2008 Youth Conference
 Working Passage
January 15th-17th, 2008
Long Beach, CA

ONLINE REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED.
ON-SITE REGISTRATIONS STILL ACCEPTED.
$500.00 ON-SITE REGISTRATION FEE

  

The California Workforce Association’s Eighth Annual Youth Conference will be January 15 – 17, 2008 at the Renaissance Long Beach Hotel. Long Beach is home to one of the world’s greatest ports, so we have adopted a shipping motif for the Conference. We invite you to get aboard a unique voyage of youth providers and youth as we explore six different worlds of youth employment and youth development.

CONFERENCE Theme
When you agree to a working passage you exchange your labor for the opportunity to travel, experience new things and learn new skills. This is different than getting on a cruise ship, sitting back, and letting things happen. When you sign up for a working passage you are willing to do your part to make things happen, to create your future. You are taking responsibility for your own journey, even if it’s hard work. As such, we intend that everyone who comes will be fully engaged in the experience that we will provide, and likewise, will leave with skills to fully engage with their youth. In addition, this theme evokes the passages that young people make as they move from school to further education, work, and life as an adult. 

ConFERENCE FEATURES
As in past years, the Conference will feature youth performances, videos, youth led workshops, as well as information on specific occupational opportunities especially promising for youth. Designed to provide specific segments of training in the most critical aspects of youth programs, you will enhance your skills, explore new approaches, take home new ideas and experience shifts in thinking based on your “travels” with us. It promises to be an important learning journey for everyone on deck.

PRECONFERENCE SESSIONS
PreConference sessions will address youth common measures, youth cultural competencies, and a field trip to the port of Long Beach to learn about opportunities in the logistics field. SEE PreConference TAB for more details.  

Youth LED WORKSHOPS
Youth participate as presenters and speakers in the Conference. Last year’s youth led workshops played to standing room only crowds and received excellent evaluations. YDRF will once again employ the talents of youth to provide insightful workshops that articulate important information to youth providers. 

ConFERENCE TOPIC AREAS
Following our shipping motif, this year’s learning voyage will have 6 ports of call. Each port will offer its own unique experience and will provide focused training. As we arrive in each port, the topic will be introduced by experts and fellow travelers, followed by specific training (breakout) sessions that look at different aspects of the issue.  

Meaningful Youth Engagement
Promising Career Pathways
Juvenile Justice
Leveraging Technology
Youth Transitions
Youth Performance & Benchmarking

Cancellation Policy
All cancellations made before 5:00pm, January 1st, 2008 are subject to a $75.00 service charge. Individuals canceling after 5:00pm, January 1st, 2008 and “No-Shows” will be assessed the full registration fees.