 Opportunity | Equity | Youth and Family Voice | Access | Action
 OYF Concludes Third Successful Year of Summer Success
In July, the Mayor's Office of Youth and Families (OYF), in partnership with JOB1, completed its third year of the "Summer Success" program, which provides workforce readiness opportunities for New Orleans youth. The program intentionally connects youth who have either interacted with the juvenile justice system or who have been chronically absent from school with a five-week, paid work-readiness experience.
This summer’s cohort included 97 youth, ages 14-17, from across all five City Council districts. Referrals were made by NOLA-PS Office of Student Support, Orleans Parish Juvenile Court, Department of Children and Family Services, Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights, Boystown and others. In addition to work-readiness training, youth earned a stipend and had access to case management support, transportation assistance and transitional planning. Sample internship placement partners include Heroes of New Orleans, MicAmped, the Net Charter High-School, Community Avengers and New Orleans Video Access (NOVAC).
Le’Kedra Robertson, Director of MicAmped, shared: "MIC-AMPED has served as a partner since the inaugural launch of Summer Success. We cultivate a family environment for youth to feel safe, a sense of hope, and a toolbox to succeed in life. I strongly believe youth should be given intentional opportunities to become contributors to society through innovative pathways of engagement."
 Guaranteed Income Program Helps Opportunity Youth Address Basic Needs
This spring, 125 ‘opportunity youth’ (16-24 year-olds who are disconnected from work and school) began receiving direct cash transfers to help them gain economic stability. Funded by Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI), this initiative provides unconditional cash payments of $350/month for ten months. The Office of Youth and Families received referrals from ten community-based organizations that work with this population. This is a unique opportunity to directly invest in our city’s young people and provide financial support. New Orleans is the first MGI-funded city in the country to focus on individuals under 18 and we’re excited to see the results! Check out this PBS NewsHour interview with Jerred Franklin, one of our program participants.
 OYF Spearheads Working Group to Tackle Truancy and Chronic Absenteeism
This summer, the Office of Youth and Families, in partnership with the Louisiana Association of Public Schools (LAPCS), spearheaded a working group in order to tackle the challenge of chronic absenteeism and truancy in our public school system. Working group participants included representatives from NOLA-PS, OPSB, schools, NOPD, Juvenile Court, Municipal Court, the District Attorney, City Council, and various community organizations.
The goal of the working group was to revise the process and protocols for how New Orleans manages truancy by prioritizing student well-being, accountability, inter-agency collaboration, enhanced data collection and efficiency. The working group delved into current processes, surveyed national best practices and convened focus groups with students. This information was utilized to generate a set of recommendations, which include the need for the following:
- A clear, tiered set of interventions to manage unexcused absences that has roles for community stakeholders, school leaders, NOLA-PS, the court system, and NOPD
- Increased capacity and personnel at the district level to conduct truancy check requests and provide adequate case management services
- Comprehensive data collection to track students’ progression through the system
- Deepened collaboration between the court system and NOLA-PS
- An enhanced role for NOPD school resource officers in supporting truancy check requests
- Reinstating regular community canvasing events to increase the business community’s understanding of student employment limitations
 Citywide Park & Recreation Master Planning Process Begins Next Month
The Citywide Park and Recreation Master Plan is moving forward! Funded by the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA), the master plan will focus on building equitable access to parks and green spaces and improving environmental resilience. New Orleans was one of six communities across the country to receive a $433,800 grant from NRPA. The RFP selection committee met in a public meeting on July 19, 2022 at the Rosenwald Recreation Center and awarded the contract to design firm, Design Workshop, based on the evaluation criteria in the RFP. The planning process will be led by the Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families (OYF) and the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC). Residents interested in staying involved with the master plan process can email youthandfamilies@nola.gov.
 OYF Partners with Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools (LAPCS) to Improve School Bus Safety
Over the past several months, OYF convened a working group in partnership with Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools, NOLA-PS and the Department of Public Works to refine the school bus inspection and certification process. Over twenty school bus vendors and charter management organizations engaged in this process in order to improve user experience, efficiency, and overall safety. Thank you to all school and bus vendors for joining these discussions along with the leadership of the Ground Transportation Bureau.
Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) Representatives Attend Teacher Leader Summit
In early June, facilitators and alumni of The Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) were panelists for the Louisiana Department of Education’s Teacher Leader Summit to lend parents' perspective on education issues.
PLTI is a signature program of the Office of Youth and Families that engages parents and caregivers in a free 20-week course to develop leadership and advocacy skills on behalf of their children. Applications for the next cohort are available until September 9, 2022. Class begins October 8th and concludes March 28th, 2023. Interpretation services are provided for Spanish and English speakers. For more information contact Mischell Davis at Mischell.Davis2@nola.gov, 504-231-8485 or visit www.nola.gov/PLTI.
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Pathways Internship Program Graduates New Cohort of Participants
On June 17th, Mayor Cantrell, Councilmember Freddie King and others celebrated seventeen new graduates of the Pathways program--a 15-week program that combines work readiness training, personal development, conflict resolution, mindfulness and hands-on job experiences to provide opportunities for youth who have interacted with the juvenile justice system.
To date, Pathways has graduated 54 youth and partnered with over 10 local businesses. Graduates of the program are eligible to serve as mentors for the incoming cohort and to become a junior meditation trainer.
This year, participants gained experience in various fields including the arts, cosmetology and real estate. In early June, Pathways alumni experienced a nature-based retreat in Tennessee that helped them build community and support their personal development.To learn more about this program visit www.nola.gov/pathways.
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Mayor's Youth Advisory Council Speaks Out About Gun Violence
The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council (MYAC) ended the 2021-2022 session in May with a presentation on the effects of gun violence on New Orleans youth. This term, MYAC was composed of 25 youth that included representation from every council district and 15 different public, private, and parochial schools.
MYAC members meet once a month to develop priorities, propose solutions and advise the Mayor on issues that impact youth. This leadership opportunity aligns with the work of the Youth Master Plan in ensuring that youth voice is amplified in city government. Click here to see MYAC’s project on how gun violence is impacting our city’s youth.
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MYAC members were also active in the legislative session! Maren Antee, a recent graduate of the Willow School, testified before the Senate Committee on Education in support of HB 548. This bill requires the state Department of Education to develop and distribute health and safety guidelines relative to best practices for the use of digital devices in public schools. Additionally, Malachi Williams, a St. Augustine scholar, visited the Capitol to discuss his future political career and was recognized by the House of Representatives on the floor as a representative for St. Augustine.
Interested in lending your voice and weighing in on issues that affect youth? Apply to the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council! Applications open August 15, 2022, Visit www.nola.gov/myac to learn more.
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OYF and the Office of Community Development Create New Housing Assistance Program for NOLA Educators
9-8-8 Suicide Prevention Hotline Launched in July
9-8-8 is the new three digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) and launched nationally on July 16th. VIA LINK will be answering 9-8-8 for the 225, 504, and 985 area codes. VIA LINK specialists will be available 24/7 to provide emotional support, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention. Callers can also receive referrals to local behavioral health agencies/facilities. The public can still dial 800-273-TALK (the previous NSPL number) to access these services. https://vialink.org/
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Gentilly Back to School Fair- August 5th
Girls NOLA Initiative- July 25th through Sept 26th
City of NOLA invests in mental support for families impacted by justice system
New Orleans to kick off Master Plan Project to increase park access
Mayor Cantrell, school leaders announce plan to stem rising tide of truancy
NOLA-PS superintendent, mayor discuss truancy in schools ahead of 22-23 year
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell launches Guaranteed Income Program for teens
New Orleans launches guaranteed income program for at-risk youths
New Orleans hopes giving young people a guaranteed monthly income can break the cycle of property
Three single moms receive a "Guaranteed Income" each month. Here's what they're doing with it.
Mayor's Office of Youth and Families Celebrates Third Year of Summer Success Program Connecting At-Risk Youth with Work Readiness Opportunities
New Orleans students who beat stereotypes, shared kindness head to Aspen Ideas Festival
National Parent Leadership Institute Members Visit State Capitol
New Orleans Recreation Development Commission
To learn more about NORDC job opportunities, follow this link. For more information about employment opportunities, contact Brianne Hart at NORD 504-658-3052 or bchart@nolagov.
New Orleans Public Libraries
Visit NOPL's website to learn more about employment opportunities.
New Orleans Public Schools (NOLAPS)
NOLA Public Schools is seeking a Director of Early Childhood Opportunities. The Director of Early Childhood will be responsible for ensuring the fulfillment of NOLA Public Schools’ vision by ensuring a comprehensive early childhood strategy exists for the city of New Orleans. Visit NOLA-PS to learn more information.
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