1	NWDC Research Review A Review of the Northwest Workforce Development Council Research Data
2	Purpose Identify the service gaps that all or most of the provided research cited in the reports Link the local research to national and state trends Forecast local needs into the future based on local, state and national data to support local decision-making
3	NWDC Reports Youth Survey (2/2004) Resource Mapping Focus Group Report (7/2003) Youth Audit and Resource Mapping (2/2003) Community Counts-Whatcom County Health Indicator Report (2002) Youth Workforce Development Toolkit (9/2002)
4	Gap Summary Dropout Prevention Homework Support Decision-Making Programs Transition to Work Vocational Counseling Occupational Training Job Placement Paid work Experience Scholarships and Grants
5	2004 Youth Survey Ranking Most Important Transportation Money for College Basic Skills Knowledge Education for Employment Knowing What to Do and What You are Good at Managing Your Anger Health Benefits Coping Skills
6	Youth Survey Least Important Race Disability Work Permit Homelessness Being a Teen Parent Employers don’t Understand Youth
7	Most Critical Gap-Dropout Prevention Importance: High need, low availability National, state and local priority Ability to impact lead indicators that drive other success factors for youth at risk Aligns with Goals one and two for NWDC Increases lifelong education and skills, employment and earnings for youth at risk
8	Dropout Rate Reduction Gaps Programs for racial/ethnic impacted areas Preventive programs and services for high impact areas: juveniles, low income, homeless, disabled, and parenting youth Distribution of youth academic services Services are identified that impact dropout rate, however, there is no initiative to reduce the dropout rate in the region
9	Key findings National, state, and local dropout reduction initiatives make this a priority Washington, and the NWDC region have higher dropout rates than the national average The changing local racial/ethnic profile in region will impact future education and employment. No NWDC initiative exists to reduce dropout rate in the region
10	Exemplary Programs While research has just begun in the program area for reducing dropout rates these school programs that partner with community organizations have experienced success: The Kipp Academy model-success with reducing dropout rates with blacks and Hispanics in New York and Texas-recommended by the Manhattan Institute The Comer School System-developed from Yale University’s School of Medicine’s Child Study Center-recommended by The Search Institute Oakland’s Life Accademy-recommended by The Gates Foundation
11	Challenges Quantifying Results-Government and schools struggle with defining and tracking dropouts making it difficult to quantify results One program doesn’t work for all-Profiles for reducing dropouts differ with different communities Differing Agendas-Dropout reduction requires partnerships with multiple stakeholders and alliances that often have different agendas. Limited resources -often limit outcomes
12	Recommendations Create initiative to reduce regional dropout rate and tie results to national scorecard Track Results - Track results in racial/ethnic, high impact, communities Review Distribution – Increase services in high impact areas. Work with Stakeholders and alliances to profile community needs and tie to the lead indicators, measures for success and best practices Broad-base Funding Sources - Partner with Stakeholders and alliances to establish a broad base of funding to sustain the program over time
13	Transition to Work Importance Provides a link between school and work Develops foundation for future job expectations Tool that reengages kids in school Addresses the economic need of the student
14	Transition to Work Gaps Occupational Training Paid Work Experience Job Placement Vocational Counseling
15	Key Findings Programs addressing academic and vocational training, career focused work experience, job placement and vocational counseling work best Earlier interventions are more successful Structured programs that meet more than once a week with youth are more effective Many studies not replicable in other communities Most promising programs are locally focused
16	Exemplary Programs Career Academies-A blend of school, counseling, and real world work experience. Career Beginnings-Provides mentoring, workforce training and placement, and a competency-based curriculum. Job Corps-Includes academic education, health education, health care, vocational training, job placement, and counseling.
17	Challenges Resources: Getting sufficient number and mix of jobs Personnel: Getting sufficient involvement with mentors and coaches Career Planning: Keep focus on career planning vs getting a job Involvement: Employer, family and community involvement
18	Recommendations Review occupational training programs for balance between academic and vocational preparation. Develop a plan to overcome gaps in job skills training. Link with schools to increase the opportunity for marketable-vocational-skill training. Include skills identified by youth in the 2004 Youth Survey such as anger management and coping.
19	Recommendations-continued Expand linkages with the local business community via Job Developers to: Create/find paid work-experience positions and permanent job placements to satisfy the demand Oversee placement of program participants to insure matching of career interests and competencies Monitor participants and positions. Partner with stakeholders and alliances to establish/extend funding sources to increase the availability of work experience opportunities. Explore alternative programs such as Arts-based
20	Scholarships and Grants Importance Need for diversified funding to sustain programs that support key priorities Need for scholarships to fund individual training and education
21	Gaps Academic Achievement Services Funding Dropout Prevention Services Funding Money for College Program Support
22	Key Findings Increase in scope and number of alliances to achieve goals More collaboration and communication required Reduced silos in funding causing elimination of exclusivity Competition drives need for clarity of purpose to align with funding sources
23	Challenges Reduced funding options Increased competition Larger scope of projects with multiple resources
24	Recommendations Build a network of partnerships to obtain funding Define outcomes Build a data base of funding sources Build a strategy for long term funding Develop methods to help youth secure money for college.
25	2004 Youth Survey Importance Gives a program perspective Identifies gaps and needs in today’s programs Ties gaps to National and State data
26	Key Findings Population of survey respondents were largely female and white. Identified importance of vocational mentoring and counseling preparing for career options. Areas youth identified as non-significant are identified barriers to success in national research Need for financial support for scholarships and funding for transportation program
27	Challenges Resources: Building funding and resources Diversification: Increasing black and Hispanic and male participation Results: Quantifiable impact Involvement: School, parental, community and business partnerships
28	Recommendations Expand Resources Expand development of scholarship and funding resources Diversify Gain greater participation – racial and gender Expand school to work/college preparation Expand decision making programs
29	Final Recommendations Expand focus of existing programs to impact the dropout rate in region Increase the network of Federal, state, Foundation, business, and community resources/partnerships to support current and future programs, scholarships and grants Target programs to reduce specific dropout numbers in the black, Hispanic and low income areas
30	Final Recommendations Engage younger teens in a structured program for occupational training with a focus on paid work experience, job placement, and internships in future growth occupations. Build scholarship, grants and funding for youth at risk long and short term needs. Adapt Strategic Plan to include new initiatives