Pathways to Success by 21 A Collaboration of State and Regional Partners Supporting Youth

1. Pathways to Success by 21A Collaboration of State and Regional Partners Supporting Youth Jennifer James Deputy Director of Workforce Development Massachusetts

2. Our Common Challenge Economic & Life Success for Youth • Impact of Degree Attainment on Income Transition-aged youth is a national focus: • Graduation/Drop Outs • DSS/DYS Youth • Youth with Disabilities (MPYE) • Low-income, low-skilled • Youth with Mental Health Issues

3. Impact of Education on Income

4. 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 • Analysis of Regional Action Plans • Creation of Statewide Strategic Action Plan • Prioritize Action Steps with Leadership • 350+ regional/state partners participated: more to go!

5. What did we learn? • Issues Identified by Youth, Youth Voice Committees • Connections to Adults – Individual Interests/Needs of Youth • Family and Community Support Systems – Holistic Approach • New Learning Environments – Small, Flexible, “Youth Friendly” • Practice Opportunities – Employability and Life Skills • Agency Perspective – Partnership, Coordination, Innovation • Issues Identified in Regional Strategic Action Plans(In parentheses # of Plans Identified as Barrier; Voice of Youth Providers, Agencies, Youth) • Additional support from “caring adults” for at-risk youth (15) • Access to key information and resources for youth, their families, and youth workers (15) • Drop-out prevention & recovery strategies and resources - (14) • Partnership and coordination among youth serving agencies and organizations that serve youth (14) • Availability of skills/training opportunities for youth (12)

6. P21 Organizing Principles Educational /Skill Attainment Employment Teaching, Learning, & Employability Methods Drop Out Prevention/ Recovery Access & Outreach to Youth “Caring Adult” e.g. case management, mentoring Support Services Youth Voice & Accountability Partnership & Coordination (System Integration & Planning) System Capacity & Funding Intensive Interaction with Youth Customized Strategies to Address Minority Gaps Data & Measurement In-School Youth Out-of-School Youth

7. P21 STATEWIDE STRATEGIES • Nine Action Strategies Identified • See handout • Five Prioritized by Leadership • Highlighted in Yellow • Work Plans in Progress (ownership) • Regional Pilots • Model coordinated service delivery with youth partners in 16 regions

8. Next Steps • P21 Regional Action Grants - Umbrella Application • Grants for regional strategies (15% funding) • Partnerships between ABE, Perkins, WIA and others to increase capacity for GED, skill training and case management of out-of-school, at-risk youth • Potential for direct out reach to TANF youth • State Funding for Cross Training • Cross-agency forums • Professional development for adult education and youth population • “101” on state agency services/resources

9. P21 Results – So Far • Regional P21 Reports & Action Steps • Dedication of cross-agency resources to regional implementation grants • Cross-Agency, Action Plan (& Ownership) • RFP for Youth Web Portal • Cross-Training • 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)

10. CONTACT INFORMATION Jennifer James Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development 617.626.7124 jennifer.james@state.ma.us