#CVWbeInvolved
www.cedarvalleywest.org
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@CedarValleyWest
Superintendent Contact:
Jon Thompson, Aplington-Parkersburg
Larry Hunt, Dike-New Hartford
Tim Kuehl, prior Gladbrook-Reinbeck
Cassi Murra, Grundy Center
 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.
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 extraordinary career opportunities.
Map of Iowa Intermediary Network
April, 2013
Lyon
Osceola
Dickinson
Emmet
Winnebago
Worth
Mitchell
Howard
Winneshiek
Allamakee
Kossuth
Sioux
Palo
Alto
O'Brien
Clay
Cherokee
Buena
Vista
Hancock
Cerro
Gordo
Floyd
Wright
Franklin
Butler
Bremer
Hardin
Grundy
Black
Hawk
Cedar Valley West
Chickasaw
Fayette
Plymouth
Pocahontas Humboldt
Sac
Woodbury
Ida
Community Career
Connections
Monona
Webster
Calhoun
Carroll
Crawford
Greene
Hamilton
Boone
Marshall
Story
Tama
Clayton
Buchanan Delaware
Benton
Dubuque
Jones
Linn
Workplace Learning
Connection
Jackson
Clinton
Harrison
Shelby
Audubon
Cedar
Guthrie
Dallas
Polk
Jasper
Poweshiek
Iowa
Johnson
Scott
Muscatine
Student Career
Connection
Pottawattamie
Cass
Adair
Madison
Warren
Marion
Mahaska
Quad Cities Career
Connections
Keokuk Washington
Louisa
Mills
Fremont
Montgomery Adams
Page
Taylor
Union
Clarke
Ringgold
Decatur
Lucas
Wayne
Monroe
Wapello
Jefferson
Appanoose
Davis
Van Buren
Henry
Lee
Des
Moines
CONVENE
CONNECT
• COLLABORATE ACROSS
• BROKER AND PROVIDE
SECTORS
SERVICES
SUSTAIN
MEASURE
• INFLUENCE POLICY TO
• Ensure quality and
impact
SUPPORT
BEST/EFFECTIVE
PRACTICES
ENGAGED LEADERSHIP
 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
COORDINATED SERVICES
’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
MEASURABLE IMPACTS
Outcome
Combined
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 classes
67%
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%
SUPPORTIVE POLICIES
 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.