Leadership Academy Opening: Welcome, Introductions, Purposes
Clifford Johnson, Executive Director, YEF Institute
Ms. Naomi Post, First Lady of Philadelphia and Co-Chair, Philadelphia Children's Commission

Discussion:  How and why Philadelphia is planning, pursuing, and documenting cross-system collaboration for older disconnected youth
Moderator:  Laura Shubilla, Philadelphia Youth Network
Panelists: JoAnn Weinberger, Youth Council Out-of-School Youth Subcommittee

Learn More about Philadelphia's One Stop Systems for Disconnected Youth »
Learn More about Philadelphia's Educational Options Companion Model »

Panelists:

• Gwen Morris, Office of Transition and Alternative Education, School District of Philadelphia
• David Fair, Division of Community-Based Prevention Services, Philadelphia Department of Human Services

Morris discussed several collaborations in which the School District of Philadelphia is engaged, including those with the Philadelphia Police Department, Family Court, and community- and faith-based organizations, including the city's RETI-WRAP program by which students return to school from juvenile facilities.

Site Visit, Presentations, Discussion at Achieving Independence Center

• Site Tour and Presentation:  Evelyn Busby, Director, Achieving Independence Center

Busby discussed the pioneering education and employment One Stop Center for transitioning foster youth developed by the city and its partners.  The Achieving Independence Center is a gateway to services that meet the individual needs of youth in the program.  

• After Dinner Talk: Frank F. Furstenberg, Jr., Zellerbach Family Professor of Sociology, University of Pennsylvania and Chair, Research Network on Transitions to Adulthood

Tuesday, October 5, 2004

Youth Violence Reduction Partnership

• John Delaney, Deputy District Attorney
• Denise Clayton, Deputy Director, Philadelphia Safe and Sound

Delaney and Clayton described the origins and functioning of Philadelphia's Youth Violence Reduction Partnership (YVRP).  YVRP is a multi-agency effort aimed at reducing youth homicides among those at greatest risk of killing or being killed, and has begun to expand from pilot police districts to function across more of the city.

Reintegration of Delinquent Youth

• James Randolph, Department of Human Services- Division of Juvenile Justice Services
• James Sharp, Chief of Juvenile Probation
• Candace Putter, Cross-System Reintegration Coordinator

Randolph, Sharp and Putter described the origins and design of new efforts by Philadelphia Family Court and the Philadelphia Department of Human Services to provide step-down reintegration services for adjudicated youth using the infrastructure of existing youth job training centers.