“Road Map to Innovation: A Collective Impact Conversation,” the second in a planned series of Santa Monica Cradle to Career Initiative events, will be held at Virginia Avenue Park’s Thelma Terry Center today, May 24 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The event includes presentations and community dialogue on the development of an important segment of the cradle to career system – sustainable and innovative early childhood and out-of-school programming.
The Cradle to Career Initiative is a collaborative effort of the City of Santa Monica, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, Santa Monica College and key community partners to support a birth to career “safety net” to propel all young children and youth toward a lifetime of health and success.
The currently fragmented system of what is traditionally viewed as “child care” is facing significant state budget cuts and rising program costs.
By using a collective impact approach, the City and the SMMUSD are taking this opportunity to work with stakeholders to create early childhood and out-of-school programs that are sustainable over the long haul and uniformly innovative.
Sandy Lyon, Superintendent of Santa Monica–Malibu Unified School District will briefly address current challenges and ask stakeholders to help re-imagine early learning and out-of-school opportunities for our youngest children and school-aged youth.
RAND Corporation’s Megan Beckett, Ph.D., nationally recognized expert and researcher in out-of-school programming and learning initiatives, will present on what it takes to create innovative out-of-school programming and Jonathan Mooney, a collective impact expert and consultant to the Santa Monica Cradle to Career Initiative, will facilitate the dialogue.
For more information about the Cradle-to-Career Initiative please contact Julie Rusk, Assistant Director of Community and Cultural Services, City of Santa Monica at: 310.458.8701 or julie.rusk@smgov.net, and visit www.santamonicayouth.net.
