Forum Trains National/Local Leaders in Iowa on Ready by 21

On October 30-31, Merita Irby and Senior Fellow Karen Finn led a Ready by 21 Training in Des Moines, Iowa. The training included a wide range of stakeholders and leaders trying to improve the odds for children and youth. Participants ranged from national organizations such as the Search Institute, America’s Promise Alliance and Child Trends to state and local level community leaders from across the country.

Merita and Karen facilitated a two day intensive session focused on expanding "big picture thinking" and emphasized how the Ready by 21 ideas and framework could help advance a shared youth agenda for communities. The training demonstrated the power of the Ready by 21 National Partnership by bringing together several key partners: it was sponsored by Iowa’s Promise, a state affiliate of the America’s Promise Alliance, and was held at the United Way of Central Iowa.