A Chicago Public Schools program designed to transition students who have dropped out back into the education system is gearing up to get students back into the classroom.
Chicago Public Schools’ Back to Our Future Program officially launched in the summer of 2022, but mobilizing the program at scale is still underway.
School leaders are aiming to engage 1,000 former Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students. The 9 to 12 month program will connect those former students back into the CPS schools or into education completion programs.
Read more: What Is Chicago Public Schools’ Black Student Success Plan?
Participants will need to commit to 20 hours per week for the first 12 weeks of the program for soft skills and job training. Those participating will be paid $15.40 per hour for the soft skills training portion of the program.
Program partners Breakthrough, Youth Advocate Programs and UCAN will locate and engage disconnected youth. To refer a young person to the Back to Our Future Program, fill out the program’s referral form.
Who qualifies for the Chicago Public Schools’ Back to Our Future program?
- Disconnected youth aged 14 to 20 years old.
- Disengaged from CPS for 18 or more months or a history of chronic absenteeism, although the time period of disengagement varies by individual student.
- Disconnected youth with involvement in the juvenile justice system.
- Disconnected youth experiencing the effects of violence in their communities.
What does the Back to Our Future program offer?
- Socioeconomic connection through 12 weeks of paid soft skills training and transitional job placement.
- Immediate and ongoing case management through coaching and mentoring supports, administered through a trauma informed lens.
- Therapy support to address trauma, instances of anxiety, depression and other issues resulting from exposure to violence.
- Family based support through connection to agencies, resources and clinical services.
Which Chicago neighborhoods are served by program partners?
Youth Advocate Programs will serve the Englewood, Austin, Chicago Lawn, Grand Crossing, New City, North Lawndale, Roseland, West Englewood, West Pullman, West Garfield Park and South Lawndale communities.
UCAN will serve the West Garfield Park, Little Village, Roseland, Austin, North Lawndale, Humboldt Park, East Garfield Park, New City and South Lawndale communities.
Breakthrough will serve the community of East Garfield Park.
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