Vonetta Fuller’s Post

We are 4 days away from the C2C Oakland Policy Conference! Don't miss the panel discussion on "Youth + Opportunity: Expanding Summer Youth Employment" taking place this Friday. Robust summer youth employment programs are not just summer gigs; they're investments with exponential benefits. C2C Director Alicia Modestino brings a decade of engaged research showing how supervised work experiences during summers enhance high-school graduation rates and elevate students’ employability, work habits, and family finances. These programs play a crucial role in shifting economic disparities and fostering wellness in cities, with lasting benefits beyond the summer months. However, limited resources often force cities to prioritize quantity over quality in funding summer programs. The panel, facilitated by Sofia Navarro, Interim Director of the Economic and Workforce Development Department, will address challenges head-on. Panelists include: Quinallison Dovey, Youth Program Analyst at the Oakland Workforce Development Board Nicholas Brown, Youth Program Supervisor of Lao Family Community Development, Inc. Selena Wilson, CEO of East Oakland Youth Development Center Ximena Montes, Associate Director of Youth Services at The Unity Council Together, they'll explore how to break down silos between city departments, providers, and industries to create more inclusive and impactful summer youth employment programs. Don't miss out! Register now: https://lnkd.in/gSyWRvp4 #YouthEmployment #SummerJobs #EconomicOpportunity #CommunityDevelopment Alli Chagi-Starr

A few weeks ago, I joined 150 professionals from across the Bay Area to help improve California's Master Plan for Career Technical Education (CTE). https://lnkd.in/eZ8VXi9T This plan hasn't been updated since the 1960s, and it's time for a change! I appreciate the governor's team for committing, investing, and hosting this important discussion. As we work to reshape workforce development, I want to share my key takeaways: Inclusion of Disabled Workers: Despite comprising ~15% of the workforce, disabled workers and organizations are often overlooked. We need to uplift organizations that support them and ensure their voices are honored. Simplifying State Benefits: While Covered CA has made progress with medical and dental, CalFresh still requires improvements. We should eliminate 6-month interviews for full-time college students (assuming FT enrollment and no FT employment), maintain an active status UNTIL application declines vs dropping an application because the applicant missed one phone call from the case worker; all in the pursuit of accessing and maintaining their benefits more easily. Revising Scholarship and Financial Aid Rules: Consider removing unmet need calculations for students below the median cost of living and eliminate taxes on scholarship excesses. Revise Age & Time limits for Services: Individualize goal setting and taper off services based on progression towards completion of set goal (stable housing, full time employment, degree completion, etc.). College Data Sharing and Alumni Networking: Encourage data sharing among colleges, especially employment-related, and invest in alumni mentoring programs. Centralized Scholarship Databases: With $100 million in unawarded scholarships each year, a centralized database could streamline applications and reduce redundancy. This database should have filtration systems as well as automatic detection of eligibility. There is TOO much time wasted on multiple individual apps and unique requirements. (One of my personal faves) Human-Centered 211 Service: A comprehensive, updated system to help individuals access all eligible services with a single application and uniform consent. A one stop shop. Industry Mobility and Advancement: Clearly define career paths to help students understand their prospective career field and provide funding incentives for companies with internal promotions, lived experience representation, etc. Teach college students specifically how the courses and projects they are learning from relate to a job description. Special Job Programs for Disabled Workers: Enhance the California Fair Employment and Housing Act with job programs to designed specific roles for disabled workers at various organizations. I welcome your thoughts and challenges! Please share your resources, and highlight organizations advancing these conversations. Let's keep moving forward. #WorkforceDevelopment #CTE #CaliforniaMasterPlan

Funding Opportunity

LA's #19Strong community colleges are excited to partner with Mayor Karen Bass and the Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board to employ, retain, and advance older workers in LA's growing economy as detailed in the City of Los Angeles' newly released AdvantAGE plan.   With private sector employers facing labor shortages and a need for experienced workers in city public agencies, Angelenos 50+ are an important part of our future workforce. We know their learning curves into new careers are shorter and they play a vital role in the mentorship of younger workers.  Our colleges are best prepared to give older Angelenos the skills they need to meet the needs of employers as was detailed in community meetings and data shared during the development of the AdvantAGE plan.   Acquiring the skills needed to meet these demands can be as simple as finding a college program that is right for you at https://ccla.com/. To read the full AdvantAGE press release visit: https://lnkd.in/gufRF_U5

I am so proud of the outcomes Nudge NGO achieve for young trainees and apprentices. If you are a WA Local Government Association (WALGA), a Member of Civil Contractors Federation WA or really any Western Australian organisation seeking to boost success rates with traineeships, Nudge can assist with successful retention of diverse candidates. Here is just one example of the benefits of Nudge's mentoring and support. #traineeship #mentoring

Please join us today for a great session to learn: Overview of EEOC Laws Rights and responsibilities under EEOC Laws Recognizing uncommon ways that workplace discrimination occurs How to avoid the pitfalls of workplace discrimination #socialwork #nasw #eeoc #eeo #lmsw #lcsw #lbsw #msw #bsw #lgsw

“By broadening financial aid options and identifying valuable #credentials, states are supporting #workforce needs and #communitycollege goals. Lawmakers continue to address workforce development by changing the structure of state agencies, simplifying student access to state programs and including nondegree credentials in #highereducation goals.” Report by National Conference of State Legislatures on Creating Career Pathways.

Excited to see the education spotlight in Tennessee shifting toward innovative, future-focused education models. Now, if only we can get some momentum behind meaningful career exploration as early as the middle grades. Our middle school studio (New School Learning powered by The Lab School of Memphis) has set out to do just that by partnering with businesses for in-person and virtual internships. Internships for middle schoolers not only provide valuable learning opportunities for students but also offer significant benefits to employers. By taking a proactive approach to talent development, and directly involving themselves in cultivating relevant skills for their future pool of workforce candidates, employers can shape the trajectory of the talent pipeline. Engaging with young people during this formative stage allows employers to instill industry-specific knowledge and practical skills early on, ensuring that students are well-prepared for future roles, and for the postsecondary learning required to fill them. The health of our future economy relies heavily on where, how, and WHEN (hint: high school is often too late) we invest today. If you’re an employer or organization looking to partner in reshaping the landscape of education, we have a customizable platform to help you provide interns meaningful community-based learning experiences tailored to the needs and availability of your organization.

Embracing Diverse Pathways to Inclusion As discussions around the future of residential specialist schools continue, I am reminded of an essential truth: Inclusion does not look the same for all ākonga (students). Each learner is unique, possessing distinct strengths, challenges, and needs that shape their educational journey. Last week my team welcomed eight young people and their whānau for a week of thinking and talking about what life beyond school might look like as they think about whether they come for a year of Residential Transition here in Auckland. The recent insights from Nick Armstrong in this article highlight the importance of tailored support systems that recognise and celebrate these differences. For some ākonga, a residential specialist school provides the specialised resources, expertise, and environment necessary for growth and learning. For others, inclusive education may mean being integrated into mainstream schools with appropriate support that allows them to thrive alongside their peers. Key Takeaways: Diversity of Needs: Every student deserves an educational experience that caters to their individual needs. This may involve different environments, teaching styles, and support systems. Flexibility in Education: We must advocate for a flexible educational framework that embraces both residential and mainstream opportunities, ensuring every student can access the best pathway for their development. Collaboration and Understanding: Schools, educators, and whānau need to work collaboratively to identify the best options for each ākonga, respecting their voices and choices in the process. Let’s champion an educational landscape where every ākonga can flourish in a setting that best suits their unique needs. Inclusion must be an ongoing conversation, evolving to ensure that it truly serves all. #Inclusion #DiverseLearning #EducationForAll #SpecialistSchools #EmpoweringStudents https://lnkd.in/ghUSpwm4

Excellent article from Ben Coulter, Ed.D. in WNC Business about why higher education still matters in Western North Carolina. https://lnkd.in/gJjGbZV5 #wgu #highered #northcarolina #business #workforce #westernnorthcarolina