The Challenge
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Arizona was home to considerable inequity in access to education and workforce opportunities for youth. In December 2019, 11.9% of youth ages 16-24 were disconnected from work and school in the Greater Phoenix Metro Area (GPMA). By May 2020, that figure had jumped to 25.6% or 144,551 youth. The GPMA currently has numerous rural and urban “opportunity deserts,” where already high youth disconnection rates and longer durations of learning remotely combined to create areas of profound educational need.
The Solution
OFY is creating a comprehensive system of connections that empower and reengage Maricopa County’s opportunity youth for success in education, career and life by:
maintaining a system of 18 Reengagement Centers providing quality reengagement services to OY across the county
working with education partners to reduce barriers to reenrollment, high school diplomas, postsecondary degrees, and workplace learning
supporting employers to effectively recruit, hire, and retain OY in well-paying jobs
raising awareness and building public support of programs that help OY reengage in school and/or work
ensuring OY and their unique needs are considered in education and workforce development planning
supporting a system of collaboration and alignment to avoid duplication and effectively serve as many OY as possible