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Initiatives
Ready by 21 has been introduced to many communities through a series of initiatives and challenges, detailed below.
The Credentialed by 26 Challenge (March-October, 2011) helps selected communities increase supports for older youth – with an emphasis on helping more low-income, minority and first-generation college-goers obtain postsecondary credentials with labor market value.
Since 1998, the Forum for Youth Investment has worked with state policy makers to coordinate and align their state’s efforts to improve outcomes for children and youth. In 2010, among the twenty state policy coordinating bodies that belong to the Forum’s Children’s Cabinet Network, thirteen were facing a definite or potential gubernatorial transition. In response, the Forum created a Ready by 21 mini-challenge called Keep the Connections. The Keep the Connections project was designed to guarantee that the work of these crucial big-picture coordinating bodies is not only maintained, but strengthened under their next administration.
The Quality Counts Initiative (2007-2009) helped communities and states improve the quality and reach of their youth services by providing them with tools and resources for planning.
The Quality Improvement and Asset-Building Challenge (2010-2011) helps communities get their out-of-school time services in line with the needs of the young people they serve.
The Southeast Cities Challenge (2009-present) helps selected communities in this region develop the core leadership capacities that are critical to improving outcomes for all children and youth, from birth to career.
In the Virginia Cities Challenge (VCC) five Virginia cities were selected by America's Promise Alliance, the National League of Cities and the Virginia Municipal League to receive customized Ready by 21 training and consultation.