When we posed this thought-provoking question to our team at Development Without Limits, it set the stage for an active discussion about truly innovative solutions within our sector. 

This potential investment allowed our team to dream big. Rather than focusing on curriculum and instructional materials or even online courses, we honed in on supporting and skilling people– leaders and essential advisors in our field. Why?

There’s so much stuff available– “free” guides, plans, templates, tools. But, not enough help on for the humans doing the work. Based on interviews in the field, we’ve heard things like this from state and affiliate leaders in the youth development/education/nonprofit sector:

“I have not received any support since taking on this role, no transfer of knowledge from prior staff, no onboarding, one is expected to pick up where a previous staff member left off and expected to do the work but how can you figure this all out without support?” 

and

“No one helps me, because of so many administrative changes there is not a bench of people with experience who can support besides our program officer. I feel like I'm always alone. I work on the edge of the seat all day long trying to meet timelines, grants, paperwork.”

How can leaders show up with their teams and in turn, how can staff show up with young people when strong supports are not in place at every level? 

If we had $5 million, here’s how we’d invest it to move forward our shared purpose of youth enjoying healthy, happy, successful lives: 

1. Coach on Call. While systems leaders are likely to access help about budget management or change management, one-size-fits-all training or professional development does not support individual contexts and relationships. We have found that systems leaders need supporters–beyond their spouses, partners or friend groups–who can be sounding boards, advisors and confidantes. People who have been around the block, know the scene and can offer the direct route to results.

Our focus is on proactive solutions, not corrective action. Voluntary, not required. With a coach-on-call model, every youth-focused system leader could access call-as-you-need experts for real time advice. I mean, really, wouldn’t you love to just pick up the phone and get the advice of greats in the field?

2. Leadership Groups. Moving beyond the call when you need help, leadership groups offer ongoing communities of practice, deep learning, peer social and emotional support through a trauma-informed, facilitated structure. Leadership cohorts are DWL’s sweet spot. This is work we LOVE doing–why? Time and time again, our clients walk away with more connection, skills and confidence. They say things like: 

How great would it be if leaders across organizations, states, initiatives and funding sources could come together and learn how to prioritize themselves, become grounded and also expansive in their vision, mindsets, approaches and actions? With facilitated cohorts, leaders re-learn how to trust and value themselves--their own felt sense of knowing, their own experience. And then they show staff how to trust themselves. And staff show young people. 💥💥💥

3. Consultant Network. Often consulting firms or individuals are brought in to support organizations. Consultants operate independently from each other and are typically not coordinated much less in communication with each other, and may lack aligned vision. Issues arise as organizations hire multiple consultants, all of whom are experts and wonderful in their own rights, but may offer contradictory advice or inadvertently erode previous progress made through other consultants. 

Establishing a consultant network allows the opportunity for consultants to dialogue, collaborate, cross-share and support organizations and programs toward our shared purpose. Here’s the big picture vision of a networked approach toward impact–that includes intentionally bringing consultants into the conversation and strategy to advance the field’s goal. We’re rolling out a consultant and technical assistance provider network right now to get this party started…but whew–funding would make it a lot more fun!

Yep, that’s our vision. If you want to see the full fledged plan and budget just give me a shout. This has definitely gone beyond the dream stage. 😂🔥🚀 

This article was inspired by Marzano Research’s recent post about investing in rural education.

Now, I’m curious, what would YOU do with $5 million to invest in youth development?