Creative Collaborations between Districts

1. Creative Collaborations between Districts #CVWbeInvolvedwww.cedarvalleywest.org Facebook @CedarValleyWest

2. Cedar Valley West School Districts Superintendent Contact: Jon Thompson, Aplington-Parkersburg Larry Hunt, Dike-New Hartford Tim Kuehl, prior Gladbrook-Reinbeck CassiMurra, Grundy Center

3. Introduction: Cedar Valley West • Began Think Tank in January 2011 & Consortium in spring 2012. • Association for career education and economic developmentbetween a region. • Forward-Thinking Superintendents • Aplington-Parkersburg CSD • Dike-New Hartford CSD • Gladbrook-Reinbeck CSD • Grundy Center CSD • “Hollowing Out the Middle” by Carrand Kefalas • What are we doing to make career and community connections with our students? • Funded 100% by the four public schools. • Staff of one.

4. Introduction: Cedar Valley West Connectingstudents to career opportunities which allow them to make informed educational and career decisions Promotingour region as viablecommunitieswho are providing an outstanding quality of life with extra-ordinary career opportunities.

5. Map of Iowa Intermediary Network April, 2013 Howard Lyon Osceola Dickinson Emmet Winnebago Worth Mitchell Winneshiek Allamakee Kossuth Cedar Valley West Palo Alto Cerro Gordo Sioux O'Brien Clay Hancock Floyd Chickasaw Fayette Clayton Buena Vista Cherokee Humboldt Bremer Pocahontas Plymouth Wright Franklin Butler Workplace Learning Connection Black Hawk Sac Buchanan Delaware Dubuque Webster Woodbury Hardin Grundy Community Career Connections Ida Calhoun Hamilton Jackson Jones Marshall Tama Benton Linn Carroll Greene Boone Story Monona Crawford Clinton Cedar Audubon Guthrie Dallas Harrison Shelby Polk Jasper Poweshiek Iowa Johnson Scott Muscatine Quad Cities Career Connections Student Career Connection Pottawattamie Warren Mahaska Keokuk Washington Cass Adair Madison Marion Louisa Mills Montgomery Monroe Wapello Adams Union Clarke Lucas Des Moines Henry Jefferson Van Buren Davis Appanoose Page Wayne Taylor Ringgold Decatur Fremont Lee

6. Making & Managing Community Connections

7. Convene: Cedar Valley West Engaged Leadership • Local Schools: • Administration, Counselors, Educators, Students and Parents • Career and Technical Advisory Groups, Professional Learning Communities • Higher Education Partners: • Hawkeye Community College and University of Northern Iowa • Business and Industry • Supported by over 100+ businesses • Local, County and Regional Resources • Economic Development, Workforce Development, Extension Offices, etc. • Community Service Organizations • Marketing for Businesses • Share our successes and program • Model for public schools in the State of Iowa, presenters, collaborators and social media users

8. Connect: Cedar Valley West Coordinated services

9. Measure: Cedar Valley West Measurable impacts

10. Sustain: Cedar Valley West Supportive policies • Focus on positive professional relationships • ONE connection between businesses and schools providing age-appropriate and engaging programming. • Funding: split equally • Five-year commitment from schools; in it for the long run. • Staff of one. • Intermediary funding is crucial for expansion of services • Meet with Iowa Intermediaries, committees and IA Legislators on topics of: funding, policies, providing high-quality career programming to all students • Tailor our program to meet each school district’s goals. • Let the Director guide the program. Hiring the right people.