American Youth Policy Forum Dec. 14, 2009 Presentation

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Am erican Youth Policy Forum ,D ecem ber14,2009 Leveraging R esources to C reate A lternative Pathw ays to Education and Em ploym ent Training forD isconnected Youth N ational League ofC ities’ Institute for Youth,Education,and Fam ilies Andrew O .Moore,SeniorFellow

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Leveraging Resources to Reengage Disconnected Youth

Transcript of American Youth Policy Forum Dec. 14, 2009 Presentation

Page 1: American Youth Policy Forum Dec. 14, 2009 Presentation

American Youth Policy Forum, December 14, 2009

Leveraging Resources to Create Alternative Pathways to Education and Employment

Training for Disconnected YouthNational League of Cities’

Institute for Youth, Education, and FamiliesAndrew O. Moore, Senior Fellow

Page 2: American Youth Policy Forum Dec. 14, 2009 Presentation

Current environment

State and local fiscal crisis situation + local lagRelatively minor federal investments, limited

state/local matchSeeming affection for categorical programsDevastatingly high unemployment => very limited

labor market experience of young adultsPersistent achievement gaps, high dropout ratesPrevention & enforcement as articles of faith –

what place for intervention?Overall: lack of powerful driving policy concept(s)

National League of Cities’ Institute for Youth, Education, and Families

Page 3: American Youth Policy Forum Dec. 14, 2009 Presentation

To tackle dropout / DY issue fully, every city needs to put in place…• Understanding of issue as a community problem

+ room for all relevant leaders• Early warning systems• Integration of education & other data systems• Means to engage parents and stakeholders to

set high common aspirations• Efforts to transform struggling high schools• Flexible portfolio of quality options offering

rigor, relevance, relationships, and future focusNational League of Cities’ Institute for Youth, Education, and Families

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Promising local initiatives / policieso Leaders setting, following through on aspirational goals

o Tangible cross-system collaboration effortso Portals and cross-referralso Transition-age youth task force & plano Local projects seeded/supported via state policyo Supported by intermediary/lead agency + data sharing

o Local assessment of need & expansion of pathways

National League of Cities’ Institute for Youth, Education, and Families

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Policy recommendationsImmediate:Direct job creation funding to local gov’ts, e.g.,

modified CDBG formula, in partnership with WIBso Fine tuning: “Fast track” authority; non-supplantation; focus

on groups experiencing particularly high unemployment Reauthorizations – priority considerations:Sharpen policy regarding federal, state, local roles Multiple pathways to HS and postsecondary

graduationReciprocity: Jobs linked to staying in school;

community service by, not simply services forComprehensive planning a la Youth Promise ActBridge programs for age of transition a la Chafee Act

National League of Cities’ Institute for Youth, Education, and Families

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Selected Current ResourcesLocal Programs & Initiatives The State of City Leadership for Children and Families 2009

Identifies the nation's most cutting-edge city strategies to help children and families thrive

Preventing Gang Violence/Building Communities Toolkit Essential elements of a local gang violence prevention: action plan,

and blended prevention, intervention, and enforcement strategies. Setting the Stage for New High Schools

Outlines seven key policy conditions that facilitate the expansion of alternatives and options for dropouts and other students who struggle in traditional high school settings

All available online atwww.nlc.org/iyef

National League of Cities’ Institute for Youth, Education, and Families

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Selected Current ResourcesAnalyses & Policy Recommendations Consequences of Dropping Out of High School (national and

local) and Left Behind in America Available online at http://www.clms.neu.edu

Youth at High Risk of Disconnection: 2008 Data Update of Connected by 25 Available online http://tinyurl.com/y9f525t

NLC job creation letter to President Obama Available online at www.nlc.org

Graduating America (Jobs for the Future & Everyone Graduates Center) Available online at http://tinyurl.com/yfvp8tl

National League of Cities’ Institute for Youth, Education, and Families