all work required by the contract… is hereby terminated, with the exception of work necessary to provide a safe, orderly, and prompt shutdown of center operations.” She said this was especially dangerous for a vulnerable population.

“In many cases, young people who participate in the program do not have the average supports that somebody would have. They may be homeless, for example. Or, they may not have the means to have that same support structure normally without the program. And so being quickly sent [out of the] center to what, in many cases, is unstable housing, non-existent housing, [or] unsafe housing without any pre-warning, is obviously extremely destabilizing.”

An injunction was granted by the judge to pause the termination notice while its legality is weighed in courts. The center has returned to full function but Cha estimates as many as 40% of the youth that were sent home have not returned. Also, new enrollment in the program is usually rolling, but has been on pause. “We have, 17,000 young people nationally who have actually applied to the program since March. But because the background checks were paused in March, which is required for enrollment into the Job corps program, those 17,000 people have been denied the opportunity to pursue this training… that will provide for them and their family in the future.”

Cha has noticed widespread support among Delaware Valley, which brings her, the staff, and the residents comfort as they wrestle with uncertainty. “The way the community has really rallied around… has been a boon for for us and for everybody at the center.” She encourages interested families to apply now as the waitlist for background checks continues to pile up. Regardless of the setbacks, the mission of Job Corps has not wavered. “This is a life changer,” Cha reflected.

This is an ongoing story. Radio Catskill has previously covered it here and here, if you’re looking for additional context.

Photo Credit: Delaware Valley Job Corps, https://delawarevalley.jobcorps.gov/jobs/carpentry