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Nov 20 2020
Building and Sustaining a Diverse STEM Teacher Pipeline
California is a leader in technological innovation and is known across the world for
putting forward bold, creative solutions in science, technology, engineering, and math
(STEM). Currently, that reputation falls short in California’s public education system: Too
few students in our pre-K through high school classrooms have access to STEM learning
opportunities and well-prepared STEM teachers that reflect the diversity of our state.
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Nov 7 2020
Fellowship Initiative Webinar 11/10/2020
In celebration of the 10-year anniversary of The Fellowship Initiative,

JPMorgan Chase & Co. is partnering with MENTOR to sponsor a two-part series of virtual events focused on the academic and career success of young men of color. We will elevate the research and voices of young leaders, mentors and program partners focused on supporting young men of color in their pursuit of academic, career and life goals. Please join us for one or both of these interactive sessions that will elevate promising practices and bold new ideas.
Young Men of Color Achieving Academic Excellence – November 10 from 2:30-4:00pm EST – This event will highlight research on what young men of color need to achieve academic excellence to and through post-secondary education. It will elevate and engage the voices of young leaders and mentors along with practitioners leading promising practices. We will focus on defining and achieving success in a holistic approach including mental health and wellness, financial literacy, relationships, family engagement, and identity. Register here.
Career Preparation & Success with Young Men of Color – December 15 from 2:30-4:00pm EST – This event will highlight research on what young men of color need to prepare for and succeed in a career. It will elevate the voices of young leaders and mentors along with practitioners and employers dedicated to advancing pathways and opportunities for diverse, emerging talent. We will focus on building and leveraging webs of support to strengthen a pathway to career and beyond. Register here.
EVENT LOGISTICS
Each event will be facilitated on Zoom – see calendar invite.
Each event is 90 minutes.
Welcome remarks (3-5 mins)
Co-moderated panel discussion (45 mins)
Breakout room discussions (30 mins)
Debrief and closing (10 mins)
SPEAKERS
Event #1 – Young Men of Color Achieving Academic Excellence
Co-Moderators:
Marcus Strother – President and CEO of MENTOR California
Harry Johnson – Co-Founder of Brothers@
Panelists:
Brandon Busteed – President of University Partners and Global Head of Learn-Work Innovation at Kaplan, Inc.
Jerome Joseph – Executive Director of America Needs You New York
Edgar Dacto – TFI Fellow and Lafayette College Senior
Jordan Stockdale – Executive Director of the Young Men’s Initiative
Event #2 – Career Preparation & Success with Young Men of Color
Co-Moderators:
Sadiq Ali – Executive Director of Maryland MENTOR
Shemar Clarke – TFI Fellow and Baruch College Senior
Panelists:
Miles Spearman – University of Cincinnati Sophomore
Claude Green – Director of Journeys Diversity & Inclusion at Costco Wholesale
Shannon Varga – Research Assistant Professor in the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development at Boston University and Associate Director of Research and Evaluation for the CERES Institute for Children and Youth
Chauncey Nartay – Managing Partner of the Adult Learning Leaders Institute (ALL IN) and Senior HR Business Partner at General Assembly
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Nov 7 2020
After-School Learning Connecting School and Afterschool With Shared Practices

In Tacoma, a community-wide effort to better serve children is underway, and the first step is common language and shared best practices among the adults.

https://www.edutopia.org/video/connecting-school-and-afterschool-shared-practices?utm_content=linkpos&utm_campaign=dedicatedsend-2020-10-08&utm_source=edutopia-universe&utm_medium=email&fbclid=IwAR0_RrK2f5RqdXPwIbNOgRikxj-k38Agq2PiNIOF8nCQNrk_1iKa9dKaBsc

 

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Nov 7 2020
Moving From the Comfort Zone to the Challenge Zone

When we are faced with challenges, our brains are activated to learn new things—so long as a foundation of safety, belonging, and trust is there as well.

https://www.edutopia.org/video/moving-comfort-zone-challenge-zone?utm_content=linkpos&utm_campaign=dedicatedsend-2020-10-08&utm_source=edutopia-universe&utm_medium=email&fbclid=IwAR3LFPu3berTRE-N__kpMwfVEr1_rh9pcyBmSNabgr7dcRmCos6oxFTU00g

 

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Oct 27 2020
Yr. 1 Dash Board – Youth Reinvestment Program

Year 1 of our CA Board of Community Corrections – Youth Reinvestment Program Dash Board.

Year 1 was a success.

It has been an honor to collaborate and work the City of San Bernardino Municipal Government – Community Prevention Programs on California Board of State and Community Corrections Youth Reinvestment Grant.
Some data captured on the success we had in the first 9 months of the program collaborating with Urban Conservation Corps of the Inland Empire. We look forward to the next 2 years creating opportunities for youth to succeed in life.
A recap of our mission and goals of the program we are providing San Bernardino:
The City of San Bernardino (SB) has been challenged by high levels of crime for decades; likewise, the juvenile population has been negatively impacted. A multitude of factors influence the situation, including: lack of employment, poverty, low levels of education, higher than average school dropout and delinquency rates. These factors create an environment ripe for criminal and gang activity.
The purpose of San Bernardino Youth Reinvestment grant program is to implement an evidence-based, culturally relevant, trauma-informed, and developmentally appropriate
program initiative that addresses the unique needs of youth (ages 14 to 21) that are at risk of or are fluctuating between the child welfare and juvenile justice system.
The San Bernardino Youth Reinvestment grant program will achieve this through the development of a coordinated best practice system of diversion referrals. The program will also use evidence based best-practice Wrap around Case Management
and Social Services, as well as the use of a trauma-informed evidence-based curriculum Operation New Hope. The program will also weave into its program restorative justice
where young people will be involved in community services throughout the City, as well as vocational training through the local Certified Conservation Corps.

 

 

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Oct 26 2020
ONH Weekly Food Program
Our Youth Reinvestment Team Supporting our Community Partner Inland Harvest Food Distribution.  Delivering and providing 100 organizations with over 50,000 pounds of groceries, to provide over 20,000 families with food each week.
Team ONH was able to provide 600 families w/ groceries this week.
It takes a United Community Collaboration to restore our Youth & Community.
Our Village:
San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board
City of San Bernardino Municipal Government – Community Prevention Programs
Inland Harvest
Career Institute
Learn4Life
Learn4Life High Desert
Family Assistance Program
Divine Connections of Hope
Gateway
Urban Conservation Corps of the Inland Empire
Arrowhead Sr. Center
California Board of State and Community Corrections
San Bernardino County Probation Department
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Oct 26 2020
Turnkey – to Help Fund Homeless Epidemic
San Bernardino County has been awarded more than $1.1 million to acquire 8 short-term vacation rentals that will become permanent homes for families and individuals experiencing homelessness, with priority given to elderly individuals with disabilities who are at risk of health complications from COVID-19.
SAN JOSE – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced a major injection of new funding made possible by the Legislature to expand and support the state’s Homekey program, helping thousands of families experiencing or at risk of homelessness find permanent, long-term housing solutions. The nation-leading program, which enables the state to purchase and rehabilitate housing – including hotels, motels and vacant apartment buildings – and convert them to homeless housing has secured an additional $200 million thanks to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee’s approval of a request made by the Governor to use additional Coronavirus Relief Funding for Homekey. This brings the total funding available for Homekey to more than $800 million, continuing the state’s collective efforts to reduce the pandemic’s impact on the most vulnerable Californians.
The additional funding announced today will enable the state to clear most of the Homekey waitlist with two more award tranches to local jurisdictions, including the sixth round released today – $81.4 million to 5 applicants for 6 projects totaling 430 units. To date, more than $709 million has been awarded to 45 applicants and 78 projects totaling 5,068 units. The average per-unit cost to Homekey is $139,000 – well below the average cost in California to build new housing units.
The Governor made the announcement during a visit to an Emergency Interim Housing Community in San Jose, where he was joined by Mayor Sam Liccardo, Assemblymember Ash Kalra and local officials. The site is one of three locations in San Jose providing 307 new emergency homeless housing bedrooms, each featuring a bathroom and shower, funded by the state’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Grant Program and San Jose’s federal CARES Act allocation.
“I thank the Legislature for its partnership in continuing this critical support to help local jurisdictions get thousands of vulnerable Californians off the streets and safely into shelter,” said Governor Newsom. “Local leaders in San Jose and across the state are demonstrating what’s possible when we work hand in hand with our city and county partners to realize immediate impact solutions to tackle this crisis.”
“We continue striving to deploy creative solutions as COVID-19 exacerbates the housing crisis and puts thousands on the street, and with the financial help we receive from Homekey, we are expanding our efforts to provide permanent housing to our homeless neighbors. I am grateful to Governor Newsom for his staunch support in our fight to end homelessness,” said Mayor Liccardo.
The sixth round of awards includes projects in the following communities:
Los Angeles County has been awarded more than $24.1 million to create 135 units of interim housing with the goal of permanently housing people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. Residents will receive supportive services.
The City of Oakland has been awarded nearly $17.5 million for two projects. One will convert a recently rehabilitated hotel into 82 units for some of Alameda County’s most vulnerable residents, the other will provide 21 units of permanent housing with supportive services, with priority given to veterans with Veterans Affairs Housing Vouchers.
San Francisco has been awarded more than $29.1 million dollars to convert a 130-room property into permanent housing with supportive services. Residents will immediately begin receiving supportive services to create more stability in their lives.
Santa Clara County has been awarded more than $9.5 million to acquire a 54-unit property that will serve as permanent housing and interim housing, both with supportive services for people who previously experienced homelessness. The property will eventually be developed into 110 units of new permanent supportive housing.
San Bernardino County has been awarded more than $1.1 million to acquire 8 short-term vacation rentals that will become permanent homes for families and individuals experiencing homelessness, with priority given to elderly individuals with disabilities who are at risk of health complications from COVID-19.
The five previous awards can be found here:
October 16, 2020
October 9, 2020
September 28, 2020
September 21, 2020
September 16, 2020
Building on the success of Project Roomkey, Governor Newsom in July announced the availability of $600 million in funding for Homekey, the next phase in the state’s response protecting Californians experiencing or at risk of homelessness, following approval by the Legislature as part of the 2020-21 annual state budget. Of that, $550 million was provided to cities and counties by California’s direct allocation of the federal Coronavirus Aid Relief Funds, with an additional $50 million provided by the state to supplement the acquisition and provide initial operating funds. The Homekey funds are being expended in compliance with federal regulations in response to COVID-19. The Governor has also announced a partnership with Enterprise Community Partners, a nonprofit dedicated to developing affordable housing, to distribute $45 million in funding – $20 million from Blue Shield of California and $25 million from Kaiser Permanente – to support operating subsidies for Homekey projects.
HCD began accepting applications for Homekey on July 22, 2020. The response from local governments and housing providers has been significant – demonstrating the strength of these state-local partnerships. By the application deadline of September 29, a total of 147 applications had been received from 73 entities statewide, with over $1 billion requested.
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Oct 26 2020
A study on Missing, Abducted, Runaway, & Thrown away Children aka NISMART
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has supported WESTAT in a study on missing, abducted, runaway, and thrown away children also known as NISMART

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NISMART-4 Study Is Underway!
The Fourth National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway and Thrown away Children (NISMART-4), mandated by the 1984 Missing Children’s Assistance Act (Pub. L. 98–473), is underway.
This survey is sponsored by the Office of Justice Programs’ Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and managed by the National Institute of Justice. The National Law Enforcement Survey on Stereotypical Kidnapping will be used to gather information to estimate the number of children who were abducted by strangers between January 1 and December 31, 2019.
Data will be collected from a national sample of law enforcement agencies with authority to investigate stereotypical kidnappings. Research staff with Westat and the University of New Hampshire may be writing to or calling your agency to collect data about stereotypical (stranger) kidnappings.
To view the full report:
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Oct 26 2020
The Hechinger Report – ‘Free College’ programs sound great – but who gets excluded?

‘Free college’ programs sound great – but who gets excluded?

Many states have so many restrictions that the students who need free college most can’t get it
by DELECE SMITH-BARROW

At a time when higher education is in constant flux – some of it is online, some of it is in person with students at a social distance, some of it is in hybrid form – at least one part remains constant: It’s expensive. Theaverage cost of tuition and fees at a four-year, nonprofit, private institution was $36,900 in 2019-2020 for a full-time student. For an in-state student at a public institution, it was $10,400.

Numbers like these could make any student or family inquire about free-college programs. And they sound great in politicians’ speeches, too. But upon closer examination, many of these programs exclude students who could most benefit from them, according to a new report from The Education Trust, a nonprofit organization that advocates for historically underserved students.

Rules about how old the student is permitted to be or how many credithours can be taken, for example, create unforeseen challenges, said Tiffany Jones, Education Trust’s senior director of higher education policy. And few programs cover costs like books or transportation.

These programs may be popular, Jones said, “but they don’t always have the support they need politically to invest the dollars necessary to actually make college more affordable for the students who struggle the most to pay. So one of the ways they’re able to reduce the scope and the cost is by limiting who gets it.”

Jones said there may be hundreds of local programs across the country that cover college costs, but many are more akin to merit scholarships or are reserved for certain disciplines. Ed Trust wanted to find out which programs were broad and accessible, she said. The researchers examined only free-college programs that are state-funded, allow anyone in the state to enroll, cover tuition costs at two-year or four-year institutions, don’t require a minimum ACT score of 20 or a 3.0 GPA, and were launched by July 2020. The last point is noteworthy, Jones said, because a state may have wanted an expansive free-college program but been prevented from starting one by the pandemic. Ed Trust focused on programs that had been underway for at least one cohort of students.

There were 23 statewide programs, ranging from California to Rhode Island, that met Ed Trust’s criteria. (In 2018, when Ed Trust last reported on statewide free-college programs, only 15 met their benchmarks.) Some states even have more than one program. But of the 23 programs, 13 exclude students who want to enroll part-time, 11 don’t allow undocumented students to enroll and 14 don’t cover any living costs.

“The last thing you want to do is some sort of bait and switch, where students were under the impression that college was free, they did all the things, they enrolled and then they’re getting billed and they don’t understand why.”

Tiffany Jones, senior director of higher education policy, The Education Trust

Only the Washington College Grant program was fully inclusive, according to the report. It allows for students who are undocumented, part-time, returning and those in the criminal justice system; it also applies to students in registered apprenticeships. Plus, the program covers at least four years of tuition and living costs.

Because most free college programs focus on community colleges, it’s important that they cover expenses beyond tuition, Jones said.

“Community colleges do not have a tuition problem,” she said. “Community college students struggle to pay because of all of the other costs, and those costs make up about 80 percent of the full cost of attendance.”

Another reason the Washington College Grant program stands out is that it garnered support outside of local government, Jones said. It was enacted as part of the state’s Workforce Education Investment Act, which Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law in 2019.

“The program will be funded by businesses that will pay an additional surcharge on the current business and occupation tax that they already pay,” according to a Medium post from the governor’s office. “This means larger firms such as Amazon and Microsoft — companies that boast a high demand for an educated workforce — shouldering more of the financial burden.”

While it’s hard to pinpoint a perfect free-college program, many excel at enrolling low-income, underrepresented minority students.

In a study of 33 free-college programs at community colleges, first-time, full-time enrollment for Black, Latino and female students increased at a higher rate in these programs than at nearby institutions without this offering. Compared to the seven nearest community colleges, those with a free-college program saw a 47 percent greater enrollment of Black men and a 51 percent greater enrollment of Black women, according to results published this week in the journal Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis.

Because it’s clear that free-college programs attract underrepresented students, Jones said it’s critical that policymakers focus on making sure the programs can really meet the needs of these students.

“The last thing you want to do is some sort of bait and switch, where students were under the impression that college was free, they did all the things, they enrolled and then they’re getting billed and they don’t understand why,” she said.

This story about free college programs was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news outlet focused on innovation and inequality in education. To view and visit Hechinger Report, follow the link below.

https://hechingerreport.org/free-college-programs-sound-great-but-who-gets-excluded/?fbclid=IwAR3MzYD1QRasHHKwyWb-EnFyt1ODdnp0Aj_VySzajxoR6tWFpAcNMQQkh1Y

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Sep 14 2020
4 Ways Leaders Can Keep Learning This Year (And Every Year!)

4 Ways Leaders Can Keep Learning This Year (And Every Year!)

Author Sean Morris: http://learnfit.org/sean/

Leadership isn’t a rank you achieve. It’s a skill you constantly hone. And for community leaders in charge of a job so important as creating pathways for youth to walk in success, perfecting your leadership is a job that’s never done. Whether it’s becoming a better communicator, refining your youth engagement skills, or improving your personal habits, there’s always more to learn to become a better leader. For Operation New Hope mentors and anyone else who wants to improve their community leadership skills, these learning opportunities are a great place to start.

Hone Your Soft Leadership Skills

Soft skills are key for all leaders, but especially those who work with youth. Use these tips from Forbes to improve your soft skills and become a stronger leader in the process.

  • Build better personal habits. Whether it’s learning to stay calm in stressful situations or improving your time management skills, constant self-improvement is key for anyone in a leadership position.
  • Become a better listener. Listening helps leaders gain trust from the people they serve as well as learn useful insights to inform their leadership role.
  • Assess your emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is where a leader’s people skills come from, and it’s an essential soft skill for today’s leaders.
  • Not sure where you need to improve? Ask for feedback. Honest feedback is difficult to ask for, but it’s an essential step for personal and professional growth.

Read Books About Leadership

For a big picture look at what it means to lead — along with plenty of practical tips — turn to books from leadership experts like Brené Brown and Stephen R. Covey. These four books will help you change your habits and mindset as a leader.

  • The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations, by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner, examines case studies to extract the practices necessary for successful leadership.
  • Covey’s 1989 best-seller, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, details seven ethics that leaders should follow in order to manifest their vision.
  • Brené Brown has several outstanding books on leadership, including the popular Dare to Lead: Brave Work, Tough Conversations, Whole Hearts, which explores themes of courage and vulnerability in leadership.
  • Off the Clock: Feel Less Busy While Getting More Done, by author Laura Vanderkam, is a must-read for anyone who struggles to juggle the demands of leadership and everyday life.

Listen to Podcasts That Inspire You

Whether you need motivation to keep going in a challenging role or tips on becoming your best self, podcasts are the perfect resource. Listen to these motivational podcasts for bite-sized information and actionable tips from expert guests across all types of fields.

  • The School of Greatness is a podcast designed to inspire you to greatness with high-profile guests and techniques for dreaming bigger and making an impact.
  • Can you change your life by changing your mindset? That’s the question that hosts Kathryn Bryant and Julian Illman explore in Changeability, a weekly self-improvement podcast that you can consume in under an hour.
  • The Art of Charm from hosts AJ and Jordan Harbinger offers tips on charisma, connection, and self-improvement from a wide variety of professionals, authors, and coaches.
  • For quick tips and insights, listen to Where There’s Smoke from Brett Gajda and Nick Jaworski. This podcast covers topics like gratitude, willpower, and criticism with actionable tips to help you improve.

Attend Online Courses in Leadership

Self-directed learning is great for digging into leadership concepts, but when you want to perfect a particular skill, look to guided lessons. Luckily, you don’t have to spend much to find educational content online thanks to massive online open courses, or MOOCs. Here’s what to know before enrolling in your first MOOC.

  • Many MOOCs can be audited at no cost, but you may need to pay in order to earn a certificate or credential. Paid access also comes with additional features like instructor feedback.
  • Some platforms, like edX and Coursera, even offer degree programs. These degrees are flexible and affordable compared to traditional degrees.
  • You don’t have to pay to access high-quality content, however. Many MOOCs are developed in coordination with top universities, including Ivy League universities like Harvard and Columbia University.

 

Learning can be formal or informal, take a few minutes or a few months. What’s more important than how you learn as a leader is that you keep learning. By constantly striving for self-improvement, you can rest assured that you’re giving your best to the community you serve.

 

 

 

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