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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

jennifer.james@state.ma.us