1 The Hyams Foundation, Inc. Fall 2008 Symposium Teen Futures RFP Information Session

2 Teen Futures: Overview Multi-faceted strategy Boston and Chelsea teens (ages 16-22) who have dropped out of school and are not employed Improve their success by increasing the number who: Gain their high school diploma (or its equivalent) and Begin a path towards higher education or a career focused training program

3 Teen Futures: Background Multi-layered planning process including: Research Stakeholder interviews Community focus groups

4 Teen Futures: Required Program Components Education: Options for young people to earn their high school diploma or its equivalent as well as dual- credit college options Skill development: Opportunities to build a wide range of life skills, such as leadership and civic engagement Employment: Applying job related skills in work and/or volunteer settings Three required components will include:

5 Teen Futures: Additional Program Components Additional components may include: Appropriately trained and highly skilled staff sensitive to youth’s community. Holistic youth development approach that offers varied and highly engaging programming. Planned opportunities for building strong relationships with many caring adults.

6 Teen Futures: Additional Program Components Additional components (continued): Serving young people for extended periods of time with post-program follow up and support. The use of stipends as a means of securing teen participation. Case management system to track and coordinate services for young people.

7 Teen Futures: Overall Outcome Young people who have dropped out of school: Become re-engaged with their education Earn a high school diploma (or its equivalent) Commence a path towards: Earning an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree OR Participating in a career oriented training program

8 Teen Futures: Engagement Indicators High levels of and consistent youth participation in program activities. Maintenance of positive relationships between program staff and youth. The number of youth who complete incremental stages of a program.

9 Teen Futures: Education Related Indicators Improvement in youth’s academic skills. Youth attain a high school diploma (or its equivalent).

10 Teen Futures: Skill Development Indicators Improvement in youth’s life skills. Increase in members and quality of youth’s personal networks. Increase in youth’s self-confidence and sense of hope. Increase in youth’s pro-social behavior and avoidance of anti-social behavior.

11 Teen Futures: Employment Related Indicators Improvement in job related skills and the application of these skills in work and/or volunteer settings. The number of youth who attain career related employment and maintain for at least six months.

12 Teen Futures: Proposal Process Planning and implementation grants available Two part process for both: Letter of interest Invitation to submit full proposal

13 Teen Futures: Eligibility/Selection Criteria Prior commitment to and success in serving target population Understanding of best youth development practices An ability to combine and manage the essential program components

14 Teen Futures: Eligibility/Selection Criteria A plan for incorporating the additional program components Evaluation capacity and/or willingness to develop Knowledge of others working with target population

15 Teen Futures: Eligibility/Selection Criteria Success at building working partnerships with external partners Willingness to engage in an on-going learning community Proof of need and access to other resources

16 Teen Futures: Timeline Letters of Interest Due December 1 st Invitation to submit full proposal January 12 th, 2009 Full proposals due February 9 th, 2009 Grants awarded March/April 2009

17 UWMBMV: Road to Opportunities Initiative Thank you for engaging their partner agencies: ROCA, Year Up, JFYNetWorks, YouthBuild Boston Focused on building capacity of the broader field Connecting workforce development with asset building

18 Questions?