Georgetown Divide, CA: Building a Broad Partnership to Improve Results

“At first our response to the Ready by 21 Challenge was, ‘build the broader capacity of the community?’ Given our rural community, an initial scan yielded few partners. But broadening our thinking about who the stakeholders are made us realize we have all the horsepower we need.”

— Rob Schamberg, Superintendent, (2000 - 2004), Black Oak Mine USD

“All students will be healthy, responsible, productive citizens, skilled workers, lifelong learners, and contributors to their local and world communities.” In 2005, Black Oak Mine Unified School District leaders saw that they were falling short of their stated goal.

Youth in this rural mountainous area near Sacramento seemed to be doing well. Yet, close examination and youth surveys uncovered a lack of after school opportunities for middle and high school youth, unacceptable rates of teen use of drugs and alcohol, and academic potential which was not being reached. The close look provided warning signs that youth didn’t see a bright future on the Georgetown Divide. It was time for action.

School leaders knew making improvements required commitment. Not just from the schools. From all organizations focused on youth in the community. And not just one time. The future for the Georgetown Divide’s youth depended on engaging a wide range of community leaders in a sustainable way.

Setting the Table for Collaboration
Federal funding under the Safe Schools/Healthy Students grant program allowed the Black Oak Mine Unified School District to host a community convening in April 2006. The Forum for Youth Investment facilitated the event using Ready by 21 tools and strategies.

Over 100 community members assembled representing the schools, communitybased service providers, churches, social service agencies, local business owners, parents, community leaders and youth. This group explored how they were fulfilling their commitment to children and youth. The session generated energy and a desire to do things differently.

Sustaining Buy-In
Converting community energy and ideas to long-term engagement and commitment requires structure and a framework. The group, to make progress towards impact, formed the Georgetown Divide Ready by 21 Coalition. The group, with over 100 active members, formed work groups to focus on the needs of different age groups. A core team shared information and resources, and worked to make sure crosscutting issues (transportation, safety) were addressed by all groups.

Improving Quality in School and out
Children don’t grow up in a program or a classroom. They grow up in families and communities. Across the work groups, improving all the settings where youth spend their time emerged as a key theme. The Coalition determined to use the principles of positive youth development (PYD), advised by the Forum for Youth Investment, to accomplish this task. Promoting positive relationships, emphasizing youth strengths and empowering youth to assume leadership roles exemplify these principles.

The Georgetown Divide participated in the Ready by 21 Quality Counts Challenge, an initiative to guide communities to implement PYD principles in afterschool programs. The Challenge helped the Coalition assess current capacity, introduce a strategy for improving programs and workforce skills and increase understanding of the afterschool sector.

Lessons learned through the Challenge spread to the classroom. Teachers encourage youth participation and leadership. Schools partner with parents and the community to foster supportive relationships and engagement.

The Coalition partnered with the Youth Development Network to expand the already rich menu of professional development opportunities promoting common language, norms and research-based practices across all the settings where youth spend time. Parents, teachers, principals, youth workers, and others involved (storekeepers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, etc.) use the ideas when they work with youth.

Efforts Bear Fruit
Several California Distinguished School recognitions, a Federal Title I Academic Achievement Award, the California Exemplary Career Technical Education Award and three America’s Promise Alliance 100 Best Communities for Young People nods demonstrate the regional and national attention the Georgetown Divide receives for its efforts to bring the whole community together to make a difference for kids.

Debbi Herr, the District’s Director of School Health and Safety, stated “The partnerships that have flowed from that first meeting have been creative and broad. The resources we bring in are not just for the schools; they are for children and families. And other sectors are bringing in matching funds—it has truly been amazing.”

Partners