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Pathways to Success by 21A Collaboration of State and Regional Partners Supporting Youth
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Statewide Steering Committee
Department of Education Board of Higher Education Commonwealth Corporation Department of Mental Health Department of Social Services Department of Transitional Assistance Department of Youth Services Department of Workforce Development Division of Career Services Executive Office of Community Colleges Institute for Community Inclusion Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Massachusetts Workforce Board Association
Metro South Workforce Investment Board Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board
Youth Empowerment Inc
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Our Common Challenge
Economic & Life Success for YouthImpact of Degree Attainment on Income
(next slide)“Youth transition” is a national focus
across services/agencies:Graduation/Drop OutsDSS/DYS YouthYouth with Disabilities (MPYE)Low-income, low-skilledYouth with Mental Health Issues
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Impact of Education on Income
Education
0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
1.2Professional
Degree
1.1 Doctorate
Master's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Associate's Degree
Some College No Degree
High School Graduate
Less Than High School
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census; Bureau of Labor StatisticsData shows earnings for year-round, full-time workers 25 years and over; unemployment rate for those 25 and over
$80,230
$70,476
$55,302
$46,276
$35,389
$32,400
$28,807
$21,391
7%
Unemployment Rate in 2001
1%2%3%4%
Educational Attainment is Related to Income
3.5
4.2
7.3
2.9
Median Earnings in 2000
2.1
2.5
5%6%
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P21 Process (to-date)
History of P21 Two Prong Approach
State Level Steering Committee, Tri-Chaired by DWD, DOE, HHS (Youth Voice)
Regional Teams (Youth Voice) Regional Planning Grants to Create Action Plans Analysis of Regional Action Plans Creation of Statewide Strategic Action Plan Prioritize Action Steps with Leadership 400+ regional/state partners participated: more
to go!
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What did we hear?Youth
Connections to Adults Holistic Approach - Family and Community Support Systems New Learning Environments – Small, Flexible, “Youth Friendly” Practice Opportunities – Employability and Life Skills Drop Agency Perspective – Partnership, Coordination,
Innovation
Regional Strategic Action Plans “Caring Adults” for at-risk youth (15) Access to key information (15) Focus on drop-out prevention & recovery strategies and
resources - (14) Partnership and coordination (14) Availability of skills/training opportunities for youth (12)
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What are we doing?
Nine Statewide Strategies Identified Action Matrix
Five Prioritized by LeadershipRegional Implementation Pilots
Model coordinated service design, delivery with youth partners in 16 regions
Other agencies considering joint funding models
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Strategy #1Public Awareness
Strategy #3Early
Intervention
Strategy #4Outreach &
Support
Strategy #2Early
Identification
Strategy #8PersistentBarriers
Strategy #9Share Data
Strategy #5Increase Alt. Ed.
& Training
Pathways to Success by 21 Statewide Strategic Priorities
Strategy #6Work-Readiness
Assessment
Strategy #7PersistentBarriers
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Deliverables
Short-Term: Resource Map
Long-Term:Youth Web Portal“Phone Book” for non-internet accessMessaging Campaign (Youth & Families)
Strategy 1: Public Awareness
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Strategies 2 & 3:Early Identification & Intervention
Recognized list of risk indicators and guidelines
Inventory of assessment tools, alignment across agencies
Use of MDOE data to identify high-risk students, graduation/drop out data released Spring 2007
Schools get “credit” for alternative degrees earned (incentive for referrals) - done
Statewide Drop-Out Prevention Conference (successful models)
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Strategy 4: Outreach & Support
Gap analysis of state/federal resources supporting case management
Eligibility analysis across funding streams – reduced barriers to enrollment
Align service connections, case management and referrals for transitioning youth
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Strategy 5: Expand Alternative Pathways for Youth
Resource Map to describe gaps in funding
Build state support for increased funding
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New work readiness assessment tool to improve youth employment outcomesBased on streamlined Work-
Based Learning Plan Expand use of standard tool
beyond MDOE and DWD
Strategy 6: Work Readiness Assessment for Youth
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Cross-agency trainings101 forumCORI, Case Management, etc
Integration of multi-agency focus in professional development
Statewide Calendar of PDLong-term: Core competencies for
youth workers
Strategy 7: Unified Staff Development Strategy
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Strategy 8: Address Persistent Barriers
Work with Lt. Governor’s Council on Homelessness and Housing
Connect with DMH initiative on supports for transitioning youth
CORI trainings across youth workers to address (jointly sponsored)
Long-term: Transportation Issues
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Process Measures for statewide P21Identification of statewide youth
indicators across agencies - discrete projects
Build off of K-16 data warehouse On-line source of informationAdd matching from other agencies
Strategy 9: Share Data
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Youth Need Cross-Agency Support: DYS Example
DYS Youth “Touch” Multiple Agencies Typically between the ages 14-17; 87% male 80 % report witnessing violence and met criteria for PTSD 79 % self-reported substance abuse 75 % of girls report DSS involvement 55 % of boys report DSS involvement 40 % were receiving DTA assistance 40% received special education services 45% previous out-of-home placement by another agency 87% from non-traditional homes 40% families on public assistance 75% with prior probation 35% self report weekly alcohol use 50% self report weekly marijuana use
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Reducing DYS Youth Employment Barriers Through P-21 Strategies
Outreach & Support Community Network of Caring Adults – align cross-agency networks (P21
strategy 4) Increase Alternative Education & Training Work Readiness
DYS provides Educational, Medical, Mental Health and Substance Abuse services at it 63 24/7 sites
Improved access to work readiness and employment programs for DYS youth -- work with DOE/P21 team on core “employability competencies” to integrate with DYS educational & vocational programming (P21 Strategy 6)
Staff Development Increase cross –training opportunities to promote consistency among youth
worker staff (P21 Strategy 7) Employment Barriers
Working within the CORI system to maximize each DYS youths’ employment options – working with state partners on joint CORI trainings! (P21 Strategies 7 & 8)
Assist transitioning youth with Medical & Behavioral Healthcare opportunities Promoting success stories among workforce partners
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P21 Results – So Far
Regional P21 Action Plans & Implementation Grants Dedication of cross-agency resources to regional
implementation grants Cross-Agency, Action Plan (& Ownership)
RFP for Youth Web Portal Cross-Training/Calendar of PD
Cross-agency forums for front-line staff “101” on state agency services/resources
Identified Policy and Regulatory Changes Cross-agency resource mapping (draft) Cross-agency eligibility mapping (draft)
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Jennifer JamesMassachusetts Department of Workforce Development
617.626.7124
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