1. #CVWbeInvolved www.cedarvalleywest.org Facebook @CedarValleyWest

2. Superintendent Contact: Jon Thompson, Aplington-Parkersburg Larry Hunt, Dike-New Hartford Tim Kuehl, prior Gladbrook-Reinbeck Cassi Murra, Grundy Center

3.  Began Think Tank in January 2011 & Consortium in spring 2012.  Association for career education and economic development between a region.  Forward-Thinking Superintendents  Aplington-Parkersburg CSD  Dike-New Hartford CSD  Gladbrook-Reinbeck CSD  Grundy Center CSD  “Hollowing Out the Middle” by Carr and Kefalas  What are we doing to make career and community connections with our students?  Funded 100% by the four public schools.  Staff of one.

4. Connecting students to career opportunities which allow them to make informed educational and career decisions Promoting our region as viable communities who are providing an outstanding quality of life with extra- ordinary career opportunities.

5. Sac Ida Woodbury Webster Palo Alto Louisa Des Moines Muscatine Fremont Monona Lee Black Hawk Pocahontas Buena Vista Humboldt Cherokee Hancock Cerro Gordo Allamakee Winneshiek Howard Keokuk Buchanan Pottawattamie Clayton Dubuque Jackson OsceolaEmmet Kossuth Dickinson Lyon Mitchell WinnebagoWorth SiouxO'BrienClay ChickasawFloyd Fayette PlymouthWrightFranklin Butler Bremer Delaware CalhounHamilton HardinGrundy Benton Linn Tama Jones Crawford CarrollBoone Marshall GreeneStory Clinton Cedar Harrison Dallas PolkShelby Audubon Jasper Guthrie PoweshiekIowaJohnson Scott Madison WarrenWashingtonMahaska Marion CassAdair Jefferson Henry Wapello ClarkeLucas MonroeMillsMontgomery AdamsUnion Page Van Buren Taylor Davis RinggoldDecatur Appanoose Wayne Map of Iowa Intermediary Network April, 2013 Quad Cities Career Connections Cedar Valley West Workplace Learning Connection Student Career Connection Community Career Connections

6. C ONVENE C OLLABORATE ACROSS SECTORS C ONNECT B ROKER AND PROVIDE SERVICES S USTAIN I NFLUENCE POLICY TO SUPPORT BEST / EFFECTIVE PRACTICES M EASURE Ensure quality and impact

7.  Local Schools:  Administration, Counselors, Educators, Students and Parents  Career and Technical Advisory Groups, Professional Learning Communities  Higher Education Partners:  Hawkeye Community College and University of Northern Iowa  Business and Industry  Supported by over 100+ businesses  Local, County and Regional Resources  Economic Development, Workforce Development, Extension Offices, etc.  Community Service Organizations  Marketing for Businesses  Share our successes and program  Model for public schools in the State of Iowa, presenters, collaborators and social media users ENGAGED LEADERSHIP

8. ’12-’13 School Programming (8th-12th) Job Shadows (183) Internships (42) Worksite Tours (179) Career Speakers (155) Mock Interviews/Workplace Readiness Prep Classes (14) Behind-the-College-Scene (137) Project Lead the Way Activities (36) HS Graduate Student Services (6) Teacher Professional Development (13) & Community Outreach Career Exploration, On-site Worksite Tours, Teacher Interns Teacher Professional Development- Program Alignment Community Connection Meetings COORDINATED SERVICES

9. OutcomeCombined Program Results Built awareness of career opportunities in their community and region 97% Positively influenced decision to LIVE and/or work in the CVW area 85% Impacted choice of high school classes67% Influenced decisions related to college, courses, and majors 88% Importance of making career connections through CVW programming 100% Provided valuable career information regarding their interests 82% Made a connection between employability skills and qualities needed for today’s working world 85% MEASURABLE IMPACTS

10.  Focus on positive professional relationships  ONE connection between businesses and schools providing age-appropriate and engaging programming.  Funding: split equally  Five-year commitment from schools; in it for the long run.  Staff of one.  Intermediary funding is crucial for expansion of services  Meet with Iowa Intermediaries, committees and IA Legislators on topics of: funding, policies, providing high-quality career programming to all students  Tailor our program to meet each school district’s goals.  Let the Director guide the program. Hiring the right people. SUPPORTIVE POLICIES