YEO Policy Books 2014 Policy Book | Page 79

Cradle-to-Career Initiative Issue: Empowering & Educating Communities Target Level of Office: Local Policy Origin: Community & Cultural Services Department’s Santa Monica Cradle To Career Initiative, California Link: www.YEONetwork.org/2013policy/?i=248 Summary Narrative of the Policy: This is a report from the City of Santa Monica’s Cradle-ToCareer Initiative detailing findings from the past year on Santa Monica’s youth’s (0-24) wellbeing and success. Born from a broader call-to-action following gun violence and teen suicide rates in the city, the city’s Cradle-To-Career Initiative is a public-private partnership of the City of Santa Monica, SMMUSD, and various community stakeholders and businesses dedicated to promoting the learning and school achievement, physical health and development, social skills and confidence, and mental health of Santa Monica’s youth and young adults. Relevant Talking Points & Important Information: • The Cradle-to-Career Initiative (CCI) strives to support the success of every child from cradle to career, specifically children in long struggling neighborhoods, communities, and regions. • CCIs hone in on uplifting and serving our nation’s most vulnerable communities by: ensuring that children are healthy physically and mentally; increasing the learning opportunities and academic achievement of all pupils, in particular those in high poverty neighborhoods; strengthening family structures; establishing safe neighborhoods; and expanding college and career opportunities. • The vision behind CCI requires seeing education as a journey th ][