New Directions for Youth Justice
Join Wyoming Public Radio’s Tennessee Watson and panelists as they discuss strategies to support at-risk kids in rural contexts. Panelists will look at the barriers to change, as well as solutions already underway across the state and the nation.
Wyoming Youth Voices
Perspectives from Wyoming’s most important natural resource.
Join Governor Mark Gordon as he welcomes a panel of young people from across Wyoming to answer the question: “What do you hope for your community in 2030 and what do you think young people need today to get there?”
This event is the last of the four-part series of inaugural virtual events hosted by Wyoming2030 and the first of what we hope will be a number of discussions that continue to engage young people and a broad array of citizens in helping to discuss Wyoming and its future.
This discussion will be moderated by Kamila Kudelska from Wyoming Public Media. Each young person will have the opportunity to make a statement and then Ms. Kudelska will moderate a discussion.
The Future Starts Now
The opportunity of adolescence and attainment.
As early as the 1950’s scientists began to understand that there are times during a young person’s life that are particularly important—times described as sensitive periods.
Until recently, sensitive periods were thought to only take place in early development from pre-birth through about three years of age. We now know that just as we might consider the first few years of life to be an important sensitive period, so too is adolescence.
Development continues to take place long after early childhood. A second important sensitive period begins at the onset of puberty and continues well into what most people would consider adulthood—somewhere around the age of 25.
Adolescence is a pivotal time to invest for the long term. While it is an age where young people are at their best physically, they are also extremely vulnerable. Better understanding this time of life and reframing it as a time of opportunity can help to answer the question: How might we rethink the environments and opportunities young people experience so that they remain connected, feel that they belong and can contribute?
Presenters:
Professor Karagh Brummond, Neuroscience: University of Wyoming
Samin Dadelahi, Kids Count: Wyoming Community Foundation
Tony Smith, Founder & CEO: Whyspeople & Former Illinois Superintendent for Public Instruction
Front row participants:
Nicolle Lee: Health Educator, Riverton, WY
Kip Farnum: Director, Student Support Services, Campbell County School District
Ada Mushati: UW Masters Student & Wyoming Latina Youth Conference alumnus
As with each of our discussions, we will begin with a few short presentations to set the stage and then invite several front row participants to join the conversation. A broader listening audience will have the opportunity to make comments via the chat, participate in polls and ask questions. Catherine Wheeler with Wyoming Public Media will moderate.
Photograph courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Carol M. Highsmith.
Learning Happens Everywhere
Cultivating connection across community to put learning at the center.
Literacy, said John Hoyt, delegate and future president of the University of Wyoming, “will ensure the prosperity and success of the commonwealth.” Ultimately, the architects of Wyoming’s constitution wove the equal access to a high-quality education into the state’s DNA.
These delegates didn’t merely seek merely literacy, a robust secondary education and an affordable university. They sought a pluralistic prosperity. That’s what community building blocks looked like 1889. Wyoming 2030 asks: How do we learn from our history and our now to rebuild strong communities? What is essential, what must we adapt and what do we need to leave behind?
Wyoming is emerging from the Covid-19 Pandemic while we face crushing budget challenges. What has or has not changed during the pandemic? How do we cultivate connections across community to support young people in their learning and ensure every student has access to the high-quality education – a value that is woven into Wyoming’s DNA? Over the course of our 90 minutes together we will hear perspectives from respected national education policy leaders, our state superintendent and voices that point to innovative strategies that go beyond seat time to dynamic, connected and quality learning.
As with each of our discussions, we will begin with four short presentations to set the stage and then invite several front row participants to join the conversation. A broader listening audience will have the opportunity to make comments via the chat, participate in polls and ask questions. Bob Beck with Wyoming Public Media will moderate.
PRESENTERS
Terry K. Peterson, PhD: Senior Fellow, Riley Institute and College of Charleston; Consultant to the CS Mott Foundation
Jillian Balow: Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction
Michelle Sullivan: Director, Wyoming Afterschool Alliance
Joan Evans: State Outreach Consultant, Sinclair Companies
From Neurons to Neighborhoods
Building the foundation for life-long health and self-sufficiency.
PRESENTER SLIDES & ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
Investments in the early years of life can yield a significant return over time. Evidence shows that strong programs, coupled with training for parents, result not only in economic gains for the children as they grow up, but sizable savings on taxes. For example, graduates from high quality preschool programs are less likely to need special education, are arrested less often and spend less time in prison (equating also to fewer crime victims), require fewer social services, are healthier and, in turn, pay more taxes.
Borrowing the title from a 2000 landmark publication of the same name, Wyoming2030’s first town hall will begin at the beginning. We’ll hear from a range of perspectives and explore how the science of development can generate a deeper appreciation of early relationships, life experiences and environments. We will discuss how the context – family, child-care, community – within which a child grows and develops can impact life-long health and hear about promising practices that can help to build a strong foundation for future learning, behavior and health.
As with each of our discussions, we will begin with four short presentations to set the stage and then invite several front row participants to join the conversation. A broader listening audience will have the opportunity to make comments via the chat, participate in polls and ask questions. Melody Edwards with Wyoming Public Media will moderate.
Presenters:
Rob Grunewald, Economist: Minneapolis Federal Reserve
Amy Spieker, Director of Community Health & Analysis: Cheyenne Regional Medical Center
Rebecca Steinhoff, Director: Wyoming Kids First
Promising Practice:
Elsie Chargingcrow: Family Spirit Program
Front row participants:
Fred Von Arhens: V.P Manufacturing, Genesis Alkali
Diana Clapp: Former Superintendent & Coordinator for the State Board of Education
Senator R. J. Kost: State Senate District 19 for Park and Bighorn Counties
Amelia Eckerdt: Parent – Big Horn Basin
Dr. Joseph Horam: Chief Medical Officer, Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Wyoming
Lety Liera: Director of Early Head Start & Head Start. Children’s Learning Center
Representative Albert Sommers: State House District 20 for Sublette County