2017 Workforce Development Forum Call for Workshops

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) invites workshop proposal submissions for its 2017 Workforce Development Forum: Nuestro Futuro: Increasing Investment in Opportunity Youth. Over the years, the NCLR Workforce Development Forum has offered a unique platform for stakeholders from the local, state, and national levels to come together to discuss issues that affect the immigrant workforce. This year, one of the prominent themes will be addressing the needs of America’s future workforce: our young adults—especially disconnected and opportunity youth. The Forum will also provide an opportunity for thought leaders from across the business, government, and nonprofit sectors to network with and learn from each other, so that we can continue strengthening our education and workforce systems, and ensure that opportunities exist for all to fulfill their American Dream. Workshop Categories Based on past NCLR workshop evaluations as well as feedback from national partners and the NCLR Workforce Development Advisory Council, NCLR has identified the following workshop tracks for the 2017 Forum. Organizations are encouraged to present workshops in one of the categories listed below. NCLR is interested in workshops that are fun, innovative, and focus on replicability. If your idea does not fit into one of the categories, please mention it in your application. Career PathwaysImmigrant-serving organizations are exploring innovative new models to provide services to their clients, including blended learning, contextualized or vocational ESL, and programs that offer stackable credentials as a pathway to middle-skills jobs. Workshops in the track will showcase successful program models that advance education and training, and help Latinos transition into meaningful careers. Innovative Employment Opportunities Entrepreneurship, apprenticeship, small-business development, on-the-job training, worker cooperatives, transitional employment, and internships are all nontraditional avenues that support job creation and contributions to the U.S. economy. Workshops in this track will help the audience understand how they can create programs that are alternative to the traditional career-pathways model.

Integrated Service Delivery Many immigrant youth and their families are faced with addressing multiple barriers to success in the workplace. Organizations that provide a range of services under one roof, either through a two-generational approach or an otherwise integrated manner, can better meet the holistic needs of their clients and their families. Workshops in this track will exemplify service integration models that simplify and facilitate client access to benefits and services, such as: child care, housing, transportation, mental and behavioral health services, and legal services. Workforce Programs and Policy Solutions Workforce development encompasses numerous programs and funding streams guided by a wide range of local, state, and federal agencies and policies. Workshops in this track will share creative policy solutions addressing system fragmentation, improving employer engagement, and closing gaps in services for opportunity youth and Latino workers, including individuals reentering the economy, and youth aging out of the foster care system. Sustaining Success Raising sustainable funding to expand and replicate programs can often feel like an insurmountable challenge. Workshops in this track will focus on strategies to expand and replicate programs and highlight ways to leverage or blend funding that supports successful workforce development programs across the nation. About Conference Workshops

• Each workshop has space for 40–50 participants. • Workshops will be 75 minutes in length. • We encourage workshop presenters to collaborate with partners and peer organizations

in their proposals. • Forum attendees range from frontline staff (case managers, job developers) to

management staff (project managers/directors). All workshops should be geared toward both audience groups.

Room Setup and Audiovisual Equipment Requests Accepted workshops will receive the following:

• Lecture or theatre room setup • One head table with four chairs and two tabletop microphones • One LCD projector on a skirted cart (does not include laptop or computer) • One screen • Standard workshop signage

Please note that workshop presenters will be responsible for bringing their own laptops, if needed.

Any resets, changes, or additions to workshop space and standard audiovisual package will incur additional charges. Miscellaneous charges may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Internet access • Room resets • Additional tables for materials • Riser for head table • Pipe and drape to hang banners or other promotional signs • Additional audiovisual that does not fall under the standard package (please outline

any additional equipment you may need below) • Food and beverage

The individual or group occupying the space and designated as the main contact is responsible for payment of audiovisual, food and beverage, and all incidental expenses that occur onsite during the workshop. 2017 NCLR Workforce Development Forum Workshop Proposal Instructions Please submit workshop proposals to Surabhi Jain at wfdforum@nclr.org by February 15, 2017. Please include “WFD Forum Workshop Proposal” in the subject line. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by March 20, 2017 and must register for the Forum by April 30 in order to proceed with their workshops. Workshop Title:

Presenter I: Name Title Organization City, State ZIP Email Address Phone

Presenter II: Name Title Organization City, State ZIP Email Address Phone Presenter III: Name Title Organization City, State ZIP Email Address Phone

Additional presenters: Name Title Organization City, State ZIP Email Address Phone Workshop Track(s)

£ Career Pathways £ Innovative Employment Opportunities £ Integrated Service Delivery £ Workforce Program and Policy Solutions £ Sustaining Success

Workshop Summary (75 words or fewer to be used in the program book) Workshop Description In two pages or fewer, briefly describe your workshop submission, making sure to address the following questions:

• What is the main goal and message of the workshop? • Does your workshop highlight a program or practice that can be replicated or have

implications for policy change? • At the end of the session, what tools will participants walk away with (e.g., new skills,

resources, information, handouts)? • Does your workshop offer strategies to engage workshop participants beyond this

session? • Is your workshop geared toward program directors or implementers?