|
Check out our new Washoe County Ready for Life website!
In late 2006, NPEF began conversations with the Education Alliance regarding creating a Ready for Life collaborative in the Reno area. Simultaneously, the Washoe County Manager convened a Youth Services Development Group, composed of public and private youth-serving organizations, to discuss collaboration toward helping more at-risk young people succeed. Participating in these conversations, the Education Alliance recognized this as the appropriate group to embrace Ready for Life. NPEF invited the Youth Services Development Group to submit an application for a planning grant to establish a Ready for Life community collaborative and in June 2007, Washoe County Ready for Life was formed.
.
Washoe County Ready for Life (RFL) members are an inclusive collection of family members, youth, business owners, policy makers, educators, counselors, community activists, public and nonprofit service providers. They are committed to taking necessary action and providing support to the success of RFL and the potentially disconnected youth of Washoe County. Based on that commitment, the following goal and objectives were developed:
Goal: Potentially disconnected youth have improved educational outcomes and are knowledgeable, engaged, financially independent and employable.
Objectives:
- Foster youth are employable, continue education, and are able to support themselves
- High school dropouts are re-engaged, obtain diplomas, and are connected to a career or learning path
- Teen parents complete high school, continue education, and are employed
- New business opportunities provide economic development and personal/professional growth of individuals
Recent accomplishments of Washoe County Ready for Life include:
- Four community workgroups are actively working under volunteer leadership.
- The Washoe County Commission, Washoe County School Board, and the City Councils for Reno and Sparks voted to support the Washoe County Ready for Life work, and each appointed a formal elected liaison.
- In partnership with Reno Sparks Chamber of Commerce, employer surveys went to 1,500 businesses. Most important characteristics desired by employers were honesty, communication skills and dependability.
- Formal collaboration between Sierra Nevada Job Corps and Washoe County School District now allows Job Corps students to earn adult diploma.
- Policy changes allowing excused absences for teen mothers, dual credit (HS and college) expanded to grades 9-10, more tech prep credits, and female inmates to earn adult HS education.
- Reno selected as one of twelve cities nationwide to receive technical assistance grant from National League of Cities for collaborative work on behalf of disconnected youth.
Research has shown that by targeting and impacting at-risk youth, our efforts will filter across and positively impact ALL youth. Please join with us to ensure all Washoe County youth are connected and Ready For Life.
For more information or to get involved with Washoe County Ready For Life, contact Chris Melloway at Ready4Life@washoecounty.us
Washoe County Ready for Life – Assessment of Needs and Conditions for Washoe County’s Most Vulnerable Youth |
