The Youthworks ML2 Program Evaluation Taskforce

The DC Promise Neighborhood Initiative (DCPNI) draws upon promising practices from a national body of work that suggest that dual-generation programming is an effective strategy for breaking the cycle of poverty. Specifically, two-generation strategies that suggest integrating education, employment opportunities, and peer support for parents and academic and support services for their children will produce far more promising outcomes for both the parents and their child.

This summer I worked in New York City at Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ), which is a non-profit organization for poverty-stricken children and families in Harlem, providing free support in the forms of parenting workshops, a pre-school program, three public charter schools, child-oriented health programs that serve approximately 13,705 children and 13,784 adults. The Harlem Children’s Zone Project has expanded the HCZ’s comprehensive system of programs to nearly 100 blocks of Central Harlem and aims to keep children on track throughout college and into the job market. The organization is made-up of about twenty two programs in total that ensure there are no gaps in-between one phase to the next. For instance if a student needs to take a year off before attending college, HCZ has created programs that will stick with the student during this time frame, in other words providing these students with a strong support group so they are held accountable to attend college in the future. The HCZ is “aimed at doing nothing less than breaking the cycle of generational poverty for the thousands of children and

Knowledge is Power Program has changed the students lives even outside of school. A majority of the kids are waking before six to get ready

Primary clients and stakeholders involved in the program are: teens, parents, volunteers, schools the teen court coordinator Tamisha Fletcher, judges, Teen Court Advisory Board, City of Arlington officials, and the community service agencies who provide work for teens to complete community service hours. The program’s success depends on

Our program provides a great foundation in influencing children’s health, which in turn fosters important areas of development, which children need in order to grow healthy and ready to succeed in school. This involves a joint collaboration between the program, families and the community by providing essential services to the children that include a nutritional meal plan, health and related services such as screenings for children and services for children that are ill.

The Phoenix Youth Achievement Program is long term program that provides low income Phoenix Hispanic youth the opportunity and support they need so they are able to obtain a high quality education that will allow them to achieve college and career goals in their future as well as be provided with the opportunity to embrace their home culture, language and country. The Phoenix Youth Achievement program will provide the support, resources, tools, opportunities, networking, and academic experiences from pre-kindergarten to their senior year that will allow the student to achieve a quality education. The PYAP will also help the students prepare for their college and career goals. In addition to helping achieve

They state that such programs should be based on understanding that there are many ways to learn. They also highlighted programs that were found to be successful among 6th through 8th grade students, who are at risk. The most common strategies that helped teachers were quality classroom management plans, basic competencies, and different support solutions to support teachers and students (Chalker & Brown,

The New Jersey State Department of Education received government, state, and local funding for youths ages 5-17, as part of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program. The question is; how can the states revise and disperse the amount of funding allocated for after-school programs for the current number of children enrolled? How can we raise awareness about the higher enrollment after-school programs offered for children of all ages? The current data shows the ratio of children enrolled versus the number of children not enrolled, offset the amount of dispersed funds, and varies state to state. The New Jersey Department of education allocates the funded money towards after-school programs housed at public schools with a high enrollment rate while other states do not. This leaves a huge gap in society with not enough funds creatively used towards youth programs. Children of all ages should have access to an after- school educational program and support from within their community. Common motivational goals set forth in the evaluation for this program are, for children to receive the enhancement of moral values, equality, and diversity through after-school educational programs within their local school districts. This evaluation is based on the logic model format and designed to meet the needs and demands assessment criteria. Weighing the outcome of an economical developed society in which graduation rates will increase. While, in past the government started

The overview of these three programs and attaining them is optimal, essentially a cycle of opportunity. By providing these services it develops a base for a long-term goal of achieving self-sufficiency and out of poverty. However, the accessibility of these beneficial resources may be difficult to obtain based on eligibility. New ideas that may help improve or reduce disparities in future programs can begin by concentrating on and expanding educational resources. For instance, a program that holds educational sessions on a monthly base, targeting communities, informing families of available resources and assisting with the application process. Another idea would be collaborating with the school system, specifically low-income based communities. After school program can be initiated to target parents that need assistance with extra resources and services. Lastly, innovating a classroom setting program for the duration of one-year, furthering educational and leadership ability for

In the United States, there is a continuing debate about how success should be measured. Many parameters can be used to evaluate program effectiveness. Since this program is based on how and if the youth applies the skills that were taught, if the youth enters post-secondary education and whether the youth is gainfully employed these parameters are very concrete. This will be measured by 90 day, 180 day and 365 day follow-up. Follow-up will consist of office visits, home visits, mailings and phone calls.

Lastly, the districts community outreach programs for the amount of ELs in the district is outstanding, with one-on-one meetings and communication, the families are constantly kept in the loop and current with their student’s learning. Along with that, the school also provides summer camp for ELs and additional supports. There are no improvements that I would suggest to this portion of the program at this time.

My work then, would be to add inputs to the already successful, established work at St Justin in leveraging collaborative ideas from the center and then collaborate to; first strengthen the network of improvement communities, and then awareness creation for the marginalized children. Langley et al.(2009), argue that improvement is not a matter of intellectual ability, but doing a practice of what we want to improve. It is an endeavor of making things work in an improved manner. Improvement is not always an easy task. However, adopting new ideas for making improvement important if the system experience shortfalls.

Leadership & Family Enrichment Programs (Programs designed to help strong youth with leadership programs, supporting families, and enriching marriages)

Generally, after school programs are ran by schools, faith-based, or community-based nonprofit organizations. Most programs are held directly after school, but can also be held on weekends, over breaks or vacations, or on evenings. It is important to define what the purpose of the program is going to be, whether it be academics, sports, special interests, or cultural activities. Some other key factors of an after school program are high levels of children involvement, a mix of academic and non academic skill building activities, and positive relationships between staff and children. Successful programs have dedicated staff and structured routines for the children. When after school programs are ran successfully, the children involved will receive positive benefits and skills they will be able to use to better their future.

The youth engagement program has a multitude of resources within their program including, events or support for participants, partnerships, and grants. The many events open to students within the program are, restorative practices, reading/writing/math support, SAT prep, writing workshops, campus engagement events, FAFSA workshops, college/career conversations, career connecting, and post-secondary application support. In regards to partnerships held by the program, their main partner comes from a subcontract with the NSO along with, individuals and organizations with expertise in different programming elements (social workers, counselors, mentors, and those in trauma care), and mutually beneficial partnerships such as university-community relationships. Lastly, the programs grants include; $10,000 from united way for restorative practice training and $10,000 from ford for reading and writing tutoring.