New Jersey § 34:15f-13

§ 34:15f-13.

a. In cooperation with the Disadvantaged Youth Employment Opportunities Council established

in section 1 of P.L.2001, c. 446 ( C.34:15F-12 ) , the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, in consultation with the State Employment and Training Commission shall develop and administer the employment program established under this act. The commissioner shall, to the greatest extent feasible, attempt to achieve a balance

of enrolled disadvantaged youth from the northern, central, and southern parts of

the State. b. The Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development , in consultation with the State Employment and Training Commission, the Department of Education, the Juvenile Justice Commission, and the council , shall develop procedures relating to the program referral process; establish the

selection criteria for participants which shall include the identification of local

disadvantaged youths assessed by local law enforcement and juvenile corrections authorities

as being at risk of gang membership or involvement or reinvolvement in the criminal

justice system and students who are not meeting minimal district standards of behavior

and academic achievement; provide a listing of employers who have agreed to participate

in the program; and establish the process which will be utilized for matching disadvantaged

youth to employment opportunities that will enhance the self-esteem and assimilation

of life skills necessary for productive functioning in the school setting and society.