We are concerned about issues within distance learning, in-person learning, sanitation of schools, recreational/gathering activities, and social and emotional support. One of the most common themes was the negative impact on youth and their education access. We co-hosted with several organizations two youth centered town halls about the impact of the pandemic on youth. I will now talk about the pandemic and the need for youth center responses to issues. We also support more training of staff to ensure youth who are transgender or gender nonconforming are able to have a safe and healthy school experience. This includes keeping two records of students’ education records (one with the gender assigned at birth and one with the gender they self-identify as). ![]() The policy we are advocating be enforced is the one that states that youth has the right to be called by the gender they have self-identified as. We are also asking the DCPS ensure that individual schools enforce their current policies that have been created support Youth who are transgender or gender nonconforming. We are asking that youth under 18 have access to the education records so they can navigate their own education success. This becomes a difficult task when you are trying to transfer to a different school, apply for college, or even simply confirm your graduation credits when you are under 18. We know that there are many youth who are navigating government systems without adult or family support. We are also asking that children and youth receive regular classes or training on issues that will lead to mandated reporting.Īnother major issue we are working on is consent at 16. We are requesting that DCPS first address the issue of reporting by first making it clear to youth what leads to a cps call and who mandated reporters within their schools using placards within schools. Within our coalition we have many stories of youth having CPS called to their homes because they came to school late or missed breakfast without anyone talking with them first and seeing if there were reasons for these incidents. We also know they are over-reporting issues that are not at a level of abuse or neglect for youth of color. I personally have been told of many incidents in which youth have shared issues with abuse and neglect and were not taken seriously or believed. ![]() We know that there is an issue with under-reporting issues of neglect and abuse that are serious for youth and children of color. The first issue I will testifying about is mandatory reporting. ![]() Today, my testimony will focus on the following issues: mandatory reporting, increasing consent at 16 within education, youth centered approaches to responding to the pandemic, and police free schools. We are currently managed by our Youth Advisory Board made up of young girls of color and gender nonconforming people of color ages 11- 22 years old. DCGC, comprised of youth-serving and advocacy organizations, that adopts and fights for the implementation of policy recommendations that centers youth leadership and addresses their needs. The DC Girls’ Coalition works to elevate and amplify the voices of young women, girls, femmes, gender non-conforming and transgender girls/women of color in the District of Columbia. Good Afternoon, my name is Kristi Matthews and I am the Coordinator for DC Girls’ Coalition. Chairman Phil Mendelson Committee of the WholeĪgency Performance Oversight: All Education Agencies March 9, 2021
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