Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential (LEAP)
What are some program highlights from Maine LEAP’s 1st year?
Highlight # 1
One of the biggest challenges and victories Maine LEAP has experienced thus far is around recruitment efforts for the JMG high school program. Recruitment began very slowly and prevented many youth from being able to benefit from participation in the JMG core class experience. Due to the evidence that young people experience more successful outcomes through their JMG classroom experience and hearing from young people that they want to have normal educational experiences, JMG and OCFS worked together to create a new data sharing agreement that allows JMG to streamline recruitment efforts and get more youth into the JMG class. Between the core JMG class and the Maine LEAP enhancements to JMG’s existing work, we believe young people will be set up for much greater success in their career and education goals.
Highlight # 3
Through conversations with Maine LEAP participants, we have learned that youth want the opportunities provided by Maine LEAP and value the program as a resource but also need high levels of flexibility in the program. Maine LEAP activities over the past year have illustrated just how diverse the needs of young people are and made clear that a one-size-fits-all approach will not adequately meet these needs. Fortunately, we have also learned through our Maine LEAP partnership that the organizations at the table have relationships that are stronger than ever and are up to the challenges at hand. Maine LEAP partners remain committed to improving education and career outcomes for young people who have experienced Maine’s foster care system and are confident Maine LEAP will be a critical lever in finally turning the curve for the young people who deserve our very best effort.
Highlight # 4Finally, Maine LEAP implementation has made clear that high school seniors need a great deal of support to bridge them to their education and career activities in adulthood. For this reason, Maine LEAP will bring high school seniors together who are graduating in June of 2017 so they can work together on their transition from high school. There will be six cohort events for this group between April of 2017 and March of 2018. These events will be focused on building relationships among the cohort, promoting a growth mindset, providing general information about the transition to adulthood and developing and implementing postsecondary education goals.
What questions does Maine LEAP have for MYTC?
Maine LEAP would like your input as we move into our second year of implementation:· Maine LEAP will be implementing a training and capacity building initiative to support the adults who are working with youth in foster care - what kinds of things do you believe adults need to know and be able to do to best support youth in care in reaching their education and career goals?
· Young people have made clear they need a balance between structure and flexibility as they undertake their transition to adulthood – how do you think Maine LEAP might be able to address this need?
· All young people need a lot of support as they transition from high school to adulthood and Maine LEAP is limited in how much it can do since we are so spread out geographically – when we are able to bring young people together to support them in their transition what areas should Maine LEAP focus on?
Contact Dianna Walters, Maine LEAP Director, for More Information
Phone: (207) 228-8330|Email: