Thousands of young people across San Diego County are looking for a pathway forward, whether that’s finishing school, landing their first job or building skills for a career.
Too many, however, face barriers that make those goals feel out of reach. Stark regional disparities are revealed in a recent report conducted by the San Diego Workforce Partnership to understand the workforce needs of youth ages 14-24 across San Diego County.
To ensure current services align and improve access in these areas, the SDWP today issued a new Request for Proposal (RFP) that will provide $4 million to qualified local partners to deliver innovative and comprehensive Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act title programs.
The goal is to receive responses from community-based organizations, nonprofits, educational institutions, public entities and/or a collaboration of these entities with experience in addressing services of need for out-of-school youth ages 16-24 and in-school youth ages 14-21 and closing regional gaps.
“We know that the organizations doing the most impactful work are often rooted in the neighborhoods they serve,” said Robynne Rose-Haymer, Vice President of Programs, San Diego Workforce Partnership. “They understand the cultural context, they’ve built trust over time, and they know what obstacles their young people are facing.
“This RFP addresses the gaps in services identified in our workforce landscape analysis and is designed to bring resources to underserved youth where they’re needed most.”
Key findings in SDRM’s workforce landscape analysis include:
While nearly 85% of students graduate countywide, South San Diego faces a 31% youth unemployment rate and East San Diego struggles with an 81% graduation rate, the lowest in the region.
Despite 162 organizations operating 500+ service sites, most cluster in the Metro region, leaving rural and border communities critically underserved.
Among the county’s 149,000 youth ages 18-24 not enrolled in school, the most underserved populations are out-of-school youth, Black opportunity youth, parenting youth, LGBTQ+ youth, and those with disabilities. These groups receive the fewest targeted services despite facing the highest barriers to employment.
RFP Summary Details:
Total Funding: $4 million in Year 1, renewable for up to three additional years
Notice of Intent Due: January 23, 2026
Proposals Due: February 13, 2026, by 5:00 PM
Anticipated Award Notification: April 6, 2026
Contract Start: July 1, 2026
Eligible Applicants: Community-based organizations, nonprofits, for-profits, educational institutions, public entities, and collaborative partnerships
Organizations can view the RFP at workforce.org/youthrfp2026 and submit questions about it via the Workforce eBid site through Jan. 21, 2026.
About San Diego Workforce Partnership
San Diego Workforce Partnership is a quasi-public, non-profit organization that funds programs, implements initiatives, and brings together key players from County and City governments, and economic, educational, and workforce sectors across the San Diego region. It is part of a national network of nearly 500 Workforce Development Boards, established under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). In California, we operate under the guidance of the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB) and serve as the designated workforce board for San Diego County and City. For more information, visit workforce.org.
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