Issue Briefs

Issue briefs present information on topics relevant to intermediaries. They provide introductions for project sites and others on important issues relevant to sustaining their efforts to connect workplaces and other community resources to improve young people's academic and career-related learning experiences.

Data and Evidence gathering: Strategies and Challenges (2002)
Local intermediaries perform key connecting and brokering functions, linking schools, employers, and young people. How does such an organization measure its effectiveness and use data and evidence in support of intermediary activities and initiatives?
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After the Sunset: Sustaining School-to-Work Intermediary Activity (2002)
Jobs for the Future asked Intermediary Network members how they were faring at the twilight of the federal investment and explored whether and how the sunset of the national legislation affected the operations of their organizations. This Issue Brief provides characterizes strategies of Network members to respond to the changing fiscal and policy context.
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Accomplishments, 1999-2001
Accomplishments, 1999-2001 documents three years of progress through the School-to-Work Intermediary Project and the Intermediary Network--50 organizations that link schools, employers, and other community resources. These diverse organizations are committed to sustaining and increasing their roles in helping schools, workplace partners, and other community resources collaborate more effectively for the long-term learning and career benefits of local youth.
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Youth Councils and Comprehensive Youth Planning (2001)
This issue brief examines the potential of the Youth Councils created under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to take on a more comprehensive mission: to become proponents of and planners for coordinated youth services and to advocate for improved outcomes for in-school and out-of-school youth, whether a person qualifies for services under WIA or not.
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Finding Common Ground: Local Intermediaries and National Industry Associations (2001)
Local school-to-work intermediaries and national industry associations share a goal: to organize employers in order to improve learning and career opportunities for young people. With this common purpose, the two types of organizations have a great deal to offer one another. This Issue Brief looks at how they can better achieve their potential for mutual benefits - and the obstacles they face to working together more closely. Click here to download this Issue Brief.

School-to-Work Opportunities for All Youth--Intermediary Organizations and Expanding Options (2000)
The School To Work Opportunities Act of 1994 requires that all young people have equal opportunities to participate in the activities it funds. This Issue Brief addresses the potential of intermediary organizations to create, enhance, and support connections among schools, employers, and other community partners to achieve that goal.
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State Strategies for Sustaining School-to-Work (2000)
Venture capital under the School To Work Opportunities Act of 1994 has promoted significant state and local innovation. This School-to-Work Intermediary Project Issue Brief highlights state strategies for sustaining these initiatives after federal resources under the act are no longer available.
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School-to-Work Partnerships and Youth Councils (1999)
As a result of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998, new local institutions -- Youth Councils -- will plan, coordinate, and oversee youth programs and services funded under the legislation. How should school-to-work partnerships and Youth Councils relate to one another? This brief assesses their varied options and opportunities and describes strategies that three local school-to-work partnerships are pursuing to work and coordinate with their local Youth Councils.
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