| In This Issue |
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 $3.6 Million Federal Grant Awarded to YPI
On February 12th, the U.S. Department of Labor awarded YPI $3.6 million in Recovery Act stimulus funds for health careers training. YPI received the only grant in Los Angeles. "It's a marvelous opportunity to match clients with high-wage employment while working with employers to build a strong career ladder for the future," said Dixon Slingerland, YPI Executive Director.
YPI will partner with the Los Angeles Unified School District, UCLA, Los Angeles Valley College, medical employers, and community agencies to train 400 low-income clients for high-demand health careers. Services provided will include bridge and occupational training with stipends for clients, certification in career tracks, and job placement services.
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 Results of LAUSD Public School Choice
As the first round of LAUSD's Public School Choice process came to a close on February 23rd, the LAUSD Board of Education approved the Superintendent's recommendation for YPI to operate the San Fernando Institute of Applied Media Pilot School on the San Fernando Middle School campus. Serving 430 students, the Pilot School will operate in close partnership with teachers and will build on YPI's expertise with technology and the Full-Service Community Schools model (see below). YPI was also recommended to partner with four new elementary schools in the San Fernando Valley to provide wrap-around services before and after school.
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 $1 Million EDD Award for Job Training
The State of California Employment Development Department (EDD) has awarded YPI $1 million to train 120 clients for health careers. Clients will receive comprehensive job training and placement as Medical Assistants, Certified Nursing Assistants, and Pharmacy Technicians. Partnering with the City of Los Angeles Community Development Department, the Los Angeles Unified School District, UCLA, YO! Valley OneSource Center, and Los Angeles Valley College, the YPI grant is part of the Governor's Discretionary Funds for Industries with a Statewide Need. |
 YPI Selected as Educational Bridge Training Provider
The City of Los Angeles Community Development Department awarded $800,000 in Recovery Act funds to YPI in February as part of the Educational Bridge Training program. YPI will prepare 200 low-income clients for health and education careers. All told, YPI has been awarded $6.8 million in workforce development funds in the last six months, which will serve 1,200 clients.
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 YPI AmeriCorps Awarded City Beautification Grant
The YPI AmeriCorps Program received a Beautification grant from the City of Los Angeles to revitalize the courtyard of New Designs Charter School. The project is a community garden with Native Californian plants to be designed and planted by students working with AmeriCorps members. "It's a great community project for students and our members," said Amy Allard, the YPI AmeriCorps Director. "Students take a leadership role in improving their school and community while AmeriCorps members work with them to maximize the impact of the project."
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 U.S. Soccer Foundation Supports YPI Afterschool
The U.S. Soccer Foundation has awarded funding to YPI Afterschool for the second straight year to expand the middle school soccer league and tournament. Sports and fitness are critical parts of YPI's afterschool programs at 56 schools in Los Angeles.
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 YPI Hollywood FamilySource Center Grand Opening
On February 11th, Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti, LAUSD Board Member Steve Zimmer, and the Los Angeles Community Development Department joined the Hollywood community in celebrating the grand opening of the YPI Hollywood FamilySource Center. Part of the flagship poverty program of the City of Los Angeles, the FamilySource Center will offer a holistic range of education and training services for families. YPI will receive $1 million annually to operate the Center.
"There is nothing more fundamental in the fight against poverty than increasing family income and academic achievement," said YPI Executive Director Dixon Slingerland. "This is why the Youth Policy Institute wholeheartedly endorses the FamilySource Center approach and is proud to be the operator of the Hollywood FSC in the historic Mayer Building."
Hollywood FamilySource Center partners include Bet Tzedek Legal Services, Hollygrove, Los Angeles Valley College, Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund, Thai Community Development Corporation, and the UCLA Community Based Learning Program.
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 Full-Service Community Schools Press Conference
On March 3rd, YPI joins Los Angeles Unified School District Board President Mónica García and California Assemblymember Kevin de Léon to highlight the $2.5 million Full-Service Community Schools program in the Pico Union community. YPI is serving four schools with this grant and is working with LAUSD to expand this model through efforts like Public School Choice.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, YPI received one of only ten awards nationwide in the initial round of funding. The Full-Service Community Schools approach has been endorsed by President Obama in his 2011 budget and as a key part of the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
"The historically underserved Belmont community is transforming itself into a portfolio of high-performing schools, and today that progress is rewarded by this grant, one of only ten awarded nationwide," said Mónica García. "This investment will enable us to weave a stronger safety net around our families with services that support student achievement. The Youth Policy Institute has shown tremendous leadership in bringing this grant to the District, and we thank them for their partnership in striving for 100% graduation for our students."
"We are excited to be a part of the Full-Service Community Schools model and know that with the YPI collaboration, Gratts and Esperanza Elementary and John Leichty Middle School students and their families will benefit greatly from our partnership," said LAUSD Superintendent Ramon C. Cortines. "This is the type of program that will help us improve student learning and success for all."
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Quick Facts
YPI has an annual budget of $34 million.
YPI operates programs at 95 sites throughout Los Angeles.
YPI has more than 1,100 staff serving communities
across the city.
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