NEAL DENTONSENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS OFFICERYMCA OF THE USA

ANGIE REESE-HAWKINSPRESIDENT AND CEOYMCA OF METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON, DC

KEVIN WASHINGTONPRESIDENT AND CEOYMCA OF THE USA

KAREN PITTMANCO-FOUNDER, PRESIDENT AND CEOTHE FORUM FOR YOUTH INVESTMENT

®

Messaging the Essentials: Why Youth Belonging

and Purpose Matter and How Staff Contribute

Karen Pittman, President and CEO

The Forum for Youth Investment

YMCA National Advocacy Days March 3, 2020

New Science Findings Support Ys Investments in Staff and

Programs, Especially those for Teens and Young Adults

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1. Adolescence is a critical developmental period in a young person’s life

that creates the foundation for later success.

2. New research reveals important opportunities for building skills and

competencies that should inform practice and policy decisions.

3. A focus on adolescence highlights the need for greater alignment and

problem-solving across systems and sectors that impact thriving.

4. Working with adolescents is a unique opportunity to develop and

advocate for solutions with young people, not just for them.

Skills Develop Across Settings & Over Time to Support Young Adult Success

The 2015 UChicago Consortium on School Research Report, Foundations for Young Adult Success, funded by the Wallace Foundation, helps us understand how the skillsets and mindsets build over time and interconnect and contribute to success.

https://www.wallacefoundation.org/knowledge-center/Documents/Foundations-for-Young-Adult-Success.pdf

1. Adolescence is a critical developmental

period in a young person’s life that creates the

foundation for later success

Ys work across the age span from

early childhood to young adulthood

Potential is visible in environments designed to reveal it

2. New research reveals opportunities for building skills and competencies that should inform practice and policy decisions

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Adversity doesn’t just happen tochildren, it happens insidetheir brains and bodies.

We can design environments that

correct for the impact of stress

and drive healthy development

for al l chi ldren and youth.

The brain is

malleable.

Capacity + Motivation + Opportunity = Behavior, NOT GENES

- T TURNAROUND'.J FOR CHILDREN

THE MARSHMALLOW TEST REVISITED IUniversity of Rochester 2012

Well-Resourced

and Aligned Infrastructur

e Inclusive and Safe

Communities

Supportive Relationshi

ps

Ecosystem for Youth

Opportunity and Belonging

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3. A focus on teens/young adults facilitates greater alignment and problem-solving across systems

Education

Pre-K

K-12

Post Secondary Education& Career Certification

Community Programs

Community, Faith, Civic and Social Justice Organizations

Afterschool/Summer

Employment Training/Exposure

Child Welfare

Juvenile Justice

Police

Safety/Remediation

Housing

Health/Mental Health

Social Services Transportation

Basic Services

Science of Learning &

Development applies to All

Youth Experiences

Science of Learning & Development applies

to All Youth Experiences

Five Non-Negotiable Conditions

These five non-negotiables are needed to support whole child design

The Power YOU Carry

“I’ve come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It’s my personal approach that creates the climate. It’s my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or dehumanized.”

Dr. Haim Ginott

From Risk Takers to Alternative/

Opportunity Seekers

4. Unique opportunity to develop and

advocate for solutions with young

people, not just for them

The Power YOU Carry Together4. Unique opportunity to develop and

advocate for solutions with young

people, not just for them

“I’ve come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It’s my personal approach that creates the climate. It’s my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or dehumanized.”

Dr. Haim Ginott

Youth and Adults Can Co-Create Environments Intentionally and Work for

Change Together

Across the U.S., 13 States had state designated funding streams

specifically for afterschool in 2019

A number of other states include

afterschool as an allowable use in

school funding formulas, student

success dollars, local levy uses,

STEM funds, social, emotional

and wellness initiatives,

community schools and more

Examples of state funding for Afterschool

California

$650M

In 2002, California passed a voter initiative referendum known as Prop 49 to begin the Afterschool Education and

Safety Program (ASES). Legislation now provides $650 million dollars for programs across the state.

Tennessee

$13.5M

The Lottery for Education: Afterschool Programs (LEAP) was created in 2002 to reserve unclaimed lottery funds

for public and non-profit academic focused afterschool programs serving students aged 5-18 with priority for

programs enrolling 80% high-need students. In 2019, the fund was $13.5 million.

Connecticut

Additional $1M

In 2005, established an “After school program grant”. Annual reporting from the program in 2014-15 showed it

served about 6,000 students and that participants over time had increased attendance and fewer discipline

infractions. In 2019, the state provided an additional $1 million appropriation to the program.

Alaska

12.5% Sales Tax Revenue

Department of Health and Social Services administers a percentage (12.5%) of the state’s tax revenue from

marijuana sales for afterschool programs.

Afterschool in 2020

Jan 14, 2020: City Council

Member Ben Kallos proposes

legislation for Universal

Afterschool in

New York City

Jan 9, 2020: Vermont Governor

Phil Scott gives State of the State

address proposing to expand

afterschool opportunities for the

whole state

Candidates for the 2020

election publish education

plans inclusive of

investments in afterschool

ABBY KIESADIRECTOR OF IMPACTCENTER FOR INFORMATION & RESEARCH ON CIVIC LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT (CIRCLE)

Local Ecosystems for Increasing and Diversifying Youth Civic Engagement

Why I Work at CIRCLE

"Because whether and how communities intentionally ask and create clear opportunities for diverse input, participation, and attention to inequities says a great deal about our democracy."

• Building and nurturing youth voices

• Connecting engagement with young people’s own lives

• Education for liberation

• Institutional intentionality

Who am I?

Why talk about youth civic engagement?

@TischCollege @civicyouth

•Who participates? Votes?

•What are their experiences?

•What do they do after?

CIRCLE Research

Research Informs Action &

More Inclusive Systems

•Equitable representation

•Diverse Youth Voices

•Thriving Communities

Future of

Democracy

What We Do

Jumps in Engagement in 2018

Youth voter turnout in 2018 increased in EVERY STATE we looked at…

• In 31 states, youth turnout increased by double digits

• In 19 states, it increased by 15 or more percentage points

• In 5 states, it increased by 20 or more percentage points

Voter Turnout Among 18-19 Year Olds Was High

…WE CAN DO BETTER. WHEN ALL OF US KNOW OUR

POTENTIAL.

This was incredible, but…

AND…

…BECAUSE OF STRUCTURAL BARRIERS, SOME YOUTH REMAIN UNDERMOBILIZED

…SO, WHO’S SYSTEMATICALLY LEFT OUT?

…MOST OF WHAT WE SAW IN 2018 OCCURRED B/C OF YOUTH SECTOR HUSTLE

High School Students Were Undermobilized

How can the way communities build engagement shift

so they do not reify political inequalities?

...TO A WIDE DIVERSITY OF YOUTH?

MEANINGFULACCESSIBLEVISIBLE

How can conversations about and participation be…

A paradigm shift . . .

“Mobilizing”Voters

FROM

“Growing”Voters

TO

Lack of consistent & positive representation of

youth engagement in media

Negative Perception of Political Leaders

Low Exposure toCivic Practices

Barriers to engagement start before age 18

Many stakeholders can influence youth engagement, both positively and negatively…

Community Conditions

Local Voter

Outreach

Civic Culture

Youth

Election Administrators

Neighborhoods

County or Municipal programming

Local nonprofit community/social service centers

Local Youth Organizations School Civic

Climate

find opportunities to grow engaged community membersin all parts of young people’s lives

COMMUNITY HOME WORK SCHOOL

AND WE NEED MANY STAKEHOLDERS TO SUPPORT A DIVERSITY OF PATHWAYS

We got this! When ALL of us are contributing to young people’s pathways.

More of us working to

support diverse youth voices

Start earlier than 18 years old

Create a culture of civic

engagement

More informed and equitable engagement

YOUR Y’S ROLE IN CIVIC ENGAGEMENTDEBI LOMBARDI, Partner Engagement Manager, Nonprofit VOTE

XITLAALI CASTELLANOS, YMCA Youth Advocate

STEPHEN BUCKNER, Assistant Director of Communications, U.S. Census Bureau

SHARON LEVY, Vice President, Public Affairs, YMCA of Greater New York

LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES OVERVIEW

ELENA ROCHA, Senior Director, Youth Development Partnerships & Policy, Y-USA

KATIE ADAMSON, Vice President, Health Partnerships & Policy, Y-USA

NEAL DENTON, Senior Vice President and Chief Government Affairs Officer, Y-USA

YOUTH DEVELOPMENTPRIORITY REQUEST

➢ Support afterschool and summer learning programs by providing $1.35 billion for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC)

LEARNING HAPPENS EVERYWHERE

• OST programs are vital to the fabric of community supports available to young people

• OST programs complement what happens during the school day

• 85% of Y afterschool programs take place in schools

The Waking Hours

AFTERSCHOOL & SUMMER PROGRAMSAT THE Y

Thingamajig

Soccer, Gymnastics, Swimming,

Tennis

BOLD & GOLDReach &

Rise

Counselor in

Training

Power Scholars Academy

Youth and Government

Arts

Achievers

Summer Learning

Loss Prevention

WHY OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMS?

Experiential Learning

& On-the-Job

Training

Character Development

Volunteerism&

ServiceLearning

Protective Factors

Health & Wellness

Academic Achievement

AFTERSCHOOL ROI & IMPACT

Youth in after school programs demonstrate improved:

Older students in after school programs are more likely to:

• Classroom engagement & behavior• School attendance• Grades & work habits• Reduced risky behavior (tobacco,

alcohol & drug use)

• Attend college• Vote• Volunteer

Every $1 invested in afterschool programs saves up to $3 by increasing young people’s learning potential, improving student performance in school, and reducing crime and welfare costs.

CONNECT WITH YOUR AUDIENCETARGETED MESSAGES

Stakeholders – across sectors – care about school readiness, literacy and graduation rates, the skills gap, economic stability, and national security.

This is why afterschool programs are seen as:

Family Supports

Workforce Readiness

Resiliency & Well-being

Crime Prevention

Military Readiness

Achievement Gap

ADDRESSING THE SKILLS GAP

More than half of employers lack qualified candidates with essential skills.

More than 75% of youth express concerns over whether they have the skills necessary to secure a job.

OST builds foundational skills:• Teamwork & collaboration• Communication • Critical thinking & problem-

solving• Self-control & confidence

OST introduces students to:• New interests• Career paths• Real world work experience• Opportunity to practice skills

CURBING JUVENILE CRIME

Juvenile crime peaks after school.

1 in 5 kids are unsupervised from 3-6 pm, the hours when juvenile crime, victimization, and drug use peak

Increased access to quality afterschool programs have contributed to a 70% reduction in juvenile arrest rates since 2000.

- Fight Crime: Invest in Kids (2019)

MITIGATING EFFECTS OF TRAUMA

Childhood exposure to trauma can impact: • Development• Mental & physical wellbeing• Healthy relationships• Academic achievement • Further fuel cycles of

violence, unemployment and poverty

Afterschool programs foster protective factors by helping youth develop:

• Positive self-concept• Competence• Self-efficacy• Agency• Self-regulation• Problem-solving• Decision-making• Interpersonal skills• Belonging• Connectedness

PROMOTING MILITARY READINESS

71% of young adults -ages 17 to 24 - cannot qualify for military service because they:• Are not academically

prepared• Are too overweight• Have a record of crime or

drug abuse

- Pentagon, 2017

Afterschool programs support military readiness by:

• Promoting physical health and wellness through physical activity and education, nutrition education, and healthy eating

• Academic achievement• Juvenile crime and drug use

SUPPORTING WORKING FAMILIES

Parents lose 8 days of work, and businesses lose up to $300 billion a year, due to parental concerns about afterschool care.

Too many parents lack access to quality, affordable care for their school-aged children.

Afterschool programs:• Help parents balance work

and life• Give parents peace of

mind knowing their kids are in safe environments with caring adults

• Help working parents provide for their families

ADVANCING THE FIELD

Positive Youth Development

Positive Experiences

Positive Environments

Positive Relationships

PRIORITY “ASK” & KEY MESSAGES

REQUEST: Support $1.35 billion for 21st CCLC, which support locally-designed OST programs – provided in partnership with schools and community-based organizations.

• A $100 million increase = an additional 100,000 kids to afterschool programming

• Current funding serves 1.7 million children, yet 19 million children care for themselves after the school bell rings.

• 21st CCLC funding supports 1 in 5 YMCA afterschool programs.

• This is a bipartisan issue!

HEALTHY LIVINGPRIORITY REQUEST

➢ Prioritize investments in chronic disease prevention and control by supporting no less than $1.73 billion for CDC’s Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Programs to prevent and control the nation’s leading causes of death and disability.

WHAT FACTORS IMPACT HEALTH?HOW IS YOUR Y IMPACTING HEALTH?

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HEALTH CARE SPENDING IN US – AND WHAT IT’S BUYING US

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WHAT’S THE FUTURE OF HEALTH LOOK LIKE IN THE US?

WHAT WE SPEND ON PREVENTION VS TREATMENT IN THE US

Prevention: $1 BILLION Treatment: $3+ TRILLION

INVESTMENTS IN PREVENTION YIELD SAVINGS AND A HEALTHIER AMERICA

➢ $10 per person per year in proven community-based programs to increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and prevent smoking and other tobacco use could save the country more than $16 billion annually within five years.

➢ This is a return of $5.60 for every $1.

HEALTHY LIVINGPRIORITY REQUEST

➢ Prioritize investments in chronic disease prevention and control by supporting no less than $1.73 billion for CDC’s Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Programs to prevent and control the nation’s leading causes of death and disability.

ADDRESS YEARS OF LOST FUNDING AND PROVIDE A MODEST INCREASE

This $500 million increase makes up for years of lost funding and provides a modest increase

TALKING POINTS

Prioritize Investments in Chronic Disease Prevention and Control at CDC✓ Please support $1.73 billion in funding for CDC’s Chronic Disease

Control and Prevention programs.✓ These dollars help Ys scale evidence-based programs that prevent

and control diabetes, arthritis, hypertension and childhood obesity and programs to help cancer survivors reclaim their health. These dollars reduce health inequity and build walkable and bikeable communities.

✓ For every dollar we invest in prevention of disease we save $5.60.✓ By prioritizing prevention funding at CDC’s chronic disease

center, we can help reduce chronic disease, save lives and rein in health care costs.

ONE LAST REQUEST-DROWNING PREVENTION

✓ Fatal drowning is the leading cause of unintentional deaths for children ages 0 to 4 years old.

✓ 64 percent of African-American and 45 percent of Hispanic children cannot swim.

✓ The Y is the nation’s swim instructor, delivers swim lessons to more than 1 million children each year.

✓ These dollars would support organizations like the Y to teach kids water safety skills.

✓ More than 1,250 Y branches (500+ associations) run Safety Around Water programs to help teach kids how not to drown.

MESSAGE: Support $5 million for Drowning Prevention at CDC.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITYPRIORITY REQUEST

➢ Support the Charitable Giving Tax Deduction Act, and other similar measures that ensure nonprofits like the Y can continue to address needs and support everyone in their communities: H.R. 651, H.R. 1260 & H.R. 5293

TAX REFORM – CHARITABLE GIVING

Increase charitable giving by supporting a universal deduction that encourages more giving. The Universal Charitable Giving Act is a good starting point to ensure that tax reform unlocks more charitable giving.

• The doubling of the standard deduction in the new tax law is decreasing the number of people who itemize deductions.

• This creates an unintended consequence of fewer individuals making charitable donations.

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A Universal Charitable Deduction

• A universal charitable deduction would allow non-itemizing taxpayers a deduction for their charitable gifts.

• A universal charitable deduction will incentivize all taxpayers—regardless of income—to give to charity.

• Congress can address this unintended consequence and increase charitable giving by enacting a universal charitable deduction.

For every $1 a donor receives in tax relief, the public receives $3 in benefits.

PRIORITY REQUESTS➢ Support afterschool and summer learning programs by

providing $1.35 billion for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC).

➢ Prioritize investments in chronic disease prevention and control by supporting no less than $1.73 billion for CDC’s Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Programs.

➢ Support the Charitable Giving Tax Deduction Act, and other similar measures that ensure nonprofits like the Y can continue to address needs and support everyone in their communities.

➢ Invite them to visit your Y!

QUESTIONS?