WORKFORCE SYSTEMS LETTER NO.:  07-09

DATE:            May 2, 2007

EFFECT:        ACTION                                                        INFO              ATTACHMENTS

                           [X]    State Workforce Administrators          [  ]

SUBJECT:     SHARED YOUTH VISION REGIONAL DIALOGUE MEETING

1. Purpose:   To announce the Shared Youth Vision Regional Dialogue meeting for multi-agency collaborative teams and/or state Shared Youth Vision team members.  This 2-day conference will be hosted by the Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration’s Boston Regional Office and held in Enfield, Connecticut, June 6-7, 2007.  The conference will begin with the welcome address and working lunch at 12 PM on Wednesday June 6^th.  The final conference session on Thursday, June 7^th will conclude at 3 PM.  In addition, there will be an extra session for the state labor partners to learn more about the credential/certificate Common Measure for youth.  Attendees are asked to make travel arrangements that will allow participation throughout the entire meeting.

Shared Youth Vision Regional Dialogue Meetings will be hosted by each of the six regional Department of Labor-Employment and Training Administration (DOL-ETA) offices. 

The participating state Shared Youth Vision (SYV) teams will gather to:

·        Hear an update on the SYV national initiative and the newly developed public information campaign.

·        Discuss progress to date and plans of each state team with the SYV initiatives.  Particular focus will be given to the composition and intention of teams and the importance of regional and local choice/control.

·        Develop activity plans for addressing barriers and for moving forward

·        Dialogue across state lines and agency lines about strategies for addressing the needs of neediest youth target groups.

·        Develop peer to peer linkages across state lines and agency lines in an effort to provide targeted guidance with SYV initiatives.

2.      Background: In 2003 the White House Task Force Report on Disadvantaged Youth noted that despite billions of public and private dollars spent on services to youth, many of the neediest youth are still being left behind.  The Report cited a lack of communication, coordination and collaboration among federal agencies serving youth. In response to the Report, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, Justice, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Labor and Transportation; the U. S. Social Security Administration; and the Corporation for National and Community Service formed the Federal Shared Youth Vision Collaborative Partnership with a focus on serving the neediest youth.

The Shared Youth Vision (SYV) calls upon the youth service system at all levels to work collaboratively in designing and coordinating programs focused on providing efficient services to the neediest youth.  States and local areas play a critical role in the outcomes of youth served through their programs.  The Federal Shared Youth Vision Collaborative Partnership (the Federal Partnership) promotes and supports states and local areas in developing a coordinated approach in their own region. 

This conference/meeting will be the first opportunity for Region 1 SYV collaborations to gather as a whole, since the initial Shared Youth Vision Forum in November 2004. 

      3.   Target Audience:    The audience will be multiple agency state teams representing each state in Region 1.  Attendees should include participants from each state that have been engaged with collaborative shared youth vision activities. At a minimum, state teams should be represented by multiple agencies that are collaborating around programs for the neediest youth.  Additionally, national, regional and district level representatives from partner agencies will be invited to participate in an effort to broaden, strengthen and sustain the collaborative teams.  State staff and local level staff (representing the state) that are invested in providing the best service to our youth are encouraged to participate, regardless of whether or not they have been actively engaged in SYV team activities to date. States are encouraged to invite up to ten participants, representing multiple agencies, to attend this meeting.

4.   Meeting Site and Hotel Accommodations:   The conference will be held at the Crowne Plaza Enfield-Springfield, 1 Bright Meadow Blvd in Enfield, Connecticut.  The conference dates are June 6-7, 2007.  Guest rooms are available for the evening of June 6^th.

A block of rooms has been reserved under the name, "Region 1 – Regional Dialogue" at the conference rate of $85.00 per night plus tax. Attendees should call the hotel at, 860-741-2211 identifying yourself as part of this group, by Friday, May 25, 2007 to secure a reservation at the conference rate. 

Reservations are the responsibility of each attendee and must be made by May 25th.  After this date, special rates and/or availability cannot be guaranteed. In order to guarantee your room, please be sure to provide a major credit card when making your reservation. Room and tax charges, along with all incidental charges, are the responsibility of each individual and must be paid upon departure.

5.   Registration:  Register for the conference on-line (the preferred method) or find a printable registration form.   Conference registration is the responsibility of each attendee and must be made no later than May 30^th.  (Please note that registering for the conference and making hotel reservations are separate and distinct.)

6.   Inquiries:  Questions regarding the conference should be directed to T. Lee Reynolds at (617) 788-0130 .

Grace A. Kilbane

Regional Administrator