This multi-year youth development initiative networks education, youth programs, families, and business to create a holistic, integrated system of learning and supports from cradle to career so young people are “ready to learn and ready for life.” It is designed to ensure readiness at each key transition point in a young person's life. The Ready by 21 framework is employed. This design builds leadership among sectors and aligns goals, services and metrics around a shared vision and mission.

Please describe your innovation?

Since August 2011, over 25 groups have worked together on Keiki to Career to lay the foundation for a system of innovative services that fosters the academic, social, emotional and physical development of young people. Our Ready by 21 framework builds leadership and uses a “pipeline” of networked, reinforcing academic and support services to prepare young people for key transitions in their early life. The collaboration includes schools (public, private and charter), public agencies, nonprofits, families and businesses. We are aligned around common values and a shared vision and mission. Indicators are established and we are creating shared metrics. We are committed to continuously improve services based on the outcomes of these metrics so resources are used effectively. Kauai Planning & Action Alliance serves as the supporting backbone organization. Unified community engagement to support the keiki of Kauai is an innovative way to maximize progress and effectiveness.

What is the problem or situation that your innovation seeks to address?

One-third of Kauai’s 67,000 population is under the age of 25. Many young people leave high school without the skills needed to be successful in college or careers. Kauai Community College reports that, of incoming high school students tested, 81% placed below college level in math, 54% placed below in reading and 59% placed below in writing. Substance abuse, violence and other risk behaviors are sabotaging the education and development of our youth. Too many youth feel disconnected from the community and lack hope for the future. Family engagement in a child’s education and school activities diminishes dramatically after elementary school, except for sports and performances. Parents and guardians may be unclear how to participate in their child’s education or they may feel unwelcome. Keiki to Career is intended to offer a range of integrated, mutually reinforcing services and activities for young people, their families and the community to enhance the development of youth.

What effort have you made to test out your new idea?

Several factors are aligned to foster openness to change, making this the right time for our initiative: 1) growing interest statewide and on Kauai to strengthen early education; 2) innovation by Department of Education-Kauai to develop 21st century skills; 3) Safe Routes to Schools and School Garden programs focus on improving student health; 4) Kauai Community College is forging partnerships with the DOE and community to create new workforce training, and meeting with high school faculty to align curriculum; and 5) nonprofits serving children and youth recognize there are service gaps and that better coordination would improve their effectiveness. With our feasibility assessment complete, discussions are underway with local and national donors about Keiki to Career Kauai and our request for multi-year funding to ensure success. A facilitator contracted by KPAA will guide stakeholder groups to create an action plan for the next 3 years. The initiative will launch in winter 2012.

What is particularly noteworthy or novel about your innovation?

A uniquely large scale, fully integrated delivery system is being established to benefit Kauai’s young people. Relationships will be enhanced using face-to-face contact, networking, technology and a multitude of feedback loops. Top Kauai youth leaders are participating in developing innovative strategies for the infrastructure, desired outcomes, communications, program evaluation, and professional development needs. We will adapt a shared system of data reporting and case management created in other Ready by 21 communities - which will enable partnering organizations to better meet the needs of young people and their families. The Keiki to Career vision and mission succinctly describe this innovation. Our vision is an island community where Kauai’s keiki through young adults are healthy, competent, confident and caring. Our mission is to unite the community in nurturing and developing Kauai’s young people from keiki to career so they are ready to learn and ready for life.

What impact do you expect your innovation will have on the problem or situation described in the previous question?

We will be able to close the gaps in services and place a greater emphasis on accountability and results through our commitment to integrated networks and continuous improvement. By working together on shared goals with shared metrics, organizations will collaborate to better understand the needs of individual young people and how their needs can be better served. Involving families as partners in this initiative will provide a win-win by helping them to be more aware of their key role within this system of services. This integrated approach will also help the schools and service providers be more aware of the perspectives of families and the challenges some face. Employers will benefit from young employees who are work-ready. The primary beneficiary will be young people who will have a greatly improved support system to help them rise to their potential and achieve a bright future for themselves. This is a bold initiative and Kauai is ready to take it on.

What other community partners will you need if your innovation is to scale beyond your organization?

Many community partners are already actively participating, including Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii, Child & Family Service, Hawaii Dept. of Health, Garden Island RC&D, Get Fit Kauai Coalition, Good Beginnings Alliance, Hale Opio Kauai, Dept. of Education-Kauai Complex Area, Kauai Community College, Kauai County Council Services Division, Kauai United Way, KIDS School, Kupu Ae/Kauai Team Challenge, Leadership Kauai, Parenting Central Kauai and People Attentive to Children. Kauai’s Board of Education member also participates, along with two business representatives. We have created a plan for engaging parents and youth in a discussion of the initiative. Through this, we will identify additional champions. We have created an inventory of organizations serving children, youth and families and we will use this to inform and involve additional groups. We also plan to expand involvement of the business and faith-based community by drawing on their employee and congregation networks.

Why are your organization, partners, and key personnel suited to take on this project?

Kauai Planning & Action Alliance has convened large scale cross-sector collaborations since 2003, and its staff has extensive facilitation and program development experience. The DOE-Kauai and the County of Kauai demonstrated the importance of the Keiki to Career initiative to our island by providing financial support to KPAA to facilitate the feasibility assessment. Another donor is stepping forward to fund the action planning phase. This has been a truly collaborative process. All levels of education and many service providers are represented. Educators, service providers and community members have created the framework and guiding principles of this initiative. Those involved are committed to innovation and see that this not only furthers the work that they do but also it establishes an improved system of services that offer young people the support needed to enhance their well-being and academic progress. The result will be young people on Kauai “Ready to Learn, Ready for Life.”