Post Program Placement and Retention: Emerging Themes and Practices from Two Successful DOL YouthBuild Programs

AGENDA I.Background for study II.Emerging Themes III.Emerging Practices IV.Tools and Resources V.Feedback

PLACEMENT AND RETENTION DATA 70%35% 75%51% Placement Retention DOL goals 2007 DOL outcomes

Emerging Themes and Practices Program Culture Reflects Orientation to Placement and Transition  Emphasize transitions from the very beginning ( “ Let ’ s talk about your plans for the day after graduation?  Have shifted the thinking – Placement and Retention are the end point of programming – not graduation  Message high placement expectations for students ( “ Everyone will go to college ” ) and provide high level of support for students to meet expectations  Every interaction with youth is a teaching moment about life beyond YouthBuild

Emerging Themes and Practices QUESTION How does your program culture reflect an orientation toward placement and transition?

Emerging Themes and Practices (2) Program Structures and Practices Reflect Orientation to Placement  Multiple Systems and Practices in Place to Support High Level of Staff Communication About Student Progress Toward Placement and Transition Goals  Data is Key Information to Guide Transition Services --Systems are in place that allow intensive on-going assessment, follow-up and tracking --Data and report review is an Executive Function --Individual student data informs case conferencing process

Emerging Themes and Practices QUESTION What systems do you have in your program to communicate about students who are in the transition phase? How do you use data to inform your work with students who are in the transition phase?

Emerging Themes and Practices (3) Partnerships Directly Support Placement Opportunities for Students  Partnerships are developed with multitude of organizations that are instrumental in placement – post secondary institutions, employers, unions and apprenticeships  Defining partnership relationships through MOU’s  Set up Employer Advisory Board and or work closely with local WIB

Emerging Themes and Practices (4) Practices During Transition Phase Offer High Level of Support to Students  Staff dedicated to transition services  Multiple and Diversified funding streams  Funding specifically for transition services

Emerging Themes and Practices QUESTION We know some of the usual funding sources; Gates, WIA, NSI, USDA. Would you share with us some of the funding streams you’ve identified to support transition/follow-up services?

Emerging Themes and Practices (5) Practices During Transition Phase Offer High Level of Support to Students (cont.)  Case conferencing structure in place to talk about students who have transitioned into placements  Incentives during transition phase  Transition staff meet and work with youth on college campus (has office on site) and at employment placements

Web-based resources on placement and retention Career Voyages: Assessment tools; Employment Data; High Growth Industry; College and Apprenticeship Information. Also found on the CoP. The “ToolBox.” A CYGNET Associates document that specializes in practical solutions to client and program performance problems. The ‘retention’ is helpful. You can click on multiple topics and be linked to tips and techniques that are downloadable. Tools and Resources

Tools and Resources 2 Sample case management forms, MOU’s, follow-up/retention form o sample MOU (PSI) sample mou.pdfsample mou.pdf o sample MOU (general) sample mou blank.pdfsample mou blank.pdf o alumni meeting checklist alumni meeting checklist.pdfalumni meeting checklist.pdf o current member mtg. checklist current member mtg checklist.pdfcurrent member mtg checklist.pdf o sample treatment plan progress rpt. sample individual treatment plan.pdfsample individual treatment plan.pdf o sample individual treatment plan sample treatment plan progress rpt.pdfsample treatment plan progress rpt.pdf o sample progress notes form sample progress notes form.pdfsample progress notes form.pdf o sample follow-up/retention case notes form sample followup retention case notes form.pdfsample followup retention case notes form.pdf

YOUR FEEDBACK TO THE FEASIBILITY OF USING THE EMERGING PRACTICES, THEMES, RESOURCES/TOOLS PRESENTED TODAY Forward specific questions you might have about any of the themes/practices for either program and I’ll follow-up.