Kansas
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History
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Networks of Support
Each Learn and Serve funded program is supported by a Youth Advisory Board. A board in Ottawa, Kansas led efforts to design and build a skate park in their community. The Kansas Volunteer Commission is currently seeking alternative funding to support Youth Advisory Boards, formerly funded by Learn and Serve community-based grants.
In 2005 the Kansas Volunteer Commission, which houses the state’s Learn and Serve program, partnered with Kids Voting Kansas and Kansas Campus Compact to sponsor the Kansas Youth in Government program. This program helps young people become active and informed citizens by (1) educating them about state government and the legislative process; (2) providing them with simulated experiences working in state government; (3) providing opportunities for them to think critically and independently about state policy; (4) providing an understanding of the Kansas electoral process; and (5) enhancing the leadership skills of participants. The program, first used by civics teachers across the state, has expanded beyond the classroom. Many teachers and leaders now require their students to participate in their local city councils. Local districts are funding the program while seeking alternative funding, after the loss of Learn and Serve community-based funds that the state no longer receives.
Improving Sustainability
Increased community involvement in Learn and Serve Kansas programs has helped establish programs and has made strides toward increased program sustainability. In small communities, school districts and community education programs often share office space, equipment, and staff, enabling sharing the expenses of operating and growing all programs.
Local programs used modest funds from Learn and Serve America as a catalyst to generate further funding and more extensive partnership arrangements with agencies that share similar goals. These agencies have been instrumental in providing low-cost professional development and support to service-learning staff and have helped them identify additional funding sources and grants. The added value and leverage of funds allows programs to expand on-going projects and introduce new projects with new learning opportunities.
Convening and Celebrating
Learn and Serve grantees and alumni participate in an annual conference including other programs of the Corporation for National and Community Service. The event draws approximately 250 participants each year including young people who are currently participating in Learn and Serve funded programs.
Policy Support
In 2003 the state required that the Department of Education provide guidelines for the implementation of community service opportunities in every high school. The purpose of the guidelines is to assist high school principals and advisors of student organizations in providing students with service opportunities. The guidelines detail specific ways schools can use service to help students connect to their communities, explore possible careers, and further develop academic, problem-solving, civic, leadership, and social skills.
Learn and Serve
The strength of the Learn and Serve Kansas program stems from its efforts to bring subgrantees together with other local service and volunteer programs that share a common interest in meeting authentic community needs. All Learn and Serve subgrantees are required to establish Local Partnership Councils including students, teachers, parents, community business leaders, and other community stakeholders. Through these partnerships, program allies help initiate collaborative events with local businesses, organizations, government officials, and faith communities around the shared goals and needs of the community.
Youth Contributions
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Kansas promotes youth leadership in both theory and practice. In addition to youths serving on the committee to create service-learning guidelines for high schools, the state provides trainings on youth leadership, and opportunities for youths to help plan conferences and serve on grant review panels. The Kansas Unified State Plan for 2002-2005 focuses on increasing and improving service and volunteering among all people. The plan stresses the importance of working with diverse populations and constituents, and specifically mentions a focus on strategies, which are not only for youths, but “by youths.”
Examples of Quality Service-Learning
References
- Cairn, Rich, Henning, Anna, and Neal, Marybeth. 2005. "State Profiles" in Growing to Greatness 2005. St. Paul: National Youth Leadership Council.
- Schultz, Nate. 2008. "State Profiles" in Growing to Greatness 2008. St. Paul: National Youth Leadership Council.
External Links
- Learn and Serve America in Kansas
- National Service in Kansas (Corporation for National and Community Service)
- Learn and Serve Kansas
- Kansas Volunteer Commission
- Kansas Campus Compact
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