As part of the Collaborating States Initiative, Readiness Projects Partner Karen Pittman joined Nick Yoder and Aaliyah Samuel to discuss the ways in which children and youth serving programs and systems have had to rethink the ways in which they engage their young people and partners in recent months. From rethinking the physical spaces where classes and programs are offered to reengaging students and young people in a new way given the disruption of their lives, the discussion covers many topics on how schools and communities can rethink their support of families and youth.

The purpose and mission of the Collaborating States Initiative (CSI), launched in 2016, is to work with states and school districts to help ensure that preschool to high school students are fully prepared—academically, socially, and emotionally—to succeed in school, at work, and in life. Read more about the initiative here.

After the discussion, Karen drafted a blog about an icebreaker thought exercise used during this meeting (not featured in the video). Read her thoughts here.