Work Smarter
Want to bring precision to your passion?
We all want to ensure that every child is ready for college, work and life. The challenge is not a lack of energy or commitment. The challenge is fragmentation: too many disconnected plans, programs and policies that don’t add up to a comprehensive solution—to collective impact.Our managing partner, the Forum for Youth Investment has strategies to help leaders work smarter so that they can achieve their goals. Bringing you the ideas, inspiration and tools you need to work smarter is a part of that plan.
Ready to learn how? Check out our video on how to work smarter.
Are You a Ready Leader?
Leaders are individuals at all levels who have the energy, motivation and capacity to act. No matter what your role, you can be a stronger leader and advocate for children and youth.
Imagine & Use Data
Imagine isn’t a word usually associated with data—but the best way to use data effectively is to take the time to ask, "What do we really need to know to manage our work better?" and then imagine the answer. What data? When? Presented how?
Ready by 21
Improve Quality
Services and programs must do more than be there, they must be high-quality—providing appropriate content in appropriate contexts. Poor quality opportunities for kids can actually be worse than no services at all. Quality is key if you want positive outcomes, high participation, staff satisfaction and effectiveness.
Engage Youth & Families
Far too often, we create solutions without involving those who are supposed to benefit. Whether you’re creating a plan, assessing your program or trying to increase your outreach or your staffing, engaging youth and families is an effective way to be sure that your efforts pay off.
Build Partnerships
When a crisis happens—an outbreak of gang violence, a rise in the dropout rate—the response is often to create a new program or task force, even when effective responses already exist. Consider how much more effective the work can be if it's based on long-term, inclusive partnerships that connect policymakers, leaders, community members and young people and link existing efforts in a true, sustainable collaboration.
