learn and earn to achieve potentiallearn and earn to achieve potential (leap) is a...

10local partnerships

OUR REACH

54cities

87locations

Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential (LEAP) is a multimillion-dollar initiative that is increasing employment and educational opportunities for young people who have been involved in the child welfare and justice systems, or who are homeless, by adapting and scaling two established models to address their specific needs and challenges. Launched by the Corporation for National and Community Service’s Social Innovation Fund and the Annie E. Casey Foundation in 2015, this effort involves 10 local partnerships working across eight states, four national organizations — Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG), JFF, MDRC and School & Main Institute — and a growing network of more than 60 local and national funders. Here's a glimpse at the early results from LEAP's second year.

LEARN AND EARN TO ACHIEVE POTENTIAL

THE CHALLENGE 4.6 million young people ages 16–24 are neither in school nor working

1As of June 20182Involvement rates are not mutually exclusive

1,981

49% 51%

young people have enrolled in LEAP

male female

WHO WE SERVE1 THEORY OF CHANGE LEAP AT A GLANCE

41%Black/ African American

23%Hispanic

18%White

1%Asian/ Pacific Islander

6%American Indian/ Native Alaskan

11%Multiracial/Other

AVERAGE AGE:

19

56%Child welfare

35%Multiple

38%Justice

SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT2

19%Parenting

6%Immigrant or Refugee

55%Never Worked

Number of Participants Achieving Early Employment and Educational Milestones, Sept. 2016–March 2018

Sept. 2016

March 2018

March 2017

Sept. 2017

WHO: The Casey Foundation, Jobs for America’s Graduates, JFF, MDRC, School & Main Institute and 10 local partnerships in eight states.

WHAT: An initiative launched in partnership with the Social Innovation Fund to connect young people with postsecondary education and employment.

FOCUS: Young people ages 15-25 in the child welfare or justice system, or who are homeless.

WHY: Improve educational and economic opportunities and systems for youth and young adults.

Core Strategies with Local Partners

JAG ModelHigh school completion and preparation for success in school and work

JFF ModelSupport for successful transitions to college and other postsecondary training

Additional ServicesNavigational coaching, trauma-informed support and wraparound services

Youth engagement and leadership

Partnerships and collaboration

Data-driven continuous improvement

Cultivating cross-system collaboration

Increasing economic opportunities

ResultsPositive and significant education and employment outcomes for 3,000 - 5,000 youth and young adults transitioning from systems.

Evidence of successful adaptations of the models, broader adoption of trauma-informed practices and greater integration of wraparound support.

Improvements in youth-serving systems and institutional practices.

CROSS-SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS(378 TOTAL PARTNERS)

EARLY MILESTONES

EARLY SYSTEM CHANGES

FUNDING BREAKDOWN (FIRST THREE YEARS)

Other Local Organizations and Government Entities

Employers

National Match + Federal

Local Match

K-12 Schools and Districts

Postsecondary

Child Welfare and Justice Agencies

Workforce Development Organizations

Number of LEAP Partners

Number of LEAP Funders

57

71

102

61

53

34

7

55

$9 million

$5.4 millionALASKA

ARIZONA

NEW YORK

MAINE

MINNESOTA MICHIGAN

NEBRASKACALIFORNIA

For more information, contact leap@aecf.org.

Cultivated cross-system alignment to expand LEAP participants’ access to resources such as housing, child care, transportation and other supportive services.

Worked with justice-system partners to establish LEAP enrollment as an alternative to probation and confinement.

Trained partners in trauma-informed care to ensure youth gain support from caring adults in a variety of settings.

Developed early warning systems with postsecondary admissions and financial aid staff to proactively address student barriers.

Established sector-based partnerships and fast-track hiring programs with employers.

Postsecondary enrollmentEmploymentOther advanced trainingInternship or on-the-job learning HS diploma or GEDJob retentionEarned certificate or credential

0

100

200

300

400

500

46%Homeless