Municipal Network on Disconnected Youth (MNDY)

Overview

Formed in 2002, the Municipal Network on Disconnected Youth (MNDY) is a nationwide peer learning community of municipal leaders who are concerned about older (16-24) young people who are out of work, out of school, and lack strong connections to the community and caring adults.  MNDY is a resource that municipal officials, and those who work with such officials, may use to create and continuously improve partnerships, policies, and programs that re-engage older youth with education, employment, and their communities.

This work began in recognition of the fact that disconnected youth who are unemployed, high school dropouts, homeless, teen parents, or involved in the justice system or child welfare systems post significant challenges to cities and towns across the country.  MNDY bolsters cross-system collaboration by helping municipal leaders share ideas, resources, and strategies for confronting these challenges.

Membership

More than 500 local elected officials and senior municipal staff from cities across the country belong to MNDY.  This network is open to all municipal officials who are interested in joining, as well as other local leaders with an interest in disconnected youth policy and programs.  A MNDY Steering Committee guides the network’s activities and focus.

Benefits

• Monthly e-newsletter: MNDY members receive monthly e-mail updates that highlight YEF Institute activities and resources, showcase promising city efforts, spotlight strategies and approaches to cross-system collaboration, and include additional resources, research, and relevant news items.
• Quarterly audioconference series: MNDY members can take part in a quarterly audioconference series focusing on a range of pertinent issues, from supporting youth transitioning out of foster care to sharing data across local agencies to identifying effective dropout prevention and recovery strategies.
• Site visits:  In 2008-09, the YEF Institute partnered with the American Youth Policy Forum in sponsoring site visits to Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, and Newark to help MNDY members learn first-hand about innovative strategies for reengaging disconnected youth.
• Periodic meetings and conference calls:  MNDY Steering Committee members participate in occasional meetings held at NLC conferences and events, as well as monthly conference calls on a broad range of issues.

Sample Resources

MNDY Newsletter (December 2008) >>

How to Join

To join the Municipal Network on Disconnected Youth, click here.  For questions about MNDY, contact Andrew Moore at (215) 848-6910 or moore@nlc.org.

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