Our Time Our Voice

Long Beach, CA 

CWA’s Youth Conference brings together practitioners and policy makers involved in youth employment, training and education programs. This year’s conference theme, Our Time Our Voice, reflects our commitment to refocus, redesign and reenergize California’s youth programs, especially for out of school youth and youth most impacted by the current economy. Sessions will harness the energy, imagination and initiative of youth and staff that work at all levels within our youth employment and education system. Embedded in this theme is our belief that this must include the youth voice.

Conference sessions will feature great examples of policies, programs and practices in the youth employment field, dropout recovery programs, entrepreneurial initiatives, and programs targeted on youth with special needs. Special attention will be given to both public and private funding resources and opportunities that support this important work. Additionally, we will offer basic sessions for new staff covering WIA planning and program operations, youth performance standards, program design, and other federal and state compliance issues connected to youth program administration and implementation.

The Conference is designed to provide specific skill building and professional development opportunities that will enable you to go back and better reach and impact the youth in your communities. We will also create a platform for youth employment that can be used to advocate for youth as part of the economic recovery process.

Come and be a part of this dynamic and energizing gathering that will exemplify how we can work together to better prepare youth for work and provide them the skills and experience they need to succeed in the workplace.