Ready News: September 17, 2021
September 17, 2021
The Forum for Youth Investment Welcomes Mishaela Durán as New President & CEO
Last week, the Forum was delighted to welcome Mishaela Durán as its new President & CEO. Durán, a recognized leader and champion in the youth development field, will continue to advance the mission of the Forum to change the odds that all young people are ready by 21 for college, work, and life.
A native of Apache County, Arizona, one of the poorest counties in the nation, Durán credits her background and experiences with intergenerational poverty and as a youth in foster care to fueling a lifelong passion to help young people of color find their way in the world.
“I am thrilled to join the Forum for Youth Investment as the President & CEO, building off of Karen Pittman’s incredible legacy and advancing a racial equity agenda to unleash the full potential of children and youth so they are ready for college, work, and life,” said Mishaela Durán. “As a Latina, with lived experience in the child welfare system and a leader in education and human services, I understand firsthand the importance of harnessing the power across sectors and systems to change the odds for children and youth. We have an unprecedented opportunity to reimagine youth-serving systems through a racial equity lens.”
Durán brings with her extensive experience in youth development and youth policy issues in government and private organizations to lead that broad work. She previously served as a senior executive on the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Administration for Children and Families’ leadership team, where she led initiatives on issues including preventing and ending youth and family homelessness and advancing economic recovery and mobility.
“We are at a critical time in our nation’s history where great challenges and opportunities to serve youth exist,” said Steve Fleischman, chairperson of the Forum’s Board of Directors. “I am so excited to welcome Mishaela and look forward to her working with our board to lead the Forum towards ever greater mission impact.”
Design Principles for Community-Based Settings: Putting the Science of Learning and Development Into Action
A new resource provides practical guidance to tap into the assets in community-based settings and ensure we put the science of learning and development into action in all learning settings. Design Principles for Community-Based Settings: Putting the Science of Learning and Development Into Action was created by the Forum, in partnership with Learning Policy Institute & Turnaround for Children and in association with the SoLD Alliance.
To learn more about why this playbook and its companion K-12 playbook were developed, what’s in the playbook, and its intended audience, read our latest blog post on the Changing the Odds Medium page from Priscilla Little, “Design Principles for Community-Based Settings: Bridging the Science Across the Learning and Development Ecosystem.”
Interactive Conversation: Launch of New Playbook Based on Out-of-School Time Research
Free Webinar Hosted by Learning Heroes
Tuesday, September 28, 2:00-3:00 PM ET
Learning Heroes is hosting a webinar on Tuesday, September 28 from 2-3pm ET/11am-12pm PT around the release of a new communications playbook based on recent national research, “Out-of-School Time Programs: Helping Children Find Passion, Purpose, and Voice.” The research was conducted to better understand how K-8 parents, K-8 teachers, and out-of-school time (OST) providers perceive the value of OST programs in developing children’s social, emotional, and academic skills. The forthcoming playbook aims to help educators, providers, and advocates effectively communicate the benefits of OST programs and inform the development of policies that make high-quality OST opportunities accessible to more students. Learning Heroes will send the playbook to all RSVPs in advance of the event.
Challenges and Opportunities: Student and Practitioner Experiences During COVID-19
A new report from City Year looks at student and practitioner experiences in the pandemic and elevates their voices to bring to life their extraordinary efforts to support student success. It draws insights from City Year’s work across the country and highlights how three City Year sites and Compass Academy3 (a charter public middle school in Denver) have adjusted their practices to respond to the unique challenges that students are facing in the wake of COVID-19 induced school closures.
During the past year, students’ learning trajectories have shifted, and many students have experienced numerous interruptions and losses in their lives due to COVID-19, even as they have also honed skills such as flexibility, resilience, and creativity. When schools began shifting to distance learning there was no playbook for how to best support students. Teachers, families, and others seeking to support student success have risen to the challenge, adjusting their approaches to meet students’ expanded needs during this time. City Year leaned into its evidence-based approach to adapt to this unprecedented moment in time. Though challenging, the past year has enabled creativity and shed light on important lessons as we think about how to reimagine schooling and advance equity moving forward.
2021 Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Exchange Virtual Summit, Beyond Talk: Building Tomorrow Together
Virtual Convening Presented by CASEL
October 14, 2021
This past year raised important questions. What does it mean to participate as engaged, responsible, and caring members of a community? What will it take to develop empathy, critical thinking, and problem solving so that we can live, work, and thrive together in a diverse community?
Young people are responding and stepping forward with insights and ideas to help shape a brighter, more just future. Join Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) at the 2021 SEL Exchange Virtual Summit to engage with youth, educators, researchers, and community partners. The event will leverage the power of SEL to move beyond talk and build tomorrow together.
NOTE: The Forum family mourns the loss of Roger Weissberg last week. Roger was the Chief Knowledge Officer and Board Vice Chair of CASEL. We celebrate his life and incredible contributions to the field. We encourage you to visit the memorial webpage to read more about Roger.