Systems Planning

Objectives

For more information, see Federal Highway Administration's Q&A for Youth Services and Conservation Corps.

• Offering meaningful, full-time work for individuals between the ages of 16 and 25 in a transportation setting.
• Give participants a mix of work experience, basic and life skills, education, training and support services.
• Provide participants with the opportunity to develop citizenship values and skills through service to their communities and the United States.

Eligible Activities

For more information, see FHWA's Title 23 United States Code.

• Pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
• Safe routes for non-drivers projects and systems.
• Conversion and use of abandoned railway corridors including for pedestrian and bicycle trails.
• Construction of turnouts, overlooks and viewing areas.
• Community improvement activities including:
  • Inventory, control or removal of outdoor advertising.
  • Historic preservation and rehabilitation of historic transportation facilities.
  • Vegetation management practices in transportation rights-of-way to improve safety, prevent against invasive species and provide erosion control.
• Environmental mitigation activities.
• Projects eligible under Safe Routes to Schools, Transportation Alternatives, and Federal Recreational Trails.

Ineligible Activities:

• Safety and educational activities for pedestrian and bicycle.
• Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites.
• Scenic or historic highway programs (including visitor and welcome centers).
• Historic preservation as an independent activity unrelated to historic transportation facilities.
• Operation of historic transportation facilities.
• Archeological planning and research undertaken for proactive planning.
• Transportation museums.

Youth safety

Under the Iowa Child Labor Law, Iowa Code 92, minors under the age of 18 are prohibited from working in certain occupations, performing certain duties and from using certain equipment.

Local matching requirement

Twenty percent of the total project costs must be provided from local sources. Matching funds can consist of cash and/or in-kind contributions for which a value can be documented. For information on in-kind contributions, please read Iowa DOT's Instructional Memorandum 3.050.

Program requirements

• This is a reimbursement program. All contracting agencies must submit supporting documentation (receipts) of expenditures to the Iowa DOT for reimbursement eligibility and to confirm amount expended. Examples of relevant receipts include wage and benefit summaries for employees, tool and safety supplies, materials, food (with overnight stay), lodging, transportation costs, as well as anything else relevant to the UYC Program in which the agency wishes to be considered for reimbursement. Any costs that will be reimbursed with grant funds cannot be incurred before receiving federal authorization.
  * The Iowa DOT requires that cancelled checks need to be submitted with the receipts to show verification of the payment.
• When recruiting participants, sponsors must make a good faith effort to ensure that all eligible persons have equal opportunity to apply for positions available.
• Participants must be paid at least the prevailing minimum wage per hour for a maximum of 40 hours per week.
• Participants must be provided a minimum of five hours per week for training and education in job search techniques, resume writing, life skills, work ethic, etc. These five hours are part of the 40-hour weekly maximum.
• Contracting agencies assume responsibility for any tort claim related to their project and must maintain workers’ compensation and liability insurance covering their operations.
• Participants are not eligible for unemployment compensation benefits.
• Participants who are no longer enrolled in school and have not graduated from high school should be strongly encouraged to enroll in and attend GED classes.
• Applicants must provide participants with appropriate supportive services designed to facilitate their entry into the workforce. Such services may include, but not be limited to, individual counseling, diagnostic services, job search techniques and job retention skills.
• Project locations must be owned by the applicant.

Allowable costs

• Participant wages must be at or above the minimum wage level for an average of 40 hours per week.
• Participant fringe benefits include FICA, workers’ compensation insurance and liability insurance.
• UYC staff pay and fringe benefits include FICA, workers’ compensation insurance, IPERS, health and life insurance, and other benefits as provided by the contracting agency. (Full-time sponsor staff not allowed).
• Work-related travel.
• Equipment items necessary for the completion of work projects.
• Supplies, including safety equipment.
• Educational costs.
• Other direct costs, including fiscal administration and other costs deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the program.

Program reporting

Contracting agencies may submit monthly reimbursement claims, but must submit a final reimbursement claim and final report. These forms can be found under the forms section on this web page.

A field inspection will be conducted by the Iowa DOT approximately halfway through the program period. The participants work will be reviewed, as well as UYC documents.

A final audit will be performed by the Iowa DOT before final payment will be released. The audit will include a review of all submitted documents and a field review for some of the projects that have been completed.

• Urban Youth Corps Additional Project Work Plan

• Urban Youth Corps Project Costs Reimbursement Form

• Travel and Per Diem Policy