U.S. Department of Education to Host Strengthening Whole Child Communities Event in Detroit, Michigan to Enhance Education from Cradle to Career

On Friday, August 1 and Saturday, August 2, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) will organize the Strengthening Whole Child Communities: Raising the Bar from Cradle to Career Summit in Detroit, Michigan. The summit aims to bring together policymakers, practitioners, advocates, philanthropy leaders, youth, and community-based organizations to emphasize the significance of public education in fostering opportunity and socioeconomic mobility for children and youth from low-income backgrounds, along with their families. Speakers and panelists will showcase instances of effective collaboration between schools and communities to enhance prenatal-to-career pathways for students and families, as well as support place-based initiatives. The Strengthening Whole Child Communities Summit is conducted in collaboration with the Ballmer Group, Kresge Foundation, Raikes Foundation, and the Stuart Foundation.

During the Summit, White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten will deliver keynote speeches. The initial sessions of each day are open to the press, with media availability with speakers scheduled after the opening session concludes.

Members of the press interested in attending are advised to RSVP to pressRSVP@ed.gov.

Day 1 Opening Session

WHO:
White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden
U.S. Department of Education Assistant Secretary of the Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development Roberto Rodriguez

WHEN:
Thursday, August 1, 2024
9:15 – 10 a.m. ET

WHERE:
Marygrove Conservancy
8425 West McNichols Road
Detroit, Michigan

Day 2 Opening Session

WHO:
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten

WHEN:
Friday, August 2, 2024
9:30 – 10:15 a.m. ET

WHERE:
Marygrove Conservancy
8425 West McNichols Road
Detroit, Michigan

As part of the Department’s dedication to enhancing learning environments and addressing opportunity inequities, the summit will showcase funding opportunities through the Department’s Promise Neighborhoods grants program. The Promise Neighborhoods Program aims to enhance academic, developmental, and other outcomes for children and youth residing in impoverished communities, offering services to support students from early childhood through their K-12 education. The FY2024 grant competition focuses on early implementation to bolster community capacity in establishing enduring place-based partnerships and comprehensive support from cradle to career, while also encouraging involvement of young people in grant planning and execution. This year, the competition features 3 competitive priorities and 1 invitational priority. The 3 competitive preference priorities encompass: 1) new applicants, 2) bolstering cross-agency collaboration for system change to address community violence prevention, and 3) promoting equity in student access to educational resources and opportunities. The invitational priority aims to prompt applicants to enhance regular student attendance and engagement and reduce chronic absenteeism through evidence-based methods.

The summit will also highlight federal Full-Service Community School (FSCS) grantees who have established supportive and enriching learning environments for all students, particularly those facing significant challenges. Specifically, FSCS grantees will discuss their success in forming sustainable partnerships to deliver essential services for learning support and student engagement, including nutrition services, dental, vision, and mental health assistance. FSCS Project Directors will offer insights on how other states, districts, and schools can engage with local educational agencies, higher education institutions, community-based organizations, and nonprofits to create effective learning and support systems.