Ready by 21 National Meeting 2021

May 19-20 at 10:00 am ET
Virtual Conference

About the Event

Every year, the Ready by 21 National Meeting brings together hundreds of leaders from around the country who are working to get all young people ready by 21 – for college, work, and life. These leaders have dedicated themselves to improving the odds for children and youth by improving & aligning policies, planning & partnering for impact, and strengthening practices & programs.

About the Forum for Youth Investment

The National Meeting is convened by the Forum for Youth Investment, an action tank working with national, state, and local leaders in more than 45 states. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., more than 50 staff and dozens of consultants are associated with the Forum’s primary teams in DC, Ypsilanti, Michigan, and New York City. The Forum’s mission is straightforward: to change the odds that all young people are ready by 21. Doing so requires a range of strategies – from national thought leadership to on-the-ground action.

Agenda

2021-05-20 10:00:00

Optional: Yoga and Meditation

Amanda Ruud, Training Delivery Specialist, Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, The Forum for Youth Investment

Join Amanda Ruud, Weikart Center Training Delivery Specialist and RYT-200 yoga instructor, for a gentle, guided, all-level chair yoga and meditation practice that will help you start your day centered and energized. No prior experience with yoga or meditation is required, and all you will need to practice is yourself.

2021-05-20 10:30:00

Break

10:30-11:00 AM ET

2021-05-20 11:00:00

Plenary: From Ideas to Impact: Creating Equitable Learning & Development Ecosystems

Karen Pittman, Senior Fellow, The Forum for Youth Investment

Stephanie Andrews, Interim Executive Director of Student and Family Support Services, Tulsa Public Schools

Greg MacPherson, Chief Big Thought Institute Officer, Big Thought Dallas

Kim Price, SEAL Manager, Denver Public Schools

Kristen Rulison, SEL Manager, Palm Beach County Public Schools

Caroline Shaw, Executive Director, The Opportunity Project, Tulsa

Juany Valdespino-Gaytan, Executive Director for Social Emotional Learning, Dallas Independent School District

Miranda Cook, SEAL Manager/DAA Learn Lead, Denver Afterschool Alliance

Katherine Gopie, Director of Professional Development, Prime Time Palm Beach County, Inc.

Forum co-founder, Karen Pittman, has recently transitioned from her role as CEO to senior fellow. This rewiring (not retiring) allows her more time and space to focus on the big ideas that help drive the allied youth fields. Karen will share her latest thinking about what it will take for us to create equitable learning and development ecosystems that engage all learners and all adults in all settings.

Karen will then be joined by representatives from four of the communities featured in the Wallace Foundation’s recent Partnership for Social Emotional Learning Initiative Podcast Series - Dallas, Denver, Palm Beach County and Tulsa. These district and out-of-school-time leaders will share what they have learned about partnering across school and out-of-school time settings and how all adults can be engaged in supporting young people’s social and emotional learning and development.

2021-05-20 12:30:00

Break

12:30-1:30 PM ET

2021-05-20 13:30:00

Closing the Equity Gap for LGBTQ Youth: Blueprints for Change

Hillary Bardwell, Director, Foundation Grants, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Juan Castillo, Program Manager, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Cruz County (Capitola, CA)

Tanisha Davis-Dos, Vice President of Programs and Compliance, Big Brothers Big Sisters Puget Sound (Seattle, WA)

Christian Rummell, Principal Consultant, Mentorist

Andie Thomas-Young, Vice President of Programs, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle (Raleigh, NC)

Healthy development and well-being are essential for youth to be ready for college, work, and life. Positive identity formation, parent and peer relations, and connection to community can serve as critical protective factors. This session provides information and resources to help create more intentionally inclusive services for LGBTQ youth, in particular those of color. Participants will gain insights for how to implement equitable services that can change trajectories and improve outcomes. Participants will learn about blueprints for action, including standards of care for LGBTQ youth, the LGBTQ Supplement to the Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring™, and tips gained through a national inclusivity initiative at Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Additional Resources:

2021-05-20 13:30:00

A Deeper Look – The Partnership for Social Emotional Learning

Katherine Plog Martinez, Consultant, The Forum for Youth Investment

Knellee Bisram, Social and Emotional Learning Specialist, Prime Time Palm Beach County, Inc.

Jessi Hicks, Social Emotional Learning Continuous Improvement Coordinator, Tulsa Public Schools

Miranda Cook, SEAL Manager/DAA Learn Lead, Denver Afterschool Alliance

Join us to continue the conversation and deep dive into building cross-sector partnerships to advance SEL. During this session, focused on the Wallace Foundation’s Partnership for Social Emotional Learning Initiative, you’ll have opportunity to ask follow-up questions that are sparked for you during the plenary and we’ll dig in to two additional findings from The RAND Corporation’s Early Lessons from Schools and Out-of-School Time Programs Implementing Social and Emotional Learning that point toward good starting points for your SEL work – SEL rituals and routines and a focus on adult SEL skills. You’ll have time to engage in SEL practices you can take back and use right away.

2021-05-20 13:30:00

Engaging Young People In a Virtual Setting

Trevor Davies, Senior Manager, Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, The Forum for Youth Investment

Monica Marie Jones, Senior Field Consultant, Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, The Forum for Youth Investment

What does it look like to have an active and engaging virtual program space? If you've asked this question then this session is for you. In this interactive session we will give tips and tricks on how to implement The Weikart Center's best practices in a virtual program space.

2021-05-20 13:30:00

How do You Support Practitioner and Manager SEL Competency Development?

David Martineau, Director of Design & Innovation, Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, The Forum for Youth Investment

Weikart Center staff will use an activity from the new Social Emotional Learning (SEL) methods to illustrate its approach to supporting “adult SEL” in a new suite of SEL training workshops and resources. Self-awareness work in social, emotional, and cognitive development is a foundation skill if youth workers, program managers, and administrators are to effectively model, name, and support SEL competency development in youth. Psychological safety, human development knowledge, introspection, community building, personal goal setting: join the conversation about the role of these practices in professional development that translates to most effectively supporting learning and development in young people.

2021-05-20 13:30:00

Launch, a Journey: How Opportunity Youth and United Way Learned Together

Larry Pasti, Consultant, The Forum for Youth Investment

Kimberly Chacon, Former Launch Ambassador, Mental Health Pioneer/Current Student, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Sophia Rehmus, Launch Career Coach, Boston Private Industry Council

Aviva Rothman-Shore, Economic Prosperity Manager, Department of Housing & Community Development

Amanda Shabowich, Launch Project Director, United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley

Launch, a coordinated network of outreach, connection, and referrals to education and employment for Opportunity Youth living in subsidized housing has demonstrated an impact on outcomes. Learn why the MA Department of Housing and Community Development decided to invest in this project, how they and their partners at the United Way used data to improve and make midcourse corrections, and how they created a theory of change for the initiative that supports critical SEL skills and competences that lead to success in the workforce. Hear how youth voice developed as the overriding culture, and how adaptations made during the pandemic became positive new ways of doing business. The journey for OY youth engaging is not linear; journey maps and staff tackling the issue of "ghosting" led to helpful program design changes. Key staff will share insights and answer questions to help inform the field.

Additional Resources:

2021-05-20 13:30:00

Not All Dollars Are Created Equal: Building Resilient Systems with Local Funds

Olivia Allen, Strategy Director, Children’s Funding Project

As we entered 2021, our over-burdened and under-resourced child- and youth-serving systems received unprecedented federal investment in their recovery efforts, with more potential federal funding on the horizon. So, why do we still need to put local tax dollars towards child and youth services? How are local dollars different from any other dollars? This session will address these questions and more as presenters discuss the need to continue pursuing local public investments in child- and youth-serving systems, and share examples of the unique value that local, dedicated children’s funds brought to their communities in 2020. Attendees will leave the session with an understanding of the role that local dollars play in a healthy funding ecosystem, and equipped with messages to use when advocating for local funding in 2021 and beyond.

2021-05-20 13:30:00

Our Journey to Bolder, Clearer, Tougher: A Candid Conversation on Living our Organization’s Antiracist Ideals

Delbria Walton, MSW, Policy Manager, The Forum for Youth Investment

Sher Jamal Stone, Digital Engagement Associate, SparkAction, The Forum for Youth Investment

Ashley Brooks, Administrative Assistant, The Forum for Youth Investment

In 2020, the Forum put out a statement mapping its pathway forward to equity. Equity and antiracism don’t magically happen just because we want them to, and while we are still early in our journey toward the ideals in our statement, we would welcome an open discussion and active learning session sharing what we have been doing and trying, and hearing from you about things you are trying and learning. Join us for a candid conversation, grounded in real-world examples, of how we’re actively working to ensure that we're meeting the moment boldly, and supporting our colleagues, partners, and movements.

2021-05-20 13:30:00

The Power of Social Media to Document & Amplify Youth-Led Movements

Shaquana Boykin, Digital Engagement Fellow, SparkAction & OYUnited, The Forum for Youth Investment

Maya Muldrew, Social Media Content Coordinator, SparkAction, The Forum for Youth Investment

This session will discuss how youth-led movements are using the power of digital media strategically to organize, advance equity, and drive social change. The facilitators will explore interactive lessons from youth-led movements and key takeaways for digital organizing and storytelling that authentically centers young people.

Additional Resource:

2021-05-20 14:45:00

Break

2:45-3:00 PM ET

2021-05-20 15:00:00

Closing Plenary: Youth and Young Adults Leading the Way

Dr. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, Professor of Education, Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Southern California

Dr. DeLeon Gray, Associate Professor, Educational Psychology, North Carolina State University

Marlén Mendoza, SparkAction Partnerships Lead, The Forum for Youth Investment

Sofia Jaquez, Youth Leader, San Jose Conservation Corps

Cloud Benn, Youth Advisory Board Member, NOLA Children & Youth Planning Board

Pragya Upreti, Youth Leader, Kentucky Student Voice Team

Perhaps the best part of a horrible year has been the ways diverse youth and young adults stepped up to lead the change so sorely needed in our country around racial equity, pandemic response, and economic recovery. We’ll close out our time together hearing a few of these young leaders reflect on the unique styles of leadership they are creating and ways adult allies can help. We’ll ground ourselves in research on adolescent brain development, engagement, equity and belonging that shows why young leaders are positioned to lead societal change. Then, we’ll be joined by a panel of youth and young adult leaders who will share their perspectives on youth action and activism, adolescents’ determination, and their vision for our nation.

2021-05-20 16:30:00

Reflections on the Day

Larry Pasti, Consultant, The Forum for Youth Investment

This session was not recorded due to it being mostly in breakout sessions.

Please join us at the end of this packed day of learning to network with your peers and reflect on what you heard and how you can implement these ideas in your work. The session will be mostly unstructured and offer time for breakouts and discussion.

2021-05-19 10:00:00

Optional: Mindfulness for All with Knellee

Knellee Bisram, Social and Emotional Learning Specialist, Prime Time Palm Beach County, Inc.

Join us for a fun, dynamic and culture-rich mindfulness session! Together we will practice trauma-sensitive expressive movement for all ages and abilities followed by a self-regulating awareness of breath exercise that can be used on a daily basis. These mindful awareness healing-centered practices help us to cultivate embodied presence, stimulate the relaxation response, and deepen our sense of identity, belonging and interconnection. No props needed.

2021-05-19 10:30:00

Break

10:30-11:00 AM ET

2021-05-19 11:00:00

Opening Plenary: Disruptions and Opportunities in a Year Like None Other

Linda Darling-Hammond, President and CEO, Learning Policy Institute

Lisa Hamilton, President and CEO, The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Meg Blinkiewicz, Executive Director, Kalamazoo Youth Development Network

Chekemma J. Fulmore-Townsend, President and CEO, Philadelphia Youth Network

Bryan Samuels, Executive Director, Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago

Elizabeth Whitford, CEO, School’s Out Washington

Moderator: Merita Irby, Managing Partner, Big Picture Approach Training & Consulting/Co-Founder & Executive Vice President, The Forum for Youth Investment

This year brought change and disruptions we never could have expected. It shone a bright light on challenges in our systems and society. It also revealed great potential and possibility. We’ll begin our two days together by taking time to reflect on the past year and look ahead to the potential before us. Presenters and panelists will help us consider the opportunity the current moment presents to reimagine and recreate in ways that leverage innovations and lessons learned to truly change the odds for young people.

2021-05-19 12:30:00

Break

12:30-1:30 PM ET

2021-05-19 13:30:00

Belonging as Agency: Supporting Transformative Learning and Development for Youth and Young Adults

Alicia Wilson-Ahlstrom, Consultant, The Forum for Youth Investment

Jazzman Anderson, Digital Divide Instructor, YouthBuild McLean County

Jacob Aparicio, Building Bridges & WeCity Program Coordinator at Oasis Center

COVID has magnified the need to demand that all youth have equitable opportunity and access to transformative spaces of belonging and agency. We believe that belonging and agency are the next critical place for fully understanding and tapping the potential of transformative learning and development environments. In this workshop, we introduce a new set of stories and tools that amplify strategies to improve and expand spaces of belonging and agency for youth and young adults – inside youth programs and schools, within their communities, and in the larger ecosystem. The stories and tools were developed based on a series of discussions with organizations that do the work of creating belonging and agency well, and a deep dive into understanding the common elements of their practices and approach. Workshop leaders will include members of the working group that explored these common elements, sharing insights and tools in this interactive session.

Additional Resources:

2021-05-19 13:30:00

COVID Relief Funding for Kids Crash Course

Kylie Wheeler, Project Manager, Children’s Funding Project

Federal COVID-19 relief so far totals about $5 trillion, with $800 billion (or 16%) directly or indirectly eligible to fund programs and services for children and youth. What funding makes up this 16%? How are states, localities, and community-based organizations leveraging the new and supplemental dollars to not only respond and recover but also to put "down payments" on long-term improvements to quality and access for kids? Learn the ins and outs of federal COVID-19 relief related to children and youth and explore the innovative options for taking advantage of the unprecedented level of new investment made available by the American Rescue Plan Act and previous legislation.

2021-05-19 13:30:00

Deconstructing YPQI Part 1: Meaningful Assessment and Data Collection 

Krista Collins, Director, Research and Evaluation, Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, The Forum for Youth Investment

The first session of this two-part series will bring together a panel of youth development organizations who quickly pivoted their approach to assessment and data use in response to program changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. These networks will share details about their change management process, best practices and lessons learned around adapting assessments and quality standards, facilitating mini-improvement cycles, and embracing more flexible improvement plans that leverage the most timely and relevant information to guide immediate program decisions.

Additional Resources:

2021-05-19 13:30:00

DIY Advocacy Agenda – Leave Ready to Act

Thaddeus Ferber, Executive Vice President, The Forum for Youth Investment and Co-Founder, SparkAction

Gerod Blue, Senior Policy Manager, The Forum for Youth Investment

Sher Jamal Stone, Digital Engagement Associate, SparkAction, The Forum for Youth Investment

Don’t have a master’s degree in public policy but want to know how to launch an effective advocacy campaign? This session is for you. Learn from the people who secured $195 million of federal support for Opportunity Youth over a two-year period on how you too can conceptualize and launch an effective advocacy campaign focused on any level of government. This will be a hands on session where you will be actively led through a series of exercises and leave the room with a solid plan crafted out for your very own campaign.

Additional Resources:

2021-05-19 13:30:00

Essentials of Quality Social and Emotional Learning Practice

 Amanda Ruud, Training Delivery Specialist, Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, The Forum for Youth Investment

Participants in this workshop will explore a framework that is useful for focused on harnessing Social and Emotional Learning efforts on change in practice. Workshop activities will engage participants in examining SEL efforts in the context of both the field’s commitment to Positive Youth Development and the research, resources, and supports driving adoption of SEL practices in staff practices, program management, and continuous quality improvement efforts. Identify ways to have a greater impact on SEL development of young people, wherever they work with them. 

2021-05-19 13:30:00

Now is the Time to Build Forward Together

Katherine Plog Martinez, Consultant, The Forum for Youth Investment

Caroline Shaw, Executive Director, The Opportunity Project

Paula Shannon, Deputy Superintendent, Tulsa Public Schools

Bryan Joffe, Project Director - Education and Youth Development, AASA

The Readiness Projects partners are challenging communities not to “return to normal” after the great disruptions of the past year, but instead to Build Forward Together. We are working alongside community partners to collaboratively create equitable learning and development ecosystems that unleash the potential of all learners, recognize the power of all committed adults, and optimize all learning settings and approaches. In this workshop, participants will hear from community leaders innovating in their schools and out-of-school-time programs, test out applying the five strategies, and practice using new Build Forward Together tools and resources.

2021-05-19 13:30:00

Putting Equity into Action: Lessons from Indiana’s Commission on Improving the Status of Children

Julie L. Whitman, MSW, Executive Director, Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana

Jill English, Director, Interrupting Racism for Children, Child Advocates

It’s easy to talk about equitable policies – in a government or any organization. But how do you create an intentional process to make sure equity happens in practice – all the time? Hear from Indiana’s Commission on Improving the Status of Children about their Guide for Equity Consideration and how it’s making a difference.

2021-05-19 13:30:00

Self-Care for Black Staff and Leaders

Kiylise Lowe, Training Design Specialist, Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, The Forum for Youth Investment

Alandra Jackson, Senior Program Associate, Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, The Forum for Youth Investment

Please note there is no recording for this session. The session leaders decided that not recording was better for having an open discussion.

Giving space for Black staff and Leaders to show up as their authentic self, to foster a space of community and support while simultaneously supporting young people. This session will model the Black affinity group at the Forum for Youth Investment, which started out as a safe space for Black staff to support each other as the world happened around us, with little reprieve. Join us for self-care practices and tips for “showing up” when the world is showing out.


*This session is for staff who identify as Black and/or African American.

2021-05-19 13:30:00

Stability and Change in Out-of-School Time Systems

Ivan Charner, Education and Workforce Consultant, Former Senior Advisor and Director National Institute for Work and Learning, FHI 360

Caitlín Rose Dailey, Senior Research Lead, FHI 360

Priscilla Little, Senior Consultant, The Forum for Youth Investment

Citywide systems that coordinate the work of out-of-school time (OST) providers, government agencies, private funders, and others are designed to ensure that OST programs reach children who lack access to quality programming. In 2012, The Wallace Foundation asked FHI 360 to conduct an exploratory study to determine the extent to which U.S. cities with populations over 100,000 were undertaking afterschool system-building initiatives. As follow-up to the earlier study, FHI 360 recently released Stability and Change in Afterschool Systems, 2013-2020, a “sustainability study,” to ascertain the current status of afterschool system development in the same cities that were coordinating in 2012–2013. Authors of the study will share their findings and insights and engage workshop participants in a discussion of implications for their own work.

2021-05-19 14:45:00

Break

2:45-3:00 PM ET

2021-05-19 15:00:00

Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities: Assessing Barriers, Promoting Engagement, and Identifying Leading Approaches

Mary Ellen Wiggins, Director of Policy and Research, The Forum for Youth Investment

Delbria Walton, MSW, Policy Manager, The Forum for Youth Investment

Jordan Pineda, Policy Manager, Children’s Cabinets, The Forum for Youth Investment

On day 1 of his administration, President Biden issued an Executive Order (EO) calling for a “whole of government” effort towards greater equity. The EO charges the Office of Management and Budget (OMB, a component of the Executive Office of the President) with identifying effective methods for assessing whether agency policies and actions (e.g., programs, services, processes, and operations) equitably serve all eligible individuals and communities, particularly those that are currently and historically underserved. In follow-up, OMB is seeking input from the field on ways to assess equity, barriers to equity, and how to engage underserved or oppressed stakeholders and communities. Join us to learn about the EO and share your input! The Forum will synthesize ideas into a response to OMB.

2021-05-19 15:00:00

Applying Science to Practice: Five Essentials for Learning, Development, and Thriving

Poonam Boorah, Senior Research & Practice Specialist, Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, The Forum for Youth Investment

Priscilla Little, Senior Consultant, The Forum for Youth Investment

Jill Young, Ph.D., Senior Researcher, Youth, Family, and Community Development, American Institutes for Research

Science findings converge on five essential guiding principles for equitable whole-child design that can be universally implemented across the learning and development ecosystem. Join us to preview a forthcoming Playbook that describes the five essentials and offers concrete strategies for how to implement them across the diversity of community-based settings where young people spend their time. Learn how your program or initiative can bring more intentionality to your work with young people by implementing science-informed practices that contribute to healthy development, learning, and thriving.

Community Based Settings Developmental Practices Reflection Tool

2021-05-19 15:00:00

The Art of Community Revitalization: An Evidence-Informed Practice Rooted in Storytelling, Youth Culture, and Love

Marlén Mendoza, SparkAction Partnerships Lead, The Forum for Youth Investment

Dillon Bernard, SparkAction Youth Engagement Strategist, The Forum for Youth Investment/ Founder, DBC, LLC

The strength of our nation doesn’t stem from any single office, institution, or person. It lies in the center of our local communities - both big and small. Often, artists and young people are the first community members to initiate the revitalization process through art, storytelling, youth culture, and love. These qualities - although often overlooked - are necessary to ensure the success and sustainability of evidence-based practices and programs. This presentation will examine how Youth Action Hour, an entirely BIPOC youth-led campaign, is making space for youth artists, leaders, and community changemakers to share their stories, best practices, and insights for future generations to follow. By bridging policy, data, storytelling and organizing, Youth Action Hour is on a mission to capture grassroots organizing and contribute to a narrative shift around youth and young adults, and their transformative activism across our communities. Come learn about this work and be ready to ideate on how to contribute!

2021-05-19 15:00:00

Beyond Being a "Caring Adult": Making Relationships With Youth Deeply Developmental

Kent Pekel, Ed.D., President and CEO, Search Institute

When people talk about what children and youth need to succeed, connection to one or more caring adults is usually at the top of the list. But while ongoing research from Search Institute is finding that caring connections are absolutely necessary, the organization's studies are also demonstrating that caring is not sufficient if the goal is to help young people learn, grow, and thrive. During this session, Search Institute President and CEO Kent Pekel will introduce participants to four other essential actions that - along with caring - combine to create developmental relationships that help young people be and become their best selves. Dr. Pekel will also lead participants through an exercise that will help them identify a relationship-building strength they can build upon and an area for improvement and growth.

2021-05-19 15:00:00

Deconstructing YPQI Part 2: Responsive Professional Development and Coaching

Adrienne Bard, Senior Manager, Field Services, Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, The Forum for Youth Investment

Leah Wallace, Project Manager, Field Services, Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, The Forum for Youth Investment

The second session of this two-part series will bring together a panel of youth development organizations who quickly pivoted their approach to staff training and coaching in response to program changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. These networks will share details about their change management process, best practices and lessons learned around identifying and responding to current staff needs, building a tiered approach to professional development, and establishing professional learning communities for coaching and peer-to-peer learning in times of rapid change.

2021-05-19 15:00:00

Equity, Quality & Partnership - Paving the Way for Children to Find Passion, Purpose & Voice

Katherine Plog Martinez, Consultant, The Forum for Youth Investment

Bibb Hubbard, Founder and President, Learning Heroes

Wendy Castillo, Senior Director of Equity, Data, and Impact, National Urban League

With support from The Wallace Foundation, Learning Heroes' latest research, Finding Passion, Purpose & Voice: Out-of-School-Time as a Child-Centered Experience reveals exciting new insights about the role of out-of-school time settings in raising our young people. In this session, we’ll leverage this new research and the power of parent voice contained within to explore how it can help shape and fuel our collective work as we leverage the opportunities ahead of us as we Build Forward Together. Participants will have time to explore what the data means in their own context, considering how the data can help inform policy, practice, communication, and more related to work to strengthen equity, quality, and partnership across the learning and development ecosystem.

2021-05-19 15:00:00

Fostering Authentic Youth-Adult Partnerships: Supporting Young People to Shape the Strategies and Policies That Affect Them

Burgundi Allison, Program Associate, Center for Civic Sites and Community Change, The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Patricia Duh, Fellow, Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative

Alexandra Lohrbach, Senior Associate, Center for Systems Innovation, The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Lamontre Randall, CEO, BeMore Environmental

Many organizations recognize the importance of engaging with young people to help guide youth-focused work, but they may not know where to begin or how to ensure those interactions are meaningful. You’ll hear from two young leaders about their experiences working with philanthropic organizations — including critical success factors and common pitfalls — and from a foundation program officer about steps you can take to begin operationalizing these approaches in day-to-day work.

2021-05-19 15:00:00

The National Summer Learning Project

Catherine Augustine, Director, Pittsburgh Office and Senior Policy Researcher, RAND Corporation

Can large, urban school districts successfully run high-quality summer learning programs? If so, how can they do it? And what impact can these programs have on students? These are three of the questions the Wallace Foundation, the RAND Corporation and five urban school districts explored as part of the National Summer Learning Project, an eight-year effort to provide voluntary, district-led summer programs that offer a mix of academic instruction and enrichment-and test whether they help boost students’ success in school. This session will examine this effort and provide guidance on planning an effective voluntary, academically focused, summer learning program for elementary students.

Additional Resources

 

2021-05-19 15:00:00

On Becoming an Anti-Racist Organization: Taking Step Zero and Walking the Talk

Taylor Davis, Site Coordinator, Eastern Michigan University Bright Futures

Parish Halsell, Senior Training Consultant, Talent Development, Rock Central Detroit

What is an Anti-Racist Organization? What is Step Zero? How do we become ready to do this work? To continuously grow and change organizational culture, anti-racism must be at the forefront of the conversation. Eastern Michigan University’s Bright Futures anti-racism leaders will discuss their journey of implementing an anti-racist framework within their program and the characteristics of what readiness looks like. Attendees will have an opportunity to gain insight into how Bright Futures navigated this anti-racism space from beginning conversations to current work. Participants will also have the opportunity to take inventory of their readiness to implement an anti-racist framework in their organization.

2021-05-19 16:15:00

Break

4:15-4:30 PM ET

2021-05-19 16:30:00

Reflections on the Day

Monica Marie Jones, Senior Field Consultant, Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, The Forum for Youth Investment

Please join us at the end of this packed day of learning to network with your peers and reflect on what you heard and how you can implement these ideas in your work. The session will be mostly unstructured and offer time for breakouts and discussion.

FAQ's

Yes, you will need to register. Please click on the Register button at the top of the page to begin the process.
Your login details will be emailed to you ahead of the event. You can use these details to access the online event.
The National Meeting brings together local, state, and national leaders who like you are committed to improving partnerships, policies, and practices for children and youth. These leaders manage change at all levels - from state policy coordination and community-wide cradle-to-career efforts to out-of-school time systems, single-issue coalitions, and neighborhood-based initiatives. They come from business, nonprofits, education, policy, philanthropy, and intermediaries at the national, state, and local levels. 
The plenary sessions and some workshops will be recorded and the event will remain open 24/7 for 30 days.
This is an online event. You do not have to travel to any specific location. You can participate anywhere that you have Internet access. You do not need to download or install any software to participate in the national meeting. The event is accessible from desktop, mobile, and tablet devices.
Yes. Like any physical event, we will have a “Swag Bag” for you! You can add all of the documents available to the online Cart in your account and then email them to yourself or share items with colleagues and friends by simply entering their email.
Absolutely. We are counting on you to invite others! Help us spread the word. You can simply share the link to this page, and they can register at their convenience.