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Creating Pathways to Success: United Way’s Children and Youth Priority Impact Areas 2013 – 2016

NEEDS ASSESSMENT & ACT ION PLAN

October 16, 2012

Submitted by

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United Way of Allegheny County Needs Assessment and Action Plan

Development of this impact strategy for children and youth required the time and expertise of many individuals from our region’s businesses and agencies. We would like to acknowledge and thank the following individuals for providing their expertise in helping to ensure the needs identified accurately reflect those of our community and strategies defined can have the greatest impact.

Children and Youth Needs Assessment Advisory Committee

Co-Chairs:Brooks Broadhurst

Senior Vice President of Food & BeverageEat’n Park Hospitality Group

Martin FritzVice President of EQT

President of Midstream Operations

Acknowledgments

Nick BarcellonaChief Financial OfficerUPMC Mercy

Gregg BehrExecutive DirectorGrable Foundation

Esther BushPresident and CEOUrban League of Greater Pittsburgh

Nina Esposito-VisgitisPresidentPittsburgh Federation of Teachers

Michelle FiglarExecutive Director Pgh Association for the Education of Young Children

Linda Hippert, EdDExecutive DirectorAllegheny Intermediate Unit

Kevin JenkinsSenior Program OfficerThe Pittsburgh Foundation

David MassaroPresident of Real Estate Massaro Properties

Pete MendesAudit Partner KPMG LLP

Holly O’DonnellAfterschool ManagerPittsburgh Public Schools

Stefani Pashman Chief Executive OfficerThree Rivers Workforce Investment Board

Marge PetruskaSenior Program DirectorChildren, Youth and FamiliesThe Heinz Endowments

Fred RedmondInternational Vice PresidentUnited Steelworkers

Rig RigginsPresident and CEOYMCA of Greater Pittsburgh

Walter Smith, PhDAllegheny CountyDept. of Human Services

Frederick ThiemanPresidentThe Buhl Foundation

James Thompson Vice President / Credit Manager Corporate Banking PNC Bank

Honorable Dwayne WoodruffAllegheny County Court of Common Pleas

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Table of Contents

Executive Summary.................................................................................................................4

Purpose..................................................................................................................................5

Introduction...........................................................................................................................6

Assessing the Needs.................................................................................................................7

Predictors of School Success.......................................................................................9

Importance of Child Wellbeing................................................................................12

Community Narrative for Allegheny County’s Children and Youth......................................13

Strategies for Community Impact 2013 – 2016....................................................................14

Mobilize the Community.........................................................................................16

Improve Child Wellbeing.........................................................................................17

Build Foundations For Academic Success..................................................................18

Enhance Education and Career Readiness for Youth and Young Adults....................19

Stakeholder and Provider Feedback.......................................................................................20

Support for United Way’s Priority Impact Areas........................................................20

What Resonates With Donors...................................................................................22

Additional Feedback From Donors...........................................................................23

Summary and Final Recommendations.................................................................................24

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In the spring 2012, United Way of Allegheny County convened a Children and Youth Needs Assessment Advisory Committee, engaged the University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development as a consultant, and sought feedback from key stakeholders and provider partners to understand the needs facing Allegheny County’s children and youth and to prioritize United Way’s work in addressing these most critical needs. Some of the identified needs are great, such as extremely limited access to quality early childcare education programs and a persistent achievement gap in reading and math proficiency between schools serving many low-income children and the county as a whole, and recent cuts in the state budget result in fewer resources available to address those needs. United Way’s work with its partners is as critical as ever.

The recommended action plan for 2013-2016 is designed so that United Way will build on its relationships with leaders in the corporate world, human services, program services, and the community, and United Way—in following the action plan—will serve as a model to its partners in its collaborative approach and alignment with a wide variety of resources. United Way is well-positioned as a leader to mobilize the caring power of the greater community to achieve real community-wide impact for children and youth.

United Way’s vision is that all children are supported by their families and community to be healthy and safe, succeed academically, and transition into adulthood ready to work and contribute to society. Working under this vision, and in careful consideration of United Way’s strengths and the most critical needs facing children and youth in Allegheny County, the committee recommended and stakeholder feedback affirmed the following pathway to success for 2013-2016: United Way must mobilize the community around three priority impact areas: (1) child wellbeing (all ages), (2) foundations for academic success (preK-5th grade), and (3) education and career readiness for youth and young adults (grades 6-12, and beyond).

Executive Summary

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Executive Summary In the spring 2012, United Way of Allegheny County convened a Children and Youth Needs Assessment Advisory Committee, engaged the University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development as a consultant, and sought feedback from key stakeholders and provider partners to understand the needs facing Allegheny County’s children and youth and to prioritize United Way’s work in addressing these most critical needs. Some of the identified needs are great, such as extremely limited access to quality early childcare education programs and a persistent achievement gap in reading and math proficiency between schools serving many low-income children and the county as a whole, and recent cuts in the state budget result in fewer resources available to address those needs. United Way’s work with its partners is as critical as ever. The recommended action plan for 2013-2016 is designed so that United Way will build on its relationships with leaders in the corporate world, human services, program services, and the community, and United Way—in following the action plan—will serve as a model to its partners in its collaborative approach and alignment with a wide variety of resources. United Way is well-positioned as a leader to mobilize the caring power of the greater community to achieve real community-wide impact for children and youth. United Way’s vision is that all children are supported by their families and community to be healthy and safe, succeed academically, and transition into adulthood ready to work and contribute to society. Working under this vision, and in careful consideration of United Way’s strengths and the most critical needs facing children and youth in Allegheny County, the committee recommended and stakeholder feedback affirmed the following pathway to success for 2013-2016: United Way must mobilize the community around three priority impact areas: (1) child wellbeing (all ages), (2) foundations for academic success (preK-5th grade), and (3) education and career readiness for youth and young adults (grades 6-12, and beyond).

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United Way of Allegheny County (United Way) is moving to a new model to address needs at a community level. This shift reflects a national movement, focusing on collective, community impact. Whereas United Way used to direct its work toward funding providers to sustain quality community programs, it now works to address community needs through partnerships with business leaders, human service leaders, providers, and community members. Financial support is provided to partner agencies who work toward meeting the most critical needs and are the most likely to achieve community-level impact. United Way ensures that the dollars invested by donors and the time invested by volunteers are strategically apportioned to best serve children and youth in Allegheny County.

This updated needs assessment and action plan was conducted to purposefully prioritize United Way’s future work given critical community needs and its commitment to its stakeholders, donors, partners, providers, and creating meaningful impact. Some of the needs facing the county’s children and youth are great and recent cuts in the state budget result in fewer resources available to address those needs. United Way’s work with its partners is as critical as ever.

Purpose

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Over its long history, and increasingly in the last five years, United Way has demonstrated leadership and commitment to bettering the lives of children and youth. With increased clarity about its roles in the community, United Way has been able to address critical needs and move providers and volunteers toward bigger and longer-term impacts. These key roles, identified by The Hill Group in 2011 and expanded by the Office of Child Development in 2012, provide unique opportunities to galvanize a broad base on behalf of children and youth. United Way’s unique roles include:

• Identifying gaps in service/assistance infrastructure and defining the impact of social, economic and political changes on vulnerable populations (e.g. through community needs assessments);

• Illuminating current community needs and the vital nature of effective assistance programs (e.g. Southwestern Pennsylvania Food Collaborative, Allies for Children, etc.);

• Connecting individuals to assistance through innovative initiatives (e.g. 2-1-1; Be A 6th Grade Mentor; Be 1 In a Million, etc.);

• Demonstrating by investing resources in the most efficient and effective programs and services that might otherwise not be funded through other opportunities and represent best practices in responding to community needs (e.g. Impact Fund partner agencies); and

• Building champions in the business community that are demonstrating their increased investment and engagement by leading critical community projects (e.g. Peoples Natural Gas and Duquesne Light leading 2-1-1, EQT and Eat n’ Park leading the children and youth needs assessment, etc.).

In January 2012, United Way engaged in a nine month needs assessment and action planning process in order to review and refine its focus, hone in on the most effective goals and strategies, and articulate the steps to take over the next three years.

The process was designed to get well-informed input from a variety of sources. A committee of significant cross-sector leaders was convened (United Way Children and Youth Needs Assessment Advisory Committee) to create recommendations for an action plan for review and approval by the Impact Cabinet and United Way Board. Consultants were hired (University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development) to provide a needs assessment, which included reviewing data, identifying emerging needs and promising models, and

Introduction

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helping the committee and United Way staff to frame their findings and ideas. Finally, key leaders in the business, human service and provider communities were interviewed and their responses to the proposed plan were presented to the United Way Children and Youth Needs Assessment Advisory Committee to integrate into their final recommendations.

In the end, the planning process re-affirmed key points. First, United Way should use their new call to action Give, Advocate, Volunteer because it reflects their strengths, galvanizes the community, and goes well beyond only allocating funds. Second, the strength of United Way is in its volunteers, its business partners, and its provider agencies; and all partners should be actively engaged. Finally, children and youth need caring relationships, champions, and supports in order to succeed in school and beyond. In addition, the planning process helped to focus United Way to apply their work to targeted times in children’s and youth’s lives when they are more vulnerable and can most benefit from external supports, such as in early childhood, school age, and preparing for young adulthood after high school.

The recommended action plan for 2013-2016 is designed so that United Way will build on its relationships with leaders in the corporate world, human services, and the community. By following the action plan, United Way will model a unique collaborative approach and align the organization with a wide variety of resources. United Way is well-positioned as a leader to mobilize the caring power of the greater community to achieve real community-wide impact for children and youth.

In order to work towards demonstrable community impact, United Way has identified multiple pathways to pursue. United Way will focus on broad and collaborative goals and outcomes. Its work will be assessment-driven, and United Way will evaluate and apply impactful, replicable strategies to meet existing community needs. It will seek out and support significant contributions (time and other resources) by individual and corporate donors, exemplifying its call to action. These strategic pathways, under the leadership of United Way, will move the community towards system and policy changes, best supporting the county’s children and youth.

The work covered in this report presents an informed and well-supported action plan that builds on United Way’s core strengths and is likely to achieve significant community outcomes.

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The current work began by reviewing community data related to children and youth, collected since the previous United Way Needs Assessment completed in 2007. The goal of this process was to understand which issues facing children and youth are improving, which are staying the same or worsening, and which issues are emerging as new and critical needs. It is important to note that much of the data had to be analyzed in light of the current fiscal landscape with pending budget cuts to human services and education. Counties in other states that have similar demographics were used as comparisons as another way to identify where this county is strong or in need of increased interventions. In addition to articulating the needs, this process also involved reviewing local resources and supports that moderate needs. Key data points were pulled from the Census Bureau, 2011 PA Department of Welfare Office of Child Development and Early Learning Reach and Risk Assessment, Kids Count, PA Department of Health, Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Allegheny County Health Department, PA Department of Education, and Healthy People 2010 and 2020, among other resources. (See Appendix A for tables of key demographic findings.) Critical findings were plotted along a developmental timeline of key predictors of academic success for children.

Assessing the Needs

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Predictors of School Success

One stakeholder underscored the critical pathway to healthy development: Children need to be physically healthy, they need opportunities to develop school readiness skills so they are prepared to succeed in school, and youth need to have help along the way to ensure high school graduation, post-secondary opportunities, and career readiness skills.

The following graphic helped to guide the Committee’s consideration of key points where interventions and supports are crucial in the life of a young person. The data collected in the needs assessment review were matched to each key predictor of future success to determine potential United Way involvement.

The Committee laid out critical findings from the needs assessment under each major predictor of success, in order to understand where children and youth of Allegheny County are challenged during key time points in childhood.

Key Findings


High School Graduation

School Engagement During Middle School

Reading Proficiency in 3rd / 4th Grade

Kindergarten Attendance

School Readiness

Quality Early Childhood Education

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• Quality Early Childhood EducationQuality early childhood education can help build a strong foundation for all children, and especially low-income children. Over the past 10 years, the quality of early childhood education has improved statewide, and Allegheny County is keeping pace with the statewide rate of moving programs into Star 3 and 4 quality ratings. At the same time, only 4% of children in the county under the age of five are enrolled in a Star 3 or 4 early childhood educational program. Children do not have access to quality pre-Kindergarten learning experiences. In addition, cuts in state government funding are expected to decrease the number of available slots in local pre-Kindergarten programs.

• School ReadinessSchool readiness is both a solid outcome benchmark for early learning efforts and a good beginning marker for setting learning goals. Studies show that educational achievement gaps already exist at Kindergarten entry. Children from low-income families are more likely to start school with limited language skills, health problems and social and emotional issues that interfere with learning. The larger the gap at school entry, the harder it is to close. Additionally, there is no systematic collection and reporting of school readiness skills upon entering Kindergarten in our region or across the state. Top notch school readiness indicator systems at the state and local levels would ensure that students would be more prepared entering school and ensure early educational success.

• Kindergarten AttendanceRegular school attendance during Kindergarten (and throughout the early grades) is a key indicator of future academic success. Poor academic performance can be a result of being low-income and chronically absent. Research demonstrates that low-income children with chronic Kindergarten absenteeism exhibit academic deficiencies in later elementary school grades. This is a local problem: one elementary school in Pittsburgh identified 26% of their Kindergarten students already chronically absent, even before the end of the school year. On-time enrollment in Kindergarten is critical so that students are present on the first day of school and a culture of regular attendance can be cultivated. Expected cuts in state funding will likely eliminate many full day Kindergarten programs. While numerous challenges exist, improving attendance and reducing chronic absence takes commitment, collaboration and tailored approaches to address the unique strengths and challenges of each school community. Development of a central data collection and reporting system to track attendance would ensure early intervention and prevent children from becoming chronically absent and set youth on a positive path for scholastic

achievement.

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• Reading Proficiency in 3rd/4th Grades (link to 8th and 11th Grade Proficiency) and High School Graduation Rate

Strong evidence exists to show 3rd/4th grade reading is directly linked to on-time high school graduation. A significant achievement gap exists between low-income student performance and overall student performance in Allegheny County schools. For example, only 50% of children from Title I schools are meeting reading proficiency goals in the 4th grade, compared to about 75% of 4th graders county-wide. In 8th grade, the gap is a similar 20 percentage points, and in 11th grade, students from Title I schools are behind county-wide performance by 35%. The gap in math performance is similar.

• Middle School Attendance, School Performance, and Behavior

High school drop-out rates can be predicted as early as sixth grade. Markers such as low school attendance, poor school behavior, and failing math or English, and also grade retention in middle school, are all associated with leaving school before a high school diploma. Disengagement in school often begins around 6th grade. A 2006 RAND study revealed that low high school graduation rates at Pittsburgh Public Schools can be traced to problems arising during the critical middle school years, and sixth grade in particular.

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Importance of Child Wellbeing

One stakeholder praised the inclusion of child wellbeing on United Way’s agenda, including promoting healthy and safe homes and environments, reducing child abuse and neglect, supporting vaccines and developmental screenings, and addressing childhood obesity.

In addition to looking at key school-related predictors to academic success, the data also underscored how critical child wellbeing is to child development and learning. Improving children’s health, through proper nutrition, exercise and linking youth to preventive care and initiatives, enhances their overall wellbeing. Healthy children and youth are ready to perform at their maximum potential.

• Physical HealthChildren’s overall physical health affects their ability to thrive and learn. One growing childhood health challenge is obesity. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, more than 30 percent of school-children in Allegheny County are overweight or obese, making them vulnerable to diabetes, heart disease, and other serious obesity-related health conditions. Studies have linked heart health and fitness with better school performance. Highmark’s Healthy High Five initiative reports that the vast majority of children get less than the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Prevention is the most effective strategy to improving trends in childhood obesity.

• Emotional and Mental HealthChildren’s overall emotional and mental health directly affect their ability to thrive and learn. Positive relationships with caregivers and other adults have been shown to improve brain development and attitudes toward school. Afterschool and mentoring programs support children’s emotional and mental health and can improve attitudes toward school. Preventing child abuse and neglect and supporting parents and caregivers also positively impact children’s overall wellbeing.

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After reviewing the data findings, key predictors of success, and local resources, United Way’s Children and Youth Needs Assessment Committee engaged in an extensive vetting process to shape a “community narrative.” First, the committee identified eight vision statements that everyone agreed would make a stronger Allegheny County because it would meet the critical needs of all children. Second, a vision and mission for United Way was added to the narrative to help guide their particular use of this framework. Third, the committee stressed several considerations as United Way sought to prioritize their future work using the narrative:

1. United Way has maintained a clear vision throughout its recent work and should continue working in the majority of these areas.

2. United Way should expand its work to build upon one or two initiatives, while considering several guidelines:

a) Don’t be spread too thin;b) Think beyond allocation of funds;c) Use the new call to action: Give, Advocate, and Volunteer;d) Provide community leadership, and galvanize business leaders; and e) Work with schools, communities, and parents as partners.

Community Narrative for Allegheny County’s Children and Youth

United Way’s Vision for Children and Youth, 2013 – 2016

• Vision: It is United Way’s vision for children and youth that all children are supported by their families and our community to be healthy and safe, succeed academically, and transition into adulthood ready to work and contribute to society.

1) Every child is healthy.2) All children have access to quality early childcare and education programs.3) All children are protected, nurtured, and educated by their parents and caregivers.4) All children succeed in school.5) All children have caring adults guiding, encouraging, and mobilizing the community on

their behalf.6) All children are safe and involved in enrichment activities during out-of-school time.7) All children and families are safe from violence and homelessness.8) Every child’s wellbeing is improved through effective advocacy efforts.

• Mission: It is United Way’s mission regarding children and youth to create, connect, and/or facilitate opportunities to ensure access, high quality, and affordable resources for children and their families that contribute to their long-term success.

*The complete framework (Appendix B) includes current and emerging initiatives and ideas for United Way’s future work.

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The committee took the above framework, heeded its own considerations to United Way for targeting impact, and engaged in several critical and in-depth discussions around United Way’s strengths and where it is most likely to impact the lives of children and youth. In order to narrow its focus for the next three years, the committee looked at the framework and asked three questions:

1) Is there a critical need?2) What is the likelihood of success?3) Will this focus area resonate with donors?

The committee recognized that United Way is well-positioned to use its strengths to identify and engage partners, better align others’ work, help businesses look beyond donations to advocate and volunteer on behalf of children and youth, support providers in using data to understand and improve impact, measure impact at the community level, and communicate stories and impact to the greater community. The committee’s recommendations came together in an overarching strategy for United Way to use its leadership to work with business leaders, partners, and human services industries in order to mobilize the community.

In considering the most critical needs identified from county data and the framework for children and youth, the committee recommended that United Way mobilize the community around three priority areas: (1) child wellbeing (all ages), (2) foundations for academic success (preK-5th grade), and (3) education and career readiness for youth and young adults (grades 6-12, and beyond). The graphic on the next page expands on the overarching strategy and three priority areas. (Also, see Appendix C.)

Strategies for Community Impact 2013 – 2016

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The committee recognized that United Way is well-positioned to use its strengths to identify and engage partners, better align others’ work, help businesses look beyond donations to advocate and volunteer on behalf of children and youth, support providers in using data to understand and improve impact, measure impact at the community level, and communicate stories and impact to the greater community. The committee’s recommendations came together in an overarching strategy for United Way to use its leadership to work with business leaders, partners, and human services industries in order to mobilize the community. In considering the most critical needs identified from county data and the United Way framework for children and youth, the committee recommended United Way mobilize the community around three priority areas: (1) child wellbeing (all ages), (2) foundations for academic success (preK-5th grade), and (3) education and career readiness for youth and young adults (grades 6-12, and beyond). The graphics below expand on the overarching strategy and three priority areas. (Also, see Appendix C.)

Creating Pathways to Success

United Way’s Children and Youth Priority Impact Areas, 2013-2016

Creating Pathways to SuccessUnited Way’s Children and Youth Priority Impact Areas, 2013-2016

Strategies for Community Impact 2013 – 2016

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United Way will support its call to action —“Give, Advocate, Volunteer”— by mobilizing service leaders, business leaders, community leaders, and citizens to work united to improve the lives of children and youth. Increasingly, the United Way will involve the business community in their initiatives and outreach.

Key strategies to capitalize on the United Way’s strengths and make a difference in its three impact areas for children and youth include:

• Providing opportunities for and engaging businesses, community leaders, and employees

• Be 1 In a Million; Be A 6th Grade Mentor; advocacy through Allies for Children; etc.

• Encouraging and supporting collaboration across the service landscape• Implementing a request for proposal process and building upon

collaboration and working together to achieve collective impact

• Focusing on big, community level impacts

• Using measurable outcomes and data to motivate the community to action

• Serving as a convener • Bringing together corporate, community, governmental and industry

leaders to address issues• Strengthening the relationships between the community and schools

• Advocating for children and youth• Implementing Allies for Children and continued advocacy

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Mobilize the community Community

United Way will support its call to action —“Give, Advocate, Volunteer”— by mobilizing service leaders, business leaders, community leaders, and citizens to work united to improve the lives of children and youth. Increasingly, the United Way will involve the business community in their initiatives and outreach. Key strategies to capitalize on the United Way’s strengths and make a difference in its three impact areas for children and youth include:

Providing opportunities for and engaging businesses, community leaders, and employees

o Be 1 In a Million; Be A 6th Grade Mentor; advocacy through Allies for Children; etc.

Encouraging and supporting collaboration across the service landscape

o Implementing a request for proposal process and building upon collaboration and working together to achieve collective impact

Focusing on big, community level impacts Using measurable outcomes and data to motivate the

community to action Serving as a convener

o Bringing together corporate, community, governmental and industry leaders to address community issues

o Strengthening the relationships between the community and schools

Advocating for children and youth o Implementing Allies for Children and continued

advocacy

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United Way will work on a new focus area to ensure that all children grow up in safe, nurturing and healthy environments. Strategies this area might include but are not limited to: education regarding the prevalence of childhood obesity and its negative health and other consequences; linking children to critical preventive health services and care; etc. This focus area is a natural extension of United Way’s existing work to help children realize their greatest potential.

Criticality:

• 15% of children in Allegheny County are obese

• Recently 88,000 children across the state lost Medicaid coverage, and the proposed state budget reduces CHIP by $5 million

Potential Impact Methods:

• Illuminate community mobilization efforts around health and wellness that promote 1) empowering parents and caregivers, 2) providing healthy food in youth serving organizations, 3) improving access to healthy, affordable foods, and 4) increasing physical activity

• Illuminate community mobilization efforts and campaigns that promote the importance of a medical home and assist with 100% enrollment for children in health insurance programs

Likelihood of Success:

• Aligns with Healthy People 2020 mission and goals

• Corporate support and leadership to guide this project and engage unique constituencies

• The community wants to work on this issue, but with caution

Potential Impact Measures:

• Increase the number of organizations engaging in activities to promote child wellbeing/wellness

• Increase public awareness and will regarding the importance of combatting childhood obesity

• Increase the number of youth who engage in activities that promote physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing

• Increase the number of children who have a medical home

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Mobilize the community Improve child well being

United Way will embark on a new focus area to ensure that all children grow up in safe, nurturing and healthy environments. Strategies this area might include but are not limited to: education regarding the prevalence of childhood obesity and its negative health and other consequences; linking children to critical preventive health services and care; etc. Criticality:

15% of children in Allegheny County are obese Recently 88,000 children across the state lost Medicaid

coverage, and the proposed state budget reduces CHIP by $5 million


Illuminate community mobilization efforts around health and wellness that promote 1) empowering parents and caregivers, 2) providing healthy food in youth serving organizations, 3) improving access to healthy, affordable foods, and 4) increasing physical activity

Illuminate community mobilization efforts and campaigns that promote the importance of a medical home and assist with 100% enrollment for children in health insurance programs


Aligns with Healthy People 2020 mission and goals Corporate support and leadership to guide this project and

engage unique constituencies The community wants to work on this issue, but with

caution Potential Impact Measures:

Increase the number of organizations engaging in activities to promote child wellbeing/wellness

Increase public awareness and will regarding the importance of combatting childhood obesity

Increase the number of youth who engage in activities that promote physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing

Increase the number of children who have a medical home

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Build foundations for academic success (preK - 5th grade)

United Way’s work will continue to address critical issues that affect younger children, such as cuts to publicly funded preschools and pre-kindergarten programs, kindergarten attendance, and significant achievement gaps in reading and math proficiency. Criticality:

Major cuts to publicly funded preschools and school pre-kindergarten programs are anticipated

Huge gaps exist in 4th grade reading proficiency for schools with higher rates of poverty

3rd grade proficiency predicts the likelihood of on-time high school graduation


Connect young children and their families to programs and resources that prepare them to enter school on time and ready to learn

Increase access to high quality out-of-school time programs that work closely with schools and use curriculum so that children achieve improved academic outcomes

Implement best practices and models that reach scale, can be replicated and ensure that caring relationships between children and adults foster life success (e.g. mentoring, parent engagement, early literacy)

Support early literacy and family literacy efforts that foster grade level reading


United Way partner agencies are experienced in implementing strategies that build foundations for academic achievement and will continue to build upon these successes

Early interventions around academic success resonate with donors and would ensure adequate resources

Early interventions promote more positive long-term outcomes (e.g. reading proficiency by 3rd grade linked to high school graduation)


Increase number of children enter school ready to learn Increase number of children advance in grade level and are

proficient according to standardized tests Increase number of children gain skills that contribute to

their academic success

United Way’s work will continue to address critical issues that affect younger children, such as cuts to publicly funded preschools and pre-kindergarten programs, kindergarten attendance, and significant achievement gaps in reading and math proficiency.

Criticality:

• Major cuts to publicly funded preschools and school pre-kindergarten programs are anticipated

• Huge gaps exist in 4th grade reading proficiency for schools with higher rates of poverty

• 3rd grade proficiency predicts the likelihood of on-time high school graduation


• Connect young children and their families to programs and resources that prepare them to enter school on time and ready to learn

• Increase access to high quality out-of-school time programs that work closely with schools and use curriculum so that children achieve improved academic outcomes

• Implement best practices and models that reach scale, can be replicated and ensure that caring relationships between children and adults foster life success (e.g. mentoring, parent engagement, early literacy)

• Support early literacy and family literacy efforts that foster grade level reading


• United Way partner agencies are experienced in implementing strategies that build foundations for academic achievement and will continue to build upon these successes

• Early interventions around academic success resonate with donors and would ensure adequate resources

• Early interventions promote more positive long-term outcomes (e.g. reading proficiency by 3rd grade linked to high school graduation)

Potential Impact Measures:• Increase the number of children who enter school ready to learn• Increase the number of children who advance in grade level and are proficient according to

standardized tests• Increase the number of children who gain skills that contribute to their academic success

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United Way has been a leader in helping teens and young adults succeed academically and in preparation for careers. They will continue to support out-of-school time efforts, mentoring, and public-private partnerships to close the achievement gap and support youth as they transition to young adulthood.

Criticality:

• Large gaps exist in proficiency scores and graduation rates for schools with higher rates of poverty

• Youth do not possess the skills needed to excel in the 21st century workforce


• Support and illuminate effective efforts to increase school attendance and employment retention for youth throughout Allegheny County

• Increase access to high quality out-of-school time programs that work closely with schools and use curriculum so that youth achieve improved academic outcomes

• Implement best practices and models that reach scale, can be replicated, and ensure that caring relationships between youth and adults foster life success (e.g. mentoring)

• Training and mentoring programs that collaborate, teach, and reinforce workforce readiness, leadership and development of soft skills


• United Way partner agencies are experienced in implementing strategies that enhance education and career readiness for youth and young adults and will continue to build upon these successes

• Community desire exists to engage in activities that support this population (e.g. Be A 6th Grade Mentor; Graduation Champions; etc.)

• Preliminary evaluation of Be A 6th Grade Mentor demonstrates student gains in attitude towards school


• Increase number of youth who graduate from high school on time

• Increase number of youth who engage in post-secondary training and/or secure employment that provides livable wages and leads to careers

• Increase number of youth demonstrating increased commitment to and engagement in school (e.g. attendance, attitude, behavior) as reported using a standardized instrument

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Enhance education and career readiness for youth and young adults (grades 6-12 and beyond)

United Way has been a leader in helping teens and young adults succeed academically and in preparation for careers. They will continue to support out-of-school time efforts, mentoring, and public-private partnerships to close the achievement gap and support youth as they transition to young adulthood. Criticality:

Large gaps exist in proficiency scores and graduation rates for schools with higher rates of poverty

Youth do not possess the skills needed to excel in the 21st century workforce


Support and illuminate effective efforts to increase school attendance and employment retention for youth throughout Allegheny County

Increase access to high quality out-of-school time programs that work closely with schools and use curriculum so that youth achieve improved academic outcomes

Implement best practices and models that reach scale, can be replicated, and ensure that caring relationships between youth and adults foster life success (e.g. mentoring)

Training and mentoring programs that collaborate, teach, and reinforce workforce readiness, leadership and development of soft skills


United Way partner agencies are experienced in implementing strategies that enhance education and career readiness for youth and young adults and will continue to build upon these successes

Community desire exists to engage in activities that support this population (e.g. Be A 6th Grade Mentor; Graduation Champions; etc.)

Preliminary evaluation of Be A 6th Grade Mentor demonstrates student gains in attitude towards school


Increase number of youth who graduate high school on time Increase number of youth who engage in post-secondary

training and/or secure employment that provides livable wages and leads to careers

Increase number of youth demonstrating increased commitment to and engagement in school (e.g. attendance, attitude, behavior) as reported using a standardized instrument

20


In order to understand how a broader stakeholder group might receive the United Way’s community impact action plan, the consultants conducted nine interviews with leaders in business, education (including local universities), human services, and the religious community. The consultants also held a provider feedback meeting with 11 local providers serving children and the community in mental health services, after school programing, family services, and human services. All interviewees and providers are current partners with United Way in some capacity, through: serving on United Way committees or the board; being a key point person in their organizations to coordinate campaigns and volunteerism with United Way; being involved in direct programming supported by or in partnership with United Way; or are public sector leaders that work collaboratively with United Way. Stakeholders were asked what they thought of the 2013-2016 priority impact areas and overarching strategy; where they might have concerns or cautions for United Way; what opportunities they saw for collaborating with United Way on these priority impact areas; and finally, how these priority impact areas and strategies might resonate with their colleagues and donors in general.

Support for United Way’s Priority Impact Areas

Stakeholders displayed great support, interest in, and agreement with the three broad priority impact areas and with United Way playing a vital role in mobilizing the community around these areas. They spoke to the critical importance of United Way’s advocacy work and ability to convene diverse members in their multifaceted efforts to support children and youth. United Way of Allegheny County was described as a national leader in its system-building efforts in the out-of-school-time community and conceiving and implementing innovative projects that engage corporate leaders and employees in meaningful volunteer experiences (e.g. Be A 6th Grade Mentor, Be 1 In a Million, etc.). United Way’s work and support of older school-age children, youth, and young adults was apparent to these stakeholders and they expressed support of United Way’s commitment to continuing with their efforts in this important area. Finally, stakeholders articulated United Way’s shift towards community level outcomes and their growing support of and use of volunteers as excellent strategies to maximize limited financial resources and achieve greater impact.

One business leader observed that young professionals can make a real impact through volunteering, even when they may not yet be in a position to give financially.

Stakeholder and Provider Feedback

21


Support for United Way’s Priority Impact Areas (cont.)

In particular, the majority of the interviewees expressed strong interest in building foundations for academic success in young children (pre-K through 5th grade). Our interviewees (business leaders, a high ranking public sector official, a public health expert, higher education administrators, and an educational leader) spoke to the importance of laying a foundation for academic and life success at an early age, where impact is most likely to occur and where efforts will facilitate later learning and success. Children need to be prepared for school, and by prioritizing early childhood in its planning, United Way would be making a wise investment for the community that, when tested through our interviews, resonated with businesses and human service providers alike.

One business leader said that they like that United Way supports the pipeline from early childhood through school supports to career development.

Another theme that emerged in the interviews was how important Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education is for the strength of local businesses. Businesses need a diverse, educated, and local workforce. Pittsburgh currently has a dearth of well-prepared STEM job candidates from ethnic minorities and low-income neighborhoods. Stakeholders underscored how critical United Way’s commitment to education supports (both in early years and also for older children and youth) are in strengthening the pipeline of a qualified workforce. United Way’s position as a leader in the community and convener of stakeholders is also critical; United Way’s involvement in emerging and growing initiatives, such as Pittsburgh Technology Council roundtables or the Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s program to connect businesses with student interns, would provide unique connections. Interviewees appreciated the relevance of STEM education supports to United Way’s current work with school-age children and youth (after school system-building, mentoring, career preparedness), and the relevance to two of the 2013-2016 priority areas: building foundations for academic success in young children, and enhancing education and career readiness for youth and young adults.

Key stakeholders see that United Way’s key role of connecting has been effective and is needed in our community.

22


Support for United Way’s Priority Impact Areas (cont.)

Through an agency focus group, youth-serving human service providers emphasized United Way’s role as a convener in paving the way for their work to support academic success through out-of-school time programs. United Way’s unique position in the community and ability to convene these constituencies (e.g. school districts, government agencies, non-profit community agencies, and businesses) promotes community-level collaboration and collective impact. When programs have the endorsement of the United Way, larger institutions (like school districts) are more interested in partnership.

Finally, stakeholders supported the inclusion of the priority impact area, improve child wellbeing. Childhood obesity stood out as a clear risk factor in the local community (as well as nationally), with one provider even stating that childhood obesity is the single biggest risk factor facing local youth. United Way is seen as an entity who can bring the hospitals and insurance companies together with other businesses, providers and schools to address childhood obesity, although many interviewees expressed caution to United Way that others in the community (for example, the hospitals and insurance companies) should take on the largest burden when confronting this challenging issue. Child wellbeing can also include preventing abuse and neglect, supporting healthy environments for children, engaging parents, building caring relationships, and more, and stakeholders felt this priority impact area allowed United Way to round out its focus for the next three years with some flexibility to work in a multitude of relevant and needed prevention areas.

What Resonates with Donors

In general, stakeholders agreed that United Way’s children and youth priority impact areas and strategy to mobilize the community will resonate with donors. Where United Way could strengthen its communication with and appeal to donors is in:

1) Telling donors that this action plan and these priority impact areas are based on local data, local needs, and local resources

2) Communicating the importance of child wellbeing and early childhood intervention

3) Sharing data and stories to capture and advertise the impact of United Way’s work

4) Translating community need to a business imperative5) Continuing community-wide public awareness campaigns like Hi5!

Kindergarten, Here I Come

23


Additional Feedback from Donors

Key stakeholders and United Way partners saw multiple ways that United Way can have community-wide impact through its strategy to mobilize and working within its three priority impact areas.

1) Connect young professionals with United Way. Many interviewees spoke of their younger executives, faculty, and staff who already serve on internal committees addressing issues related to children and youth as a ready-to-be tapped resource for United Way. United Way should engage these up-and-coming leaders in United Way committee work, and prepare them for a long-term partnership with and service to United Way; many of these young leaders today may be board members tomorrow.

2) Incorporate business identities to United Way’s Day of Caring. Stakeholders want a way to brand their company’s involvement in volunteer work with United Way.

3) Prepare community volunteers through advocacy and volunteer training so they can volunteer within their own community and advocate for the needs of their community.

4) Join higher education students in the health and education fields with organizations serving children and youth to meet the priority needs. There is a pool of trained workers who need professional experience while serving community needs.

5) Lead the way for community agencies to be better aligned for community impact and articulate what good collaboration looks like for community agencies. Providers are seeking guidance as to how best meet United Way’s expectations around agency collaboration and how best to support their community through collaboration.

6) Support greater connections between businesses and student interns. United Way can rally stakeholders and institutions around opportunities to connect youth with job internships and career training and promote a stronger future workforce.

7) Continue and possibly increase public awareness campaigns. United Way can have a strong influence on what issues the community engages in through use of its effective public awareness campaigns.

24


Transformative changes are needed to achieve the overall vision that all children are supported by their families and our community to be healthy and safe, succeed academically, and transition into adulthood ready to work and contribute to society. United Way, working with its partners, can use its strong relationships, leadership skills, and resources to mobilize the community as an overarching strategy to achieve these changes. Based on committee and stakeholder input, it is clear that there is a great deal that needs to happen over the next three years, and there is a shared confidence that United Way is poised to direct meaningful change. By focusing on their unique roles, United Way can lead, demonstrate and measure successful pathways for all our children. Specific examples for United Way identified through this needs assessment process include:

• Identifying gaps and issues: Unite the community toward measurable goals; support uniform data collection and community benchmarks

• Illuminating needs and successes: Report to the community both the urgency and the successes, communicate local data to inform the community; inspire philanthropy through successes and key stories

• Connecting: Partner with business and labor leaders as sponsors of initiatives; ignite volunteerism by building on the success of one on one relationships such as Be a 6th Grade Mentor; facilitate lasting partnerships among community, providers and schools

• Demonstrating: Build on the successes of its partner agencies and demonstrate successful agency collaborations

• Building champions: Galvanize advocates in neighborhoods and businesses to address shrinking resources; connect local and state advocacy efforts through the collaboratively initiated and funded Allies for Children

United Way’s key roles and vetted action plan implemented by competent staff, quality providers, committed business leaders and volunteers, has the confidence of its stakeholders that United Way will make consequential changes for children and youth in Allegheny County.

Summary and Final Recommendations

25


Appendix A

26


1

Pres

choo

l (ag

es 0

– 5

)

Cond

ition

Impr

ovin

g

Cond

ition

Sta

ble

Pr

oble

m A

rea

Key

Dem

ogra

phic

Fin

ding

Co

mpa

rabl

e Da

ta

Curr

ent U

WAC

Con

trib

utio

n to

Thi

s Pop

ulat

ion

Oth

er A

C M

ajor

Initi

ativ

es

for T

his P

opul

atio

n Po

pula

tion:

63,

640(

ages

0-4

) Po

pula

tion:

25,

304

(age

s 3-4

)

Ages

0-4

: 74,7

93 C

uyah

oga

Coun

ty, O

H 76

,236

Hen

nepi

n, M

N 80

,459

Hill

sbor

ough

, FL

Ages

3-4

: 30,4

32 C

uyah

oga

Coun

ty, O

H 30

,130

Hen

nepi

n, M

N 32

,293

Hill

sbor

ough

, FL

Kind

erga

rten

tran

sitio

n pr

ogra

ms;

Ki

nder

gart

en e

nrol

lmen

t pub

lic

awar

enes

s cam

paig

n; Im

prov

ing

acad

emic

succ

ess f

or y

oung

chi

ldre

n th

roug

h ou

t-of-s

choo

l tim

e,

men

torin

g, k

ey tr

ansit

ions

, and

ad

voca

cy st

rate

gies

Head

Sta

rt; E

arly

Hea

d St

art;

hom

e vi

sitin

g pr

ogra

ms,

fam

ily

supp

ort c

ente

rs, h

omel

ess

initi

ativ

es; P

A Pr

e-K

Coun

ts1 ;

Acco

unta

bilit

y Bl

ock

Gran

t; Ke

ysto

ne S

TARS

Qua

lity

syst

em;

Safe

Sta

rt

16.6

% o

f 0-5

yea

r old

s are

livi

ng

unde

r 100

% o

f the

pov

erty

leve

l (s

tabl

e ov

er la

st 5

yea

rs)2

33.2

% C

uyah

oga

Coun

ty, O

H 19

.3%

Hen

nepi

n, M

N

27.6

% H

illsb

orou

gh, F

L 97

.9%

of c

hild

ren

unde

r 18

have

he

alth

insu

ranc

e (b

ut w

ith m

assiv

e cu

ts to

Med

icai

d an

d ex

pect

ed c

uts

to C

HIP,

man

y ch

ildre

n w

ill so

on b

e w

ithou

t cov

erag

e)

20.7

% in

201

0-20

11 a

tten

d pu

blic

ly

fund

ed p

resc

hool

(sta

ble

over

last

5

year

; ant

icip

ate

few

er c

hild

ren

will

be

fund

ed in

the

next

few

yea

rs)

19.3

% 2

006-

2007

Alle

ghen

y Co

unty

, PA

15,1

01 c

hild

ren

wer

e en

rolle

d in

any

ST

ARS

prog

ram

in A

llegh

eny

Coun

ty

(Nov

.201

1) in

clud

ing

Star

t with

ST

ARS –

STAR

4.

Of t

hose

, 411

7 (2

7.3%

) wer

e in

STA

R 3

or S

TAR

4 qu

ality

pro

gram

s.

1 PA

Pre-

K Co

unts

has

a $

4 m

illio

n re

duct

ion

in th

e 12

-13

budg

et a

nd e

stim

ates

120

few

er st

uden

ts w

ill b

e se

rved

stat

ewid

e.

2 Cen

sus B

urea

u (2

010)

.

27


2

Pres

choo

l (ag

es 0

– 5

)

Cond

ition

Impr

ovin

g

Cond

ition

Sta

ble

Pr

oble

m A

rea

Key

Dem

ogra

phic

Fin

ding

Co

mpa

rabl

e Da

ta

Curr

ent U

WAC

Con

trib

utio

n to

Thi

s Pop

ulat

ion

Oth

er A

C M

ajor

Initi

ativ

es

for T

his P

opul

atio

n 58

0 (a

ges 2

-5) i

n ou

t of h

ome

plac

emen

t (i.e

. fos

ter c

are)

64

6 Al

legh

eny

Coun

ty, P

A 4

/08-

3/09

To

tal c

hild

ren

0-18

in o

ut-o

f-hom

e pl

acem

ent i

n Al

legh

eny

Coun

ty, P

A:

2,76

1 20

01

2,73

1 20

05

2,97

1 20

11

888

child

ren

wer

e in

shel

tere

d in

ho

mel

ess s

yste

m in

09-

10 (4

88 a

ges

0-2;

400

age

s 3-5

)

23.2

chi

ld d

eath

s per

100

,000

ch

ildre

n ag

es 1

-4 p

er y

ear f

rom

20

05-2

009

26.7

ave

rage

for a

ll PA

cou

ntie

s 200

5-20

09

28


3

Com

men

ts/f

indi

ngs/

issu

es:

M

ajor

cut

s to

publ

icly

fund

ed p

resc

hool

s are

ant

icip

ated

in th

e 12

-13

budg

et

By a

ge 4

, low

-inco

me

child

ren

have

hea

rd a

n av

erag

e of

32

mill

ion

few

er w

ords

than

chi

ldre

n fr

om m

iddl

e in

com

e fa

mili

es

Sc

hool

read

ines

s ind

icat

ors,

such

as p

re-li

tera

cy a

nd c

ogni

tive

skill

s, ar

e no

t sys

tem

atic

ally

col

lect

ed a

nd a

naly

zed

in th

e co

unty

PA

’s p

ropo

sed

educ

atio

n bu

dget

indi

cate

s tha

t 2,9

00 fe

wer

stud

ents

will

be

serv

ed st

atew

ide

by sc

hool

pre

-kin

derg

arte

n pr

ogra

ms i

f the

bud

get

prop

osal

is a

dopt

ed

Last

yea

r, 97

.3%

of c

hild

ren

in th

e co

unty

had

hea

lth in

sura

nce;

rece

ntly

, 88,

000

child

ren

acro

ss th

e st

ate

lost

Med

icai

d co

vera

ge, a

nd th

e pr

opos

ed

12-1

3 bu

dget

is re

duci

ng fu

nds f

or C

HIP

by $

5 m

illio

n

N

atio

nally

, 49%

of A

LL c

hild

ren

shel

tere

d by

the

hom

eles

s sys

tem

wer

e be

twee

n th

e ag

es o

f 0 a

nd 5

, and

alth

ough

the

data

base

s ar

e w

eak,

we

expe

ct th

e sa

me

pict

ure

in A

llegh

eny

Coun

ty; t

he g

ener

al tr

end

natio

nally

, in

PA, a

nd in

the

coun

ty is

that

the

num

ber o

f fam

ilies

bei

ng se

rved

by

hom

eles

s she

lters

is ri

sing

29


4

Grad

es K

– 5

(age

s 5-1

1)

Co

nditi

on Im

prov

ing

Co

nditi

on S

tabl

e

Prob

lem

Are

a

Key

Dem

ogra

phic

Fin

ding

Co

mpa

rabl

e Da

ta

Curr

ent U

WAC

Con

trib

utio

n to

Th

is P

opul

atio

n O

ther

AC

Maj

or In

itiat

ives

for

This

Pop

ulat

ion

Popu

latio

n: 9

1,36

2 (a

ges 5

–11)

10

9,38

5 Cu

yaho

ga C

ount

y, O

H 10

0,41

2 He

nnep

in, M

N

113,

123

Hills

boro

ugh,

FL

Afte

rsch

ool p

rogr

ams a

nd

afte

rsch

ool s

yste

m d

evel

opm

ent;

Impr

ovin

g ac

adem

ic su

cces

s for

yo

ung

child

ren

thro

ugh

out-o

f-sc

hool

tim

e, m

ento

ring,

key

tr

ansit

ions

, and

adv

ocac

y st

rate

gies

Hom

ewoo

d Ch

ildre

n’s V

illag

e;

SW P

A M

ento

ring

Part

ners

hip;

Le

t’s M

ove

Pitt

sbur

gh;

Nei

ghbo

rhoo

d Le

arni

ng

Allia

nce,

Gre

ater

Pitt

sbur

gh

Afte

rsch

ool P

eer N

etw

ork,

SA

C ST

ARS

TA, 2

1st C

entu

ry

Lear

ning

; SN

AP; n

eigh

borh

ood

revi

ew te

ams

15.2

% c

hild

ren

ages

6-1

1 liv

e un

der 1

00%

of

the

pove

rty

leve

l (sli

ght i

ncre

ase

over

5 y

ears

)3 27

.9%

Cuy

ahog

a Co

unty

, OH

14.6

% H

enne

pin,

MN

23.1

% H

illsb

orou

gh, F

L 97

.9%

of c

hild

ren

unde

r 18

have

hea

lth

insu

ranc

e (b

ut w

ith m

assiv

e cu

ts to

Med

icai

d an

d ex

pect

ed c

uts t

o CH

IP, m

any

child

ren

will

so

on b

e w

ithou

t cov

erag

e)

36.9

% o

f stu

dent

s (al

l gra

des)

qua

lify

for a

free

or

redu

ced

pric

e lu

nch

(slig

ht in

crea

se o

ver 5

ye

ars)

32%

Cuy

ahog

a, O

H (s

light

de

crea

se)4

41.2

% H

enne

pin,

MN

(slig

ht

incr

ease

)5 54

.0%

Hill

sbor

ough

, FL

(slig

ht

incr

ease

)6 At

or A

bove

Pr

ofic

ienc

y To

tal

75%

re

duce

d/fr

ee

4th G

rade

Rea

ding

73

.8%

49.4

%

Tota

l 72%

Hen

nepi

n, M

N 77

.3%

Cuy

ahog

a, O

H 70

% H

illsb

orou

gh, F

L (5

9%

redu

ced/

free

) 4th

Gra

de M

ath

87.1

%

70.5

%

70.6

% C

uyah

oga,

OH

71%

Hill

sbor

ough

, FL

(61%

re

duce

d/fr

ee)

638

(age

s 6-1

2) in

out

of h

ome

plac

emen

t (i.e

. fo

ster

car

e) (n

ote:

nee

d to

revi

ew th

is #)

81

9 Al

legh

eny

Coun

ty, P

A 4/

08-3

/09

3 Cen

sus B

urea

u (2

010)

4 K

ids C

ount

(200

9)

5 Kid

s Cou

nt (2

010)

. 6 K

ids C

ount

(200

9)

30


5

Grad

es K

– 5

(age

s 5-1

1)

Co

nditi

on Im

prov

ing

Co

nditi

on S

tabl

e

Prob

lem

Are

a

Key

Dem

ogra

phic

Fin

ding

Co

mpa

rabl

e Da

ta

Curr

ent U

WAC

Con

trib

utio

n to

Th

is P

opul

atio

n O

ther

AC

Maj

or In

itiat

ives

for

This

Pop

ulat

ion

15%

of c

hild

ren

ages

6-1

7 in

AC

are

obes

e7 ; 16

.4%

chi

ldre

n gr

ades

K-6

in P

A ar

e ob

ese

17.4

% U

SA

12.8

chi

ld d

eath

s per

100

,000

chi

ldre

n ag

es 5

-9

per y

ear f

rom

200

5-20

09

11.4

Alle

ghen

y Co

unty

, PA

2001

-20

05

12.0

ave

rage

for a

ll PA

cou

ntie

s 20

05-2

009

628

child

ren

wer

e sh

elte

red

by th

e ho

mel

ess

syst

em in

09-

10 (4

12 a

ges 6

-9; 2

16 a

ges 6

-12)

O

vera

ll, th

e co

unty

repo

rted

155

0 ho

mel

ess

scho

ol-a

ged

(K-g

rade

12)

child

ren

in 1

0-11

21,3

42 +

bet

wee

n 1,

000

and

5,00

0 ad

ditio

nal

child

ren

atte

nd a

fters

choo

l pro

gram

s, g

rade

s K-

128 ;

3,64

1 PP

S st

uden

ts P

reK-

grad

e 5

atte

nded

af

ters

choo

l pro

gram

s (25

.2%

of c

hild

ren

enro

lled

in P

PS);

8,29

9 PP

S st

uden

ts P

reK-

grad

e 12

att

ende

d af

ters

choo

l pro

gram

s (32

.7%

of D

istric

t st

uden

ts)9

7 CM

U S

tude

nt P

roje

ct (2

005)

; CDC

Beh

avio

ral R

isk F

acto

r Sur

veill

ance

Sys

tem

Sur

vey

Data

8 V

ery

roug

h es

timat

e ba

sed

on th

e m

ost r

ecen

t pro

gram

dat

a av

aila

ble

and

repr

esen

ted

in th

e 20

10 U

nite

d W

ay A

fter

scho

ol F

undi

ng M

ap re

port

9 P

ittsb

urgh

Pub

lic S

choo

ls (2

010-

2011

), en

rollm

ent t

hrou

gh Ja

n. 3

1, 2

011

31


6

Commen

ts/finding

s/issues:

La

st y

ear,

97.3

% o

f chi

ldre

n in

the

coun

ty h

ad h

ealth

insu

ranc

e; re

cent

ly, 8

8,00

0 ch

ildre

n ac

ross

the

stat

e lo

st M

edic

aid

cove

rage

, and

the

prop

osed

12-

13 b

udge

t is r

educ

ing

fund

s for

CHI

P by

$5

mill

ion

Ther

e is

a hu

ge g

ap in

4th

gra

de re

adin

g pr

ofic

ienc

y be

twee

n sc

hool

s with

ove

r 75%

of s

tude

nts e

ligib

le fo

r fre

e an

d re

duce

d lu

nch

and

scho

ols

whe

re fa

r few

er st

uden

ts a

re e

ligib

le; a

201

1 re

port

by

the

Anni

e E.

Cas

ey F

ound

atio

n (D

oubl

e Je

opar

dy) d

emon

stra

tes a

stro

ng c

orre

latio

n be

twee

n sc

orin

g be

low

pro

ficie

ncy

in e

arly

read

ing

test

s (3rd

gra

de) &

livi

ng in

pov

erty

and

low

er h

igh

scho

ol g

radu

atio

n ra

tes

Ther

e is

a gr

owin

g re

sear

ch b

ase

to su

ppor

t the

impo

rtan

ce o

f reg

ular

kin

derg

arte

n at

tend

ance

, alth

ough

ther

e is

curr

ently

litt

le lo

cal d

ata

to

anal

yze

this

indi

cato

r for

scho

ol su

cces

s in

Alle

ghen

y Co

unty

M

any

child

ren

in th

e fo

ster

car

e sy

stem

hav

e 3

or m

ore

plac

emen

ts

Nat

iona

lly, 3

5% o

f ALL

chi

ldre

n sh

elte

red

by th

e ho

mel

ess s

yste

m w

ere

betw

een

the

ages

of 6

and

12,

and

alth

ough

the

data

base

s are

wea

k, w

e ex

pect

the

sam

e pi

ctur

e in

Alle

ghen

y Co

unty

; the

gen

eral

tren

d na

tiona

lly, i

n PA

, and

in th

e co

unty

is th

at th

e nu

mbe

r of f

amili

es b

eing

serv

ed

by h

omel

ess s

helte

rs is

risin

g

O

nly

9% o

f chi

ldre

n ac

ross

PA

part

icip

ate

in a

fters

choo

l; th

e pa

rent

inte

rest

to h

ave

thei

r chi

ldre

n pa

rtic

ipat

e in

affo

rdab

le a

nd h

igh

qual

ity

afte

rsch

ool c

are

far e

xcee

ds th

e nu

mbe

r of c

hild

ren

who

act

ually

do

part

icip

ate

32


7

Grad

es 6

– 1

2 (a

ges 1

2-17

)

Cond

ition

Impr

ovin

g

Cond

ition

Sta

ble

Pr

oble

m A

rea

Key

Dem

ogra

phic

Fin

ding

Co

mpa

rabl

e Da

ta

Curr

ent U

WAC

Con

trib

utio

n to

Thi

s Pop

ulat

ion

Oth

er A

C M

ajor

Initi

ativ

es

for T

his P

opul

atio

n Po

pula

tion:

96,

661

(age

s 12-

17)

106,

084

Cuya

hoga

Cou

nty,

OH

84,6

97 H

enne

pin,

MN

100,

626

Hills

boro

ugh,

FL

Men

torin

g st

rate

gies

; afte

rsch

ool

prog

ram

s and

afte

rsch

ool s

yste

m

deve

lopm

ent;

lead

ersh

ip

deve

lopm

ent;

care

er d

evel

opm

ent;

Im

prov

ing

acad

emic

succ

ess f

or

yout

h th

roug

h ou

t-of

-sch

ool t

ime,

m

ento

ring,

key

tran

sitio

ns, a

nd

advo

cacy

stra

tegi

es

Hom

ewoo

d Ch

ildre

n’s V

illag

e;

Scho

ol-to

-car

eer p

rogr

ams;

Pi

ttsb

urgh

Pro

mise

; SW

PA

Men

torin

g Pa

rtne

rshi

p;

Nei

ghbo

rhoo

d Le

arni

ng A

llian

ce;

Grea

ter P

ittsb

urgh

Aft

ersc

hool

Pe

er N

etw

ork;

21st

Cen

tury

Le

arni

ng; L

et’s

Mov

e Pi

ttsb

urgh

; Yo

uth

Wor

kfor

ce In

vest

men

t; Tr

ansit

ion-

age

yout

h se

rvic

es

13.8

% li

ve u

nder

100

% o

f the

pov

erty

le

vel10

(inc

reas

ed o

ver 5

yea

rs)

24.8

% C

uyah

oga

Coun

ty, O

H 18

.3%

Hen

nepi

n, M

N 18

.7%

Hill

sbor

ough

, FL

97.9

% o

f chi

ldre

n un

der 1

8 ha

ve h

ealth

in

sura

nce

(but

with

mas

sive

cuts

to

Med

icai

d an

d ex

pect

ed c

uts t

o CH

IP, m

any

child

ren

will

soon

be

with

out c

over

age)

At o

r Ab

ove

Prof

icie

ncy

Tota

l 75

%

redu

ced/

free

8th G

rade

Re

adin

g 82

.4%

59

.3%

74%

200

6 Al

legh

eny

Coun

ty

(impr

ovin

g)

82%

Cuy

ahog

a, O

H 68

% H

enne

pin,

MN

52%

Hill

sbor

ough

, FL

(37%

re

duce

d/fr

ee)

8th G

rade

M

ath

75.4

%

51.3

%

64%

200

6 Al

legh

eny

Coun

ty

(impr

ovin

g)

67%

Cuy

ahog

a, O

H 65

% H

illsb

orou

gh, F

L (5

3%

redu

ced/

free

) 11

th G

rade

Re

adin

g 71

.1%

35

.9%

67

% 2

006

Alle

ghen

y Co

unty

(im

prov

ing)

92

% C

uyah

oga,

OH

11th

Gra

de

Mat

h 60

.4%

22

.8%

57%

200

6 Al

legh

eny

Coun

ty

(impr

ovin

g)

87%

Cuy

ahog

a, O

H 49

% H

enne

pin,

MN

10 C

ensu

s Bur

eau

(201

0)

33


8

Grad

es 6

– 1

2 (a

ges 1

2-17

)

Cond

ition

Impr

ovin

g

Cond

ition

Sta

ble

Pr

oble

m A

rea

Key

Dem

ogra

phic

Fin

ding

Co

mpa

rabl

e Da

ta

Curr

ent U

WAC

Con

trib

utio

n to

Thi

s Pop

ulat

ion

Oth

er A

C M

ajor

Initi

ativ

es

for T

his P

opul

atio

n 21

,342

+ b

etw

een

1,00

0 an

d 5,

000

addi

tiona

l chi

ldre

n at

tend

aft

ersc

hool

pr

ogra

ms,

grad

es K

-1211

; 46

58 P

PS st

uden

ts g

rade

s 6-1

2 at

tend

ed

afte

rsch

ool p

rogr

ams (

34.3

% o

f chi

ldre

n en

rolle

d in

PPS

); 82

99 P

PS st

uden

ts P

reK-

grad

e 12

att

ende

d af

ters

choo

l pro

gram

s12

9% o

f PA

child

ren

part

icip

ate

in a

fter s

choo

l

24,6

62 c

hild

ren

part

icip

ated

in lo

cal

men

torin

g pr

ogra

ms a

nd 1

,802

you

ths

wer

e on

wai

ting

lists

for t

hose

pro

gram

s13

15%

of c

hild

ren

ages

6-1

7 in

AC

are

obes

e14

17.2

% o

f PA

child

ren

grad

es 7

-12

are

obes

e 17

.9%

USA

12.6

chi

ld d

eath

s per

100

,000

chi

ldre

n ag

es

10-1

4 pe

r yea

r fro

m 2

005-

2009

51

.7 c

hild

dea

ths p

er 1

00,0

00 c

hild

ren

ages

15

-19

per y

ear f

rom

200

5-20

09

Ages

10-

14:

15.9

Alle

ghen

y Co

unty

, PA

200

1-20

05

14.8

ave

rage

for a

ll PA

co

untie

s 200

5-20

09

Ages

15-

19:

59.4

Alle

ghen

y Co

unty

, PA

200

1-20

05

54.7

ave

rage

for a

ll PA

co

untie

s 200

5-20

09

1065

(age

s 13-

17) i

n ou

t of h

ome

plac

emen

t (i.e

. fos

ter c

are)

14

83 A

llegh

eny

Coun

ty, P

A 4/

08-3

/09

11 V

ery

roug

h es

timat

e ba

sed

on th

e m

ost r

ecen

t pro

gram

dat

a av

aila

ble

and

repr

esen

ted

in th

e 20

10 U

nite

d W

ay A

fter

scho

ol F

undi

ng M

ap re

port

12

Pitt

sbur

gh P

ublic

Sch

ools

(201

0-20

11),

enro

llmen

t thr

ough

Jan.

31,

201

1 13

201

0 da

ta fr

om T

he M

ento

ring

Part

ners

hip

of S

W P

A 14

CM

U S

tude

nt P

roje

ct (2

005)

; CDC

Beh

avio

ral R

isk F

acto

r Sur

veill

ance

Sys

tem

Sur

vey

Data

34


9

Grad

es 6

– 1

2 (a

ges 1

2-17

)

Cond

ition

Impr

ovin

g

Cond

ition

Sta

ble

Pr

oble

m A

rea

Key

Dem

ogra

phic

Fin

ding

Co

mpa

rabl

e Da

ta

Curr

ent U

WAC

Con

trib

utio

n to

Thi

s Pop

ulat

ion

Oth

er A

C M

ajor

Initi

ativ

es

for T

his P

opul

atio

n 85

.4%

gra

duat

e in

4 y

ears

(ran

ge 2

3.33

% -

99.1

2%);

59.3

% g

radu

ate

in 4

yea

rs in

75%

re

duce

d/fr

ee sc

hool

s

71.4

% C

uyah

oga

Coun

ty, O

H 84

.3%

Hill

sbor

ough

Cou

nty,

FL

303

child

ren

shel

tere

d by

the

hom

eles

s sy

stem

(243

age

s 13-

16; 6

0 ag

es 1

7-18

) O

vera

ll, th

e co

unty

repo

rted

155

0 ho

mel

ess s

choo

l-age

d (K

-gra

de 1

2) c

hild

ren

in 1

0-11

35


10

Not

e on

K-1

2 st

uden

ts in

Pitt

sbur

gh P

ublic

Sch

ools:

14,4

50 st

uden

ts –

abo

ut 5

3 pe

rcen

t of d

istric

t enr

ollm

ent –

hav

e pr

ior i

nvol

vem

ent w

ith a

t lea

st o

ne o

f 16

hum

an se

rvic

e pr

ogra

ms p

rovi

ded

by

Depa

rtm

ent o

f Hum

an S

ervi

ces;

36

perc

ent o

f tho

se st

uden

ts re

ceiv

ed se

rvic

es w

ithin

the

last

yea

r.

In

Spe

cial

Edu

catio

n Sc

hool

s, 8

7% o

f stu

dent

s rec

eive

d DH

S se

rvic

es w

ith 7

7% w

ithin

the

last

yea

r

48

% o

f stu

dent

s who

hav

e re

ceiv

ed h

uman

serv

ices

are

at o

r abo

ve re

adin

g pr

ofic

ienc

y, c

ompa

red

to 6

7% o

f stu

dent

s with

no

prio

r Hum

an

Serv

ice

invo

lvem

ent

34%

of h

igh

scho

ol st

uden

ts w

ith p

rior H

uman

Ser

vice

invo

lvem

ent a

re o

n tr

ack

for P

gh P

rom

ise sc

hola

rshi

p co

mpa

red

to 6

8% w

ith n

o pr

ior H

S in

volv

emen

t

Scho

ol d

istric

ts w

ith h

igh

num

bers

of s

tude

nts q

ualif

ying

for f

ree

and

redu

ced

lunc

h:

Al

legh

eny

Coun

ty, t

otal

: 36.

9% o

f stu

dent

s qua

lify

Pi

ttsb

urgh

Pub

lic S

choo

ls: 6

5.9%

of s

tude

nts q

ualif

y

Clai

rton

City

Sch

ool D

istric

t: 88

.5%

of s

tude

nts q

ualif

y

Com

men

ts/f

indi

ngs/

issu

es:

La

st y

ear,

97.3

% o

f chi

ldre

n in

the

coun

ty h

ad h

ealth

insu

ranc

e; re

cent

ly, 8

8,00

0 ch

ildre

n ac

ross

the

stat

e lo

st M

edic

aid

cove

rage

, and

the

prop

osed

12

-13

budg

et is

redu

cing

fund

s for

CHI

P by

$5

mill

ion

Larg

e ga

ps in

pro

ficie

ncy

scor

es a

nd g

radu

atio

n ra

tes [

with

in 4

yea

rs] b

etw

een

scho

ols w

ith o

ver 7

5% o

f stu

dent

s qua

lifyi

ng fo

r fre

e or

redu

ced

lunc

h an

d sc

hool

s whe

re fa

r few

er st

uden

ts a

re e

ligib

le

O

nly

9% o

f chi

ldre

n ac

ross

PA

part

icip

ate

in a

fters

choo

l; th

e pa

rent

inte

rest

to h

ave

thei

r chi

ldre

n pa

rtic

ipat

e in

affo

rdab

le a

nd h

igh

qual

ity

afte

rsch

ool c

are

far e

xcee

ds th

e nu

mbe

r of c

hild

ren

who

act

ually

do

part

icip

ate

Nat

iona

lly, 1

7% o

f ALL

chi

ldre

n sh

elte

red

by th

e ho

mel

ess s

yste

m w

ere

betw

een

the

ages

of 6

and

12,

and

alth

ough

the

data

base

s are

wea

k, w

e ex

pect

the

sam

e pi

ctur

e in

Alle

ghen

y Co

unty

; the

gen

eral

tren

d na

tiona

lly, i

n PA

, and

in th

e co

unty

is th

at th

e nu

mbe

r of f

amili

es b

eing

serv

ed b

y ho

mel

ess s

helte

rs is

risin

g

Adol

esce

nts e

ngag

ing

in ri

sky

beha

vior

s (al

coho

l and

oth

er d

rug

use)

was

impr

ovin

g bu

t has

rece

ntly

bee

n w

orse

ning

Te

en (1

3-17

) vic

timiza

tion

happ

ens p

rimar

ily b

etw

een

mid

-day

and

eve

ning

, spi

king

at 6

PM

36


11

Du

ques

ne C

ity S

choo

l Dist

rict:

94.5

% o

f stu

dent

s qua

lify

M

cKee

spor

t Are

a Sc

hool

Dist

rict:

71.8

% o

f stu

dent

s qua

lify

W

ilkin

sbur

g Bo

roug

h Sc

hool

Dist

rict:

80.8

% o

f stu

dent

s qua

lify

W

oodl

and

Hills

Sch

ool D

istric

t: 70

.5%

of s

tude

nts q

ualif

y

37


12

Ages

18

- 24

Co

nditi

on Im

prov

ing

Co

nditi

on S

tabl

e

Prob

lem

Are

a

Key

Dem

ogra

phic

Fin

ding

Co

mpa

rabl

e Da

ta

Curr

ent U

WAC

Con

trib

utio

n to

Thi

s Po

pula

tion

Oth

er A

C M

ajor

Initi

ativ

es fo

r Thi

s Po

pula

tion

Popu

latio

n: 1

23,6

13 (a

ges 1

8-24

) 11

3,16

3 Cu

yaho

ga C

ount

y, O

H 13

3,55

1 He

nnep

in, M

N

128,

843

Hills

boro

ugh,

FL

Tran

sitio

n fr

om fo

ster

car

e st

rate

gies

; Pre

parin

g yo

uth

for

care

ers

thro

ugh

out-o

f-sch

ool t

ime,

m

ento

ring,

key

tran

sitio

ns, a

nd

advo

cacy

stra

tegi

es

DHS

tran

sitio

n fr

om fo

ster

car

e pr

ogra

ms;

Ca

reer

and

job

trai

ning

pro

gram

s;

Yout

h pr

ogra

ms f

or o

lder

you

th;

Trua

ncy

prev

entio

n

27.2

% li

ve u

nder

100

% o

f the

po

vert

y le

vel15

26

.5%

Cuy

ahog

a Co

unty

, OH

28.2

% H

enne

pin,

MN

24.5

% H

illsb

orou

gh, F

L 4,

301

(6.5

%) i

dle

yout

h, a

ges 1

6-19

, un

empl

oyed

and

not

in la

bor f

orce

(2

010,

incl

udes

HS

grad

s and

non

HS

gra

ds)

3,75

1 (6

.5%

) 200

5 Al

legh

eny

Coun

ty,

7,31

2 (1

0.2%

) Cuy

ahog

a Co

unty

, OH

2,87

0 (4

.9%

) Hen

nepi

n Co

unty

, MN

7,

575

(10.

8%) H

illsb

orou

gh C

ount

y,

FL

Estim

ated

71.

2% a

ges 2

0-24

in

wor

kfor

ce

78.0

% C

uyah

oga

Coun

ty, O

H

78.8

% H

enne

pin

Coun

ty, M

N

78.4

% H

illsb

orou

gh C

ount

y, F

L 13

.5%

une

mpl

oyed

(201

0, a

ge 2

0-24

) 13

.7%

Hen

nepi

n Co

unty

, MN

139

yout

h ag

ed o

ut o

f fos

ter c

are

110

Alle

ghen

y Co

unty

, PA

Prev

ious

ye

ar

97.7

dea

ths p

er 1

00,0

00 c

hild

ren

ages

20-

24 p

er y

ear f

rom

200

5-20

09

103.

4 Al

legh

eny

Coun

ty, P

A 20

01-

2005

97

.2 a

vera

ge fo

r all

PA c

ount

ies

2005

-200

9 8.

2 ho

mic

ides

per

100

,000

(all

ages

, ag

e-ad

just

ed to

200

0 st

d po

pula

tion)

from

200

5-20

09

7.6

Alle

ghen

y Co

unty

, PA

2001

-20

05

5.9

aver

age

for a

ll PA

cou

ntie

s 20

05-2

009

12.4

fire

arm

-rel

ated

dea

ths (

all

ages

, age

-adj

uste

d to

200

0 st

d.

popu

latio

n) fr

om 2

005-

2009

11.1

Alle

ghen

y Co

unty

, PA

2001

-20

05

10.6

ave

rage

for a

ll PA

cou

ntie

s 20

05-2

009

15 C

ensu

s Bur

eau

(201

0)

38


13

Ages

18

- 24

Co

nditi

on Im

prov

ing

Co

nditi

on S

tabl

e

Prob

lem

Are

a

Key

Dem

ogra

phic

Fin

ding

Co

mpa

rabl

e Da

ta

Curr

ent U

WAC

Con

trib

utio

n to

Thi

s Po

pula

tion

Oth

er A

C M

ajor

Initi

ativ

es fo

r Thi

s Po

pula

tion

Hom

icid

e ra

te fo

r you

ng b

lack

men

liv

ing

in P

ittsb

urgh

is 2

84.2

per

10

0,00

0 ho

mic

ides

, 60X

the

over

all

rate

for P

ittsb

urgh

and

50X

the

natio

nal a

vera

ge

18-2

4 ye

ar o

lds a

ccou

nt fo

r 36%

of

all h

omic

ide

vict

ims i

n Al

legh

eny

Coun

ty

51%

of h

omic

ide

offe

nder

s in

the

coun

ty w

ere

less

than

25-

year

s-ol

d

Mor

e th

an 5

0% o

f vic

tims b

etw

een

ages

of 1

7-24

had

crim

inal

reco

rds

39


14

Com

men

ts/f

indi

ngs/

issu

es:

Th

ere

is a

high

rate

of p

over

ty fo

r thi

s age

gro

up

Yout

h ag

ing

out o

f fos

ter c

are

need

ext

ra su

ppor

ts

Youn

g ad

ult d

eath

rate

for a

ges 2

0-24

(all

caus

es)

has d

ecre

ased

ove

r the

last

dec

ade

but s

till e

xcee

d th

e st

ate

aver

age

and

is w

ell a

bove

He

alth

y Pe

ople

202

0 go

als

36%

of h

omic

ide

vict

ims (

all a

ges,

incl

udin

g ad

ults

) res

ide

in ju

st 5

% o

f Pitt

sbur

gh’s

nei

ghbo

rhoo

ds

Criti

cal a

ge ra

nge

for i

nter

vent

ion

on c

rime

is 18

-25

Youn

g ad

ult (

ages

18-

24) v

ictim

izatio

n ha

ppen

s prim

arily

bet

wee

n 10

PM

and

1 A

M

40


Appendix B

41


1

Uni

ted

Way

’s F

ram

ewor

k fo

r Chi

ldre

n an

d Yo

uth,

201

3-20

16

Vi

sion

: It

is U

nite

d W

ay’s

vis

ion

for c

hild

ren

and

yout

h th

at a

ll ch

ildre

n ar

e su

ppor

ted

by th

eir f

amili

es a

nd o

ur

com

mun

ity to

be

heal

thy

and

safe

, suc

ceed

aca

dem

ical

ly, a

nd tr

ansi

tion

into

adu

lthoo

d re

ady

to w

ork

and

cont

ribut

e to

soci

ety.

Mis

sion

: It

is U

nite

d W

ay’s

mis

sion

rega

rdin

g ch

ildre

n an

d yo

uth

to c

reat

e, c

onne

ct, a

nd/o

r fac

ilita

te o

ppor

tuni

ties

that

chi

ldre

n ne

ed a

nd st

rive

to e

nsur

e ac

cess

, hig

h qu

ality

, and

affo

rdab

le re

sour

ces f

or c

hild

ren

and

thei

r fam

ilies

that

co

ntrib

ute

to th

eir l

ong

term

succ

ess.

Ever

y ch

ild is

hea

lthy.

Al

l chi

ldre

n in

our

regi

on n

eed

heal

th in

sura

nce,

a m

edic

al h

ome,

and

com

mun

ity e

ffort

s to

impr

ove

posit

ive

heal

th o

utco

mes

. Cu

rren

t Uni

ted

Way

Initi

ativ

es

Em

ergi

ng In

itiat

ives

Id

eas f

or th

e Fu

ture

In

vest

in q

ualit

y ou

t-of-s

choo

l-tim

e pr

ogra

ms t

hat i

ncor

pora

te h

ealth

and

w

elln

ess e

lem

ents

: o

Tech

Gyrls

(YW

CA)

o Co

mm

unity

LEA

RNS

(Nei

ghbo

rhoo

d Le

arni

ng A

llian

ce)

o Af

ters

choo

l Exc

elle

nce

(Boy

s and

Gi

rls C

lub)

o

Yout

h LI

FE, K

OO

L, a

nd E

mer

ging

Le

ader

s Pro

gram

s (Hu

man

Se

rvic

es C

ente

r Cor

p)

o O

n-TR

ACK

(TCV

MH/

MR)

o

Cub

Scou

ts 1

-2-3

(Boy

Sco

uts)

o

Lead

ers I

n Tr

aini

ng fo

r Tom

orro

w

(Girl

Sco

uts)

o

The

EFFO

RT P

roje

ct (Y

outh

Plac

es)

Ch

ild W

elln

ess C

ampa

ign

100%

Cam

paig

n (h

ealth

insu

ranc

e)

Unite

d W

ay’s

Visi

on fo

r Chi

ldre

n an

d Yo

uth,

201

3 –

2016

42


2 O

ther

Sim

ilar C

omm

unity

Initi

ativ

es:

Brea

the,

Con

sum

er H

ealth

Coa

litio

n, C

HIP,

Chi

ldre

n’s H

ospi

tal o

f Pitt

sbur

gh, G

row

Pitt

sbur

gh, U

PMC

Com

mun

ity In

itiat

ives

, Alle

ghen

y Co

unty

He

alth

Dep

artm

ent (

WIC

, Lea

d Po

isoni

ng P

reve

ntio

n), N

urse

Fam

ily P

artn

ersh

ips

All c

hild

ren

have

acc

ess t

o qu

ality

ear

ly ch

ildca

re a

nd e

duca

tion

prog

ram

s.

Whe

n ch

ildre

n in

our

regi

on h

ave

equa

l acc

ess

to q

ualit

y ea

rly c

hild

care

and

edu

catio

n pr

ogra

ms,

a n

eces

sary

foun

datio

n is

esta

blish

ed u

pon

whi

ch fu

ture

ac

adem

ic su

cces

s and

lear

ning

are

bui

lt.

Curr

ent U

nite

d W

ay In

itiat

ives

Emer

ging

Initi

ativ

es

Idea

s for

the

Futu

re

In

crea

se K

inde

rgar

ten

enro

llmen

t and

at

tend

ance

o

Hi 5

! Kin

derg

arte

n, H

ere

I Com

e o

Conn

ectin

g to

Kin

derg

arte

n (U

rban

Lea

gue)

Supp

ort e

arly

chi

ld c

are

and

educ

atio

n ef

fort

s (Pi

ttsb

urgh

Ass

ocia

tion

for t

he

Educ

atio

n of

You

ng C

hild

ren,

PAE

YC)

o St

ate

advo

cacy

o

Build

ing

Busin

ess C

ham

pion

s

In

crea

se a

cces

s to

and

qual

ity o

f ear

ly

child

hood

edu

catio

n

Allie

s for

Chi

ldre

n

Enga

ge B

usin

ess C

omm

unity

: Bus

ines

s Co

mm

issio

n

In

crea

se c

apac

ity fo

r ful

l-day

Kin

derg

arte

n

Enga

ge B

usin

ess C

omm

unity

: Edu

catio

nal

Impr

ovem

ent T

ax C

redi

t

Oth

er S

imila

r Com

mun

ity In

itiat

ives

:

Grow

Up

Grea

t, Re

ady

Fred

dy, O

ffice

of C

hild

Dev

elop

men

t and

Dev

elop

men

tal L

earn

ing

(PA

Depa

rtm

ent o

f Wel

fare

), PA

EYC,

Alle

ghen

y In

term

edia

te U

nit (

AIU

), Ki

dsbu

rgh,

A+

Scho

ols

All c

hild

ren

are

prot

ecte

d, n

urtu

red,

and

edu

cate

d by

thei

r par

ents

and

care

give

rs.

Whe

n pa

rent

s hav

e th

e ed

ucat

ion

and

supp

ort t

hey

need

, the

y ca

n be

tter

car

e fo

r the

ir ch

ildre

n, a

cces

s ser

vice

s for

thei

r fam

ily, a

dvoc

ate

on b

ehal

f of t

heir

child

ren,

and

be

activ

ely

enga

ged

in d

ecisi

on m

akin

g th

at a

ffect

s the

ir ch

ildre

n’s l

ives

. Cu

rren

t Uni

ted

Way

Initi

ativ

es

Em

ergi

ng In

itiat

ives

Id

eas f

or th

e Fu

ture

Ad

voca

te fo

r bes

t pra

ctic

es in

pre

vent

ing

child

abu

se a

nd n

egle

ct (C

ampa

ign

for

Com

mun

ity S

choo

ls

43


3

Wha

t Wor

ks; G

over

n fo

r Kid

s)

He

lp v

ictim

s of d

omes

tic a

buse

find

fin

anci

al st

abili

ty so

thei

r hom

e lif

e is

free

of

abu

se (W

omen

’s C

ente

r and

She

lter)

Prep

are

youn

g fa

ther

s to

supp

ort t

heir

fam

ilies

(You

ng F

athe

rs—

Hill

Hous

e)

Em

pow

er a

nd w

ork

with

fam

ilies

to

elim

inat

e fa

ctor

s con

trib

utin

g to

in

stab

ility

(Pro

ject

Fin

ish L

ine—

Thre

e Ri

vers

You

th, G

wen

’s G

irls,

Fam

ily L

inks

)

Ensu

re fa

mili

es u

nder

stan

d th

e im

port

ance

of b

eing

scho

ol re

ady

by a

ge

five

(Con

nect

ing

to K

inde

rgar

ten—

Urb

an

Leag

ue)

Su

ppor

t aca

dem

ic su

cces

s for

chi

ldre

n th

roug

h pa

rent

edu

catio

n (M

akin

g th

e Gr

ade—

Fam

ily S

ervi

ces,

Com

mun

ity

Hum

an S

ervi

ces)

Prov

ide

fam

ilies

with

gra

duat

ion

coac

hes

(Nei

ghbo

rhoo

d Le

arni

ng A

llian

ce)

O

ther

Sim

ilar C

omm

unity

Initi

ativ

es:

Fam

ily S

uppo

rt C

ente

rs; O

ffice

of C

hild

Dev

elop

men

t (Ki

nder

gart

en C

lubs

and

Rea

dy F

redd

y)

All c

hild

ren

succ

eed

in sc

hool

. Ch

ildre

n de

serv

e th

e op

port

unity

to le

arn

at h

ome,

in sc

hool

and

in th

e co

mm

unity

. Lea

rnin

g op

port

uniti

es su

ch a

s men

torin

g bu

ild o

n sc

hool

less

ons a

nd

fost

er c

hara

cter

dev

elop

men

t. C

hild

ren

who

are

inde

pend

ent a

nd e

ngag

ed le

arne

rs w

ill b

e pr

epar

ed to

succ

eed

in li

fe.

Curr

ent U

nite

d W

ay In

itiat

ives

Emer

ging

Initi

ativ

es

Idea

s for

the

Futu

re

Su

stai

n an

d en

hanc

e m

ento

ring,

tuto

ring,

an

d ea

rly g

rade

r rea

ding

initi

ativ

es th

at

enha

nce

lear

ning

and

cha

ract

er

deve

lopm

ent

o Al

lies f

or C

hild

ren

o Ea

rly li

tera

cy in

itiat

ive

Im

prov

e te

ache

r qua

lity

Im

prov

e sc

hool

att

enda

nce

Co

mm

unity

scho

ols

44


4

o Be

a 6

th G

rade

Men

tor

(cor

ners

tone

of B

e 1

in a

Mill

ion)

o

Be 1

in a

Mill

ion

(Am

achi

M

ento

ring,

Rea

ding

is

FUN

dam

enta

l, Ev

eryb

ody

Win

s!

Smar

t Fut

ures

E-m

ento

rs, C

aree

r Sp

eake

rs

o Af

rican

Am

eric

an A

chie

vem

ent

Trus

t (U

rban

Lea

gue)

Cam

paig

n fo

r Wha

t Wor

ks

En

sure

chi

ldre

n ar

e en

rolle

d an

d re

ady

for

scho

ol b

y ag

e fiv

e o

Hi 5

! Kin

derg

arte

n He

re I

Com

e o

Conn

ectin

g to

Kin

derg

arte

n (U

rban

Lea

gue)

Ensu

re p

rope

r pub

lic e

duca

tion

for

child

ren

expe

rienc

ing

child

wel

fare

pl

acem

ents

(Fos

terin

g Sc

hool

Suc

cess

—Ki

dsVo

ice)

Mot

ivat

e ab

used

and

neg

lect

ed c

hild

ren

to su

ccee

d in

edu

catio

n an

d jo

b pr

epar

atio

n (P

roje

ct F

inish

Lin

e—Th

ree

Rive

rs Y

outh

, Gw

en’s

Girl

s, F

amily

Lin

ks)

Su

ppor

t aca

dem

ic su

cces

s for

chi

ldre

n th

roug

h pa

rent

edu

catio

n (M

akin

g th

e Gr

ade—

Fam

ily S

ervi

ces w

ith C

HSC)

Emph

asize

the

impo

rtan

ce o

f edu

catio

n to

ol

der y

outh

thro

ugh

scho

ol-t

o-w

ork

initi

ativ

es

o Ag

e U

p N

ot O

ut (Y

outh

Wor

ks,

Jew

ish F

amily

and

Chi

ldre

n’s

Serv

ices

) o

Out

of S

choo

l You

th P

rogr

am (H

ill

Hous

e)

45


5

o Li

fe’s

Wor

k Yo

uth

Prog

ram

Supp

ort q

ualit

y pr

ogra

ms a

nd c

olle

ct

mea

sura

ble

resu

lts

o Te

chGy

rls (Y

WCA

) o

Com

mun

ity L

EARN

S (N

eigh

borh

ood

Lear

ning

Alli

ance

) o

Afte

rsch

ool E

xcel

lenc

e (B

oys a

nd

Girls

Clu

b)

o Yo

uth

LIFE

, KO

OL,

and

Em

ergi

ng

Lead

ers P

rogr

ams (

Hum

an

Serv

ices

Cen

ter C

orp)

o

On-

TRAC

K (T

CV M

H/M

R)

o Cu

b Sc

outs

1-2

-3 (B

oy S

cout

s)

o Le

ader

s In

Trai

ning

for T

omor

row

(G

irl S

cout

s)

o Th

e EF

FORT

Pro

ject

(You

thPl

aces

) O

ther

Sim

ilar C

omm

unity

Initi

ativ

es:

A+ S

choo

ls, P

ittsb

urgh

Pro

mise

, Sum

mer

Dre

amer

s, H

ear M

e, G

row

Up

Grea

t, Ho

mew

ood

Child

ren’

s Vill

age,

Con

sort

ium

for P

ublic

Edu

catio

n

All c

hild

ren

have

car

ing

adul

ts g

uidi

ng, e

ncou

ragi

ng a

nd m

obili

zing

the

com

mun

ity o

n th

eir b

ehal

f. Ch

ildre

n le

arn

and

deve

lop

into

stro

ng c

itize

ns w

hen

surr

ound

ed b

y ad

ults

who

giv

e, a

dvoc

ate,

and

vol

unte

er.

Curr

ent U

nite

d W

ay In

itiat

ives

Emer

ging

Initi

ativ

es

Idea

s for

the

Futu

re

Su

stai

n an

d en

hanc

e U

nite

d W

ay

com

mun

ity m

obili

zatio

n ef

fort

s o

Be a

6th

Gra

de M

ento

r (c

orne

rsto

ne o

f Be

1 in

a M

illio

n)

o Be

1 in

a M

illio

n (A

mac

hi

Men

torin

g, R

eadi

ng is

FU

Nda

men

tal -

Eve

rybo

dy W

ins!

Sm

art F

utur

es E

-men

tors

, Car

eer

Spea

kers

)

Al

lies f

or C

hild

ren

M

ath

and

scie

nce

men

tors

and

tuto

rs

M

ath

and

scie

nce

men

tors

and

tuto

rs

46


6

o Al

legh

eny

Part

ners

for O

ut o

f Sc

hool

Tim

e (A

POST

) o

Yout

h Fu

ture

s Com

miss

ion

o

Cam

paig

n fo

r Wha

t Wor

ks

o Go

vern

for K

ids

Su

ppor

t oth

er c

omm

unity

mob

iliza

tion

effo

rts

o Af

rican

Am

eric

an A

chie

vem

ent

Trus

t; Co

nnec

ting

to K

inde

rgar

ten

(Urb

an L

eagu

e)

o Gr

adua

tion

Cham

pion

s Cam

paig

n;

Com

mun

ity L

EARN

S (N

eigh

borh

ood

Lear

ning

Alli

ance

) o

The

EFFO

RT P

roje

ct; Y

outh

Vi

olen

ce P

reve

ntio

n Pr

ojec

t (Y

outh

Plac

es)

En

sure

pro

per p

ublic

edu

catio

n fo

r ch

ildre

n ex

perie

ncin

g ch

ild w

elfa

re

plac

emen

ts (F

oste

ring

Scho

ol S

ucce

ss –

Ki

dsVo

ice)

Oth

er S

imila

r Com

mun

ity In

itiat

ives

:

Child

Wat

ch, F

amily

Sup

port

Cen

ters

, the

Men

torin

g Pa

rtne

rshi

p of

Sou

thw

este

rn P

A, G

reat

er P

ittsb

urgh

Afte

rsch

ool P

eer N

etw

ork,

PA

Stat

ewid

e Af

ters

choo

l You

th D

evel

opm

ent N

etw

ork

(PSA

YDN

)

All c

hild

ren

are

safe

and

invo

lved

in e

nric

hmen

t act

iviti

es d

urin

g ou

t-of

-sch

ool t

ime.

O

ut-o

f-sch

ool t

ime

prog

ram

s com

plem

ent s

choo

l lea

rnin

g, p

rovi

de o

ppor

tuni

ties f

or n

ew e

xper

ienc

es, a

nd k

eep

kids

safe

and

hea

lthy

(mea

ls, p

hysic

al

activ

ities

).

Curr

ent U

nite

d W

ay In

itiat

ives

Emer

ging

Initi

ativ

es

Idea

s for

the

Futu

re

Ad

voca

ting

and

fost

erin

g a

syst

emic

, su

ppor

tive

netw

ork

focu

sed

on a

qu

ality

app

roac

h to

out

of s

choo

l tim

e

Ca

ring

and

Shar

ing

47


7

prog

ram

min

g (A

llegh

eny

Part

ners

for

Out

of S

choo

l Tim

e)

Su

ppor

t qua

lity

prog

ram

s and

col

lect

m

easu

rabl

e re

sults

o

Tech

Gyrls

(YW

CA)

o Co

mm

unity

LEA

RNS

(Nei

ghbo

rhoo

d Le

arni

ng

Allia

nce)

o

Afte

rsch

ool E

xcel

lenc

e (B

oys

and

Girls

Clu

b)

o Yo

uth

LIFE

, KO

OL,

and

Em

ergi

ng L

eade

rs P

rogr

ams

(Hum

an S

ervi

ces C

ente

r Cor

p)

o O

n-TR

ACK

(TCV

MH/

MR)

o

Cub

Scou

ts 1

-2-3

(Boy

Sco

uts)

o

Lead

ers I

n Tr

aini

ng fo

r To

mor

row

(Girl

Sco

uts)

o

The

EFFO

RT P

roje

ct

(You

thPl

aces

)

Oth

er S

imila

r Com

mun

ity In

itiat

ives

:

Pitt

sbur

gh P

ublic

Sch

ools,

Hom

ewoo

d Ch

ildre

n’s V

illag

e, M

cAul

ey M

inist

ries,

Sar

ah H

einz

Hou

se, G

reat

er P

ittsb

urgh

Aft

ersc

hool

Pee

r Net

wor

k,

PA S

tate

wid

e Af

ters

choo

l You

th D

evel

opm

ent N

etw

ork

(PSA

YDN

)

All c

hild

ren

and

fam

ilies

are

safe

from

vio

lenc

e an

d ho

mel

essn

ess.

Sa

fe h

omes

, saf

e st

reet

s, sa

fe sc

hool

s and

safe

nei

ghbo

rhoo

ds fo

ster

pos

itive

gro

wth

and

dev

elop

men

t in

child

ren,

fam

ilies

, nei

ghbo

rhoo

ds a

nd th

e en

tire

regi

on.

Curr

ent U

nite

d W

ay In

itiat

ives

Emer

ging

Initi

ativ

es

Idea

s for

the

Futu

re

Yo

uth

Viol

ence

Pre

vent

ion

Proj

ect

(You

thPl

aces

)

Fres

h St

art J

uven

ile Ju

stic

e Pr

ogra

m (B

oys

and

Girls

Clu

b)

Si

emer

Inst

itute

for F

amily

Sta

bilit

y

48


8

Yout

h Fu

ture

s Com

miss

ion

Su

ppor

t wom

en’s

cen

ters

and

shel

ters

(t

hrou

gh F

inan

cial

ly S

trug

glin

g Ad

ults

and

Fa

mili

es)

Su

ppor

t hou

sing

optio

ns fo

r hom

eles

s yo

uth

(My

Plac

e - A

CTIO

N Ho

usin

g) a

nd

hom

eles

s fam

ilies

(thr

ough

Fin

anci

ally

St

rugg

ling

Adul

ts a

nd F

amili

es)

O

ther

Sim

ilar C

omm

unity

Initi

ativ

es:

Stre

et B

eat P

ittsb

urgh

, Pitt

sbur

gh In

itiat

ive

to R

educ

e Cr

ime

(City

of P

ittsb

urgh

Pol

ice)

, Alle

ghen

y Co

unty

She

rriff

’s O

ffice

’s C

rime

Prev

entio

n Pr

ogra

ms,

Hom

eles

s Edu

catio

n Fu

nd, 0

-5 H

omel

ess F

amily

Pro

ject

(OCD

)

Ever

y ch

ild’s

wel

lbei

ng is

impr

oved

thro

ugh

effe

ctiv

e ad

voca

cy e

ffort

s.

Thro

ugh

coor

dina

ted

and

colla

bora

tive

educ

atio

n an

d ad

voca

cy, t

he m

ost i

mpo

rtan

t iss

ues f

acin

g ch

ildre

n ar

e ad

dres

sed

by o

ur le

ader

s and

ele

cted

offi

cial

s.

Curr

ent U

nite

d W

ay In

itiat

ives

Emer

ging

Initi

ativ

es

Idea

s for

the

Futu

re

Su

stai

n an

d en

hanc

e U

nite

d W

ay c

hild

ad

voca

cy e

ffort

s o

Gove

rn fo

r Kid

s o

Cam

paig

n fo

r Wha

t Wor

ks

o Al

legh

eny

Part

ners

for O

ut o

f Sc

hool

Tim

e

Supp

ort o

ther

chi

ld a

dvoc

acy

effo

rts

o Af

rican

Am

eric

an

Achi

evem

ent T

rust

o

Kids

Voic

e

Al

lies f

or C

hild

ren

Oth

er S

imila

r Com

mun

ity In

itiat

ives

:

A+ S

choo

ls, P

A Pa

rtne

rshi

ps fo

r Chi

ldre

n, P

A St

atew

ide

Afte

rsch

ool Y

outh

Dev

elop

men

t Net

wor

k (P

SAYD

N),

Uni

vers

ity o

f Pitt

sbur

gh O

ffice

of

Child

Dev

elop

men

t, Fa

mily

Res

ourc

es, P

AEYC

, Con

sum

er H

ealth

Coa

litio

n, E

PLC,

Chi

ld W

atch

, Fig

ht C

rime

Inve

st in

Kid

s PA,

GPN

P

49


Appendix C

50


Impr

ove

child

w

ellb

eing

Build

fo

unda

tions

fo

r aca

dem

ic

succ

ess (

preK

-5t

h gr

ade)

Enha

nce

educ

atio

n an

d ca

reer

read

ines

s fo

r you

th a

nd

youn

g ad

ults

(g

rade

s 6-1

2 an

d be

yond

)

Mob

ilize

th

e co

mm

unity

Crea

ting

Path

way

s to

Suc

cess

—Un

ited

Way

’s C

hild

ren

and

Yout

h Pr

iorit

y Im

pact

Are

as 2

013

-201

6

The

Uni

ted

Way

will

em

bark

on

a ne

w fo

cus a

rea

to e

nsur

e th

at a

ll ch

ildre

n gr

ow u

p in

safe

, nur

turin

g an

d he

alth

y en

viro

nmen

ts. A

n in

itial

fo

cus i

n th

is ar

ea w

ill b

e ed

ucat

ion

arou

nd th

e pr

eval

ence

of c

hild

hood

ob

esity

and

its n

egat

ive

heal

th a

nd

othe

r con

sequ

ence

s. Th

e U

nite

d W

ay’s

wor

k w

ill c

ontin

ue

to a

ddre

ss c

ritic

al is

sues

that

affe

ct

youn

ger c

hild

ren,

such

as c

uts t

o pu

blic

ly fu

nded

pre

scho

ols a

nd p

re-K

pr

ogra

ms,

kind

erga

rten

att

enda

nce,

an

d sig

nific

ant a

chie

vem

ent g

aps i

n re

adin

g an

d m

ath

prof

icie

ncy.

Th

e U

nite

d W

ay h

as b

een

a le

ader

in

help

ing

yout

h an

d yo

ung

adul

ts

succ

eed

acad

emic

ally

and

in

prep

arat

ion

for c

aree

rs. T

hey

will

co

ntin

ue to

supp

ort o

ut o

f sch

ool

time

effo

rts,

men

torin

g, a

nd p

ublic

-pr

ivat

e pa

rtne

rshi

ps to

clo

se th

e ac

hiev

emen

t gap

and

supp

ort y

oung

pe

ople

as t

hey

deve

lop

path

way

s to

succ

ess.

The

Uni

ted

Way

will

supp

ort i

ts c

all t

o ac

tion—

“Giv

e, A

dvoc

ate,

Vol

unte

er”—

by m

obili

zing

serv

ice

lead

ers,

bus

ines

s le

ader

s, c

omm

unity

lead

ers,

and

citi

zens

to

wor

k un

ited

to im

prov

e th

e liv

es o

f ch

ildre

n an

d yo

uth.

Incr

easin

gly,

the

Uni

ted

Way

will

invo

lve

the

busin

ess

com

mun

ity in

thei

r ini

tiativ

es a

nd

outr

each

.

Key

stra

tegi

es to

cap

italiz

e on

the

Uni

ted

Way

’s st

reng

ths a

nd m

ake

a di

ffere

nce

in it

s thr

ee im

pact

are

as fo

r chi

ldre

n an

d yo

uth

incl

ude:

Prov

idin

g op

port

uniti

es fo

r and

en

gagi

ng b

usin

esse

s, c

omm

unity

le

ader

s, a

nd e

mpl

oyee

s

Enco

urag

ing

and

supp

ortin

g co

llabo

ratio

n ac

ross

the

serv

ice

land

scap

e

Focu

sing

on b

ig im

pact

s

Usin

g m

easu

rabl

e ou

tcom

es a

nd

data

to m

otiv

ate

the

com

mun

ity

Se

rvin

g as

a c

onve

ner

Ad

voca

ting

for c

hild

ren

and

yout

h

IMPA

CT A

REAS

ST

RATE

GY

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Creating Pathways to Success - unitedwaypittsburgh.org · Senior Vice President of Food & Beverage ... Community Narrative for Allegheny County’s Children and Youth ... Creating