1 Rhode Island Perspective Advanced Youth Forum

2 State of Rhode Island Workforce Organizational Chart

3 Governor’s Workforce Board Six committees exist to plan, evaluate, and develop the workforce development interests of the state: Executive Strategic Investments Board Development Planning and Evaluation Youth Strategies Adult Education and Literacy

4 Governor’s Workforce Board Youth Strategies Committee Its goal is to: To better prepare emerging workforce (students from kindergarten through college and out-of-school youth) to meet the challenges of the 21st century workforce.

5 Youth Strategies Committee Role of Committee: Recommend ways to build and connect a system for the improvement of academic standards, career choices and workforce readiness for all students. For Youth Forum- to target most at risk youth

6 Governor’s Workforce Board Goal of Adult Education and Literacy Committee Improvement of adult education and literacy services will play an important role in preparing adult workers to acquire the higher level skills required in the 21st century workplace.

7 Adult Education and Literacy Committee Role of Committee Set priorities, develop policies, ensure a connection to workplace literacy skills and provide oversight of the system.

8 Adult Education Issues Rhode Island’s adult education programs have become a “default option” for many disconnected youth and disadvantaged young adults. Between 35% and 42% of participants in the last few years were younger than 25. Local programs, curricula, pedagogies, and staff do not know how to serve this population well. Key support services are not always available.

9 Adult Education Solutions Dedicate share of future adult education funding to making adult education part of the portfolio of services available at One Stop Career Centers, their Youth Centers, and their community providers. Develop more age-appropriate ways of delivering adult education services for youth and young adults.

10 Youth Development Center Providence/Cranston WIB Vision To be recognized as the primary provider of career development services for youth in the Providence/Cranston workforce area.

11 Youth Development Center Goal Expand the Providence/Cranston Youth Center to provide a full range of interactive career development and employment services by empowering youth to set goals, explore career choices, and prepare for and retain gainful employment. (Pilot site)

12 Youth Development Center Expansion to state’s second local workforce area Provide services in one stop career center Develop service delivery model for at risk youth