Catalyst CT is utilizing planning grant funds to study the viability of an AmeriCorps initiative that takes place in Connecticut public high schools and utilizes service-learning as a response to adolescent mental illness and social disconnectedness.

PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION SUMMARY:

Catalyst CT proposes to utilize planning grant funds to study the viability of an AmeriCorps initiative that takes place in Connecticut public high schools and utilizes service-learning as a response to adolescent mental illness and social disconnectedness. The organization plans to utilize the evidence based, SAMHSA created, Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) in the planning process that will engage high school faculty, staff, and students in the creation of a potential national service program. The SPF, although created to address substance use among youth, is an excellent planning tool that engages individuals in addressing the questions of assessment, capacity, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Using the steps of the SPF in tandem with the National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC) K-12 Service- Learning. Standards for Quality Practice, Catalyst CT intends to build a program that will engage high school seniors as AmeriCorps members who will engage their fellow students, and surrounding community, in meaningful civic engagement and capacity building services. Currently, the Fairfield and Hamden public school systems are interested in exploring the possibility of an AmeriCorps program taking place in their schools. Catalyst CT plans to create a committee consisting of representatives from both town's school systems, students, youth-serving agencies, and Catalyst CT program managers.

The Connecticut RISE Network will use the 2024-2025 Serve Connecticut planning grant to reimagine and rescale a proven concept, and reposition current On-Track Coaches as supervisors for a new On-Track Mentor Corps of AmeriCorps members. And by launching an On-Track Mentor Corps that targets recent higher education graduates, RISE is excited by the unique opportunity to help build the human capital pipeline for the education field. By creating more on-ramps for recent graduates to enter the youth development and education fields, and by designing a role that has direct coaching and training from experienced coaches, RISE sees an avenue to bring a successful intervention strategy grounded in human capital to more schools and districts throughout the state.