Center for Law and Social Policy th St NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC Reconnecting Out-of-School Youth: Education, Training, and Skills Development Presentation to the Literacy Cooperative June 8, 2007 Linda Harris, Director Youth Policy

Center for Law and Social Policy th St. NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC Emerging Trends Growing awareness of youth crises More communities, local leaders taking aggressive action Move toward comprehensive, systemic approaches  Education-workforce-justice Connections Increased focus on alternative pathways to education and labor market credentials

Center for Law and Social Policy th St. NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC The Challenge: Delivering thousands of at- risk youth to labor market success  Skills training Charter literacy GED Alt Youth Program Service Corp    Contextual learning Career exposure Work experience Secondary and Post sec credentials Leadership opportunities Personal Development Justice System Child welfare Good jobs Good wages Good benefits Advancement opportunities

Center for Law and Social Policy th St. NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC KEY COMPONENTS OF AN EFFECTIVE YOUTH STRATEGY Community Leadership System Collaboration Direct Service Innovation

Center for Law and Social Policy th St. NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP Acknowledging the problem ….Documenting the magnitude ……Establishing a collective vision ………Coming together around solutions ………..Assembling Resources …. ……..Addressing the problems at scale ………….Benchmarking progress

Center for Law and Social Policy th St. NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC About the community strategic process There must be a convening entity Key sectors must participate … requires buy- in of key decision makers Its about relationship building and trust All organizational paradigms must shift Concrete goals and interim benchmarks essential Celebration of individual and collective accomplishments

Center for Law and Social Policy th St. NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC SYSTEM COLLABORATION Workforce Education Justice Community Resources Business Resources TANF Foster Care health

Center for Law and Social Policy th St. NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC Key Elements of Effective Practice Quality Management Data / Accountability Cross System Coordination Articulation Agreements Comprehensive Caring Adult Support Well Developed Education Component Rich Workplace Connections Youth Involvement/ Civic Engagement Connections to Business and Industry

Center for Law and Social Policy th St. NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC EFFECTIVE PRACTICE CARING ADULTS WELL TRAINED PROFESSIONAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STAFF - INVESTMENT HELP YOUTH NAVIGATE TO LONG TERM SUCCESS ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUTH OUTCOMES BRIDGES THE SYSTEMS PEER TO PEER NETWORKING VALUABLE

Center for Law and Social Policy th St. NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC EFFECTIVE PRACTICE EDUCATION WORK READINESS CONTINUUM LITERACY Pre- GED GED Credit Recovery Dual Enrollment Career exposure Service learning Work Experience internships Post- secondary OJT Youth development leadership mentoring support services

Center for Law and Social Policy th St. NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC EFFECTIVE PRACTICE Connections to Business and Industry Secure Business participation in the strategic design of program Secure business input to work skills credentialing system Sell business on their “future workforce” Build youth’s portfolio via hands on work exposure Customize to the specific entry level competencies for growing industries