Agenda-At-A-Glance

Date: Monday, December 9th, 2024
Location: Palm Beach Gardens - Marriott


BREAKFAST - 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. - Foyer


Opening Remarks - 9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.

Dr. James Green, Director
Palm Beach County Community Services Department

Maria G. Marino, Mayor
Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners

Chelsea Reed, Mayor
Palm Beach Gardens

Verdenia Baker, Administrator
Palm Beach County


Opening Plenary Session - 9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Stronger Together: Empowering Local Community Networks to Advance Economic Mobility

How can community-based organizations (CBOs) and local networks harness the power of Upward Mobility frameworks to drive economic mobility across Palm Beach County? Join us for the opening plenary session of our Summit as we delve into strategies to effectively utilize metrics and tactics to boost upward mobility. Explore how tracking community conditions and reviewing key predictors and indicators can empower our local community networks to achieve economic growth. Don't miss this opportunity to kick start our journey towards building a stronger, more prosperous community together!

National Leaders:

Keith Fudge, Director of Policy Management
Upward Mobility Initiative - Urban Institute
Jennifer Kuiper, Associate Program Director
Resilient Economies and Communities - NACo


BREAK - 10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.


CONCURRENT SESSION 1 - (4 workshops) (10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)

Safety and Justice - Salon B

Life After Incarceration: Navigating the Challenges of Re-Entry to Promote Economic Mobility

In this session, we will explore the various barriers and existing policies that hinder individuals from successfully gaining employment upon re-entering society. Participants will engage in discussions and discover best practices aimed at reducing fines and fees, advancing economic mobility for formerly incarcerated individuals and their families, and fostering supportive employer practices. Topics will include policies recommendations that promote fair hiring practices and enhance economic prospects for citizens re-entering the community.

National Leaders:

Brett Taylor, Senior Advisor
The Center for Court Innovation's West Coast Initiatives
Center for Justice Innovation

Palm Beach County Leaders:

Freddelle Menard, Assistant State Attorney
State Attorney's Office
Daniel Eisenger, Public Defender
15th Judicial Circuit
Jessica Hidalgo, Manager
Palm Beach County Public Safety Department

Moderator:

Angelique Pickett, Executive Director
Criminal Justice Commission

Food and Hunger - Salon C

Cultivating Prosperity: Harnessing the Power of Food Systems for Economic Mobility

Join us as we uncover the transformative potential of the food system in driving economic mobility. From strengthening food infrastructure to fostering culinary entrepreneurship, we'll explore a variety of strategies to combat food insecurity and enhance economic prospects; gain insight into ongoing community projects and expert-endorsed best practices; discover key initiatives and strategies that boost earning potential. Additionally, we'll spotlight local endeavors that empower individuals through vocational culinary training and foster economic equity in the food sector.

National Leaders:

Florence French Fagan, Senior Regional Organizer
Bread for the World

Palm Beach County Leaders:

Julie Kreafle, Consultant
United Way of Palm Beach County
Jamie Kendall, CEO
Palm Beach County Food Bank

Moderator:

Taruna Malhotra, Deputy Director
Palm Beach County Community Services Department

Employment - Salon D

Empowerment Pathways: Paving the Way to Economic Independence

In this session, we'll explore a myriad of innovative approaches aimed at fostering employment and economic empowerment within our community. We'll spotlight initiatives such as Circles and Prosperity Centers, a program dedicated to assisting those living in poverty by offering comprehensive wrap-around services, including employment skills training and social capital development to facilitate their transition out of poverty. We'll also discuss the concepts like universal income, pre-employment training, work readiness training, and financial literacy. Join us as we explore these initiatives and discuss their role in promoting economic mobility and empowerment within our community.

National Leaders:

Tiffney Marley, Senior Vice President
Community Action Partnership National Office

Palm Beach County Leaders:

Kem Bush, CEO
Pathways to Prosperity
Kelly Powell, CEO
Community Partnership of South Florida

Moderator:

Julia Dattolo, President & CEO
Career Source

Health and Wellness - Salon E

Health is Wealth: Advancing Health Equity Through Economic Mobility

This session will focus on the critical intersection of health and economic stability, emphasizing how improving economic mobility can lead to better health outcomes for individuals and families, particularly those facing significant barriers. This session will explore innovative pilot initiatives and proven best practices aimed at supporting the physical and behavioral health needs of families living in poverty and individuals transitioning back to the community from treatment centers and jails. Join us to gain valuable insights, share experiences, and collaborate with fellow participants committed to advancing health equity through economic mobility.

Palm Beach County Leaders:

Darcy Davis, CEO
Healthcare District of Palm Beach County
Dr. Jyothi Gunta, Director
Florida Health Department in Palm Beach County

Moderator:

Andrea Stephenson Royster, CEO
Health Council of Southeast Florida (HCSEF) and the Lake Okeechobee Rural   Health Network (LORHN)


LUNCH PANEL (PLENARY) - 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Banyan

Poverty, Place and Race: Exploring the Legacy of Persistent Poverty in PBC

Join us for a compelling plenary session addressing the interconnected issues of poverty, race, and place and their impact on upward economic mobility. We’ll explore the racial wealth gap, policies that perpetuate poverty, and innovative investment strategies to revitalize neighborhoods. Discover promising initiatives like the Purpose Built Community model, which fosters public-private partnerships for community revitalization. We’ll also tackle misconceptions about racial economic progress and examine interventions to provide clearer insights into economic disparities. Join us as we reimagine the power of place to foster economic opportunity and growth, paving the way for a brighter, more equitable future.

National Leader:

Dr. LesLeigh Ford, Associate Director
Office of Race and Equity Research (ORER) - Urban Institute

Palm Beach County Leaders:

Upendo Shabazz, Interim Executive Director
Northend RISE
Eric Kelly, President
Quantum Foundation


BREAK - 1:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. - Foyer


CONCURRENT SESSION 2 - (4) (1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

Childcare - Salon B

Nurturing Success: Exploring Childcare Solutions to Advance Economic Mobility

Join us as we dig into the critical topic of childcare and its profound impact on early childhood development and intergenerational income mobility. Explore innovative approaches like employer-sponsored childcare and the pivotal role it plays in supporting working families. Discover the significance of early childcare in shaping future opportunities for children and families. We'll shine a spotlight on local organizations and their tireless efforts to provide quality childcare services to our community. Additionally, we'll discuss policies and programs aimed at enhancing access to affordable childcare for families in need. Don't miss this opportunity to learn, engage, and advocate for solutions that empower our children and families for a brighter future.

National Leader:

Makayla Buchanan, Director
Early Learning & Literacy - Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Palm Beach County Leaders:

Aruna Gilbert, Executive Vice President
Chief Program and Policy Officer - Early Learning Coalition
Dr Lisa Williams-Taylor, CEO
Children Services Council, Palm Beach County

Moderator:

Elisa Cramer, Director
Palm Beach County Youth Services Department

Transportation - Salon C

Navigating the Road Ahead: Advancing Transportation for Economic Mobility

Join us for an insightful discussion on transportation and its pivotal role in fostering economic mobility within our communities. Explore the current state of transportation infrastructure, including potential enhancements like new bus stops and other changes aimed at improving accessibility. Discover innovative initiatives that foster collaboration between the public and private sectors to enhance transportation services. Learn about best practices from across the nation, addressing transportation challenges and promoting equitable access for all. Don't miss this opportunity to contribute to the creation of a more inclusive transportation system for our communities.

Palm Beach County Leaders:

David W Dech, Executive Director
South Florida Regional Transportation Authority / Tri-Rail
Ivan Maldonado, Executive Director
Palm Tran
Valerie Nielsen, Executive Director
Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency (TPA)

Moderator:

Sharon L'Herrou, CEO
211

Education - Salon D

Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Education for Employment in the Digital Age

Join us for an enlightening session on empowering tomorrow's workforce, today. Explore education's role in addressing the skills gap and preparing individuals for the evolving workforce demands. Explore strategies to identify and focus on the essential skills needed by potential employers and collaborating with the educational system to integrate them into tailored curriculum. Discover the realm of AI and Cybersecurity, uncovering the certifications required for increasing employment opportunities in these growing fields. Explore best practices from national partners or communities actively working to bridge the gap between education and employment, offering invaluable insights into effective strategies for success. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation and contribute to shaping the future of education and employment in the digital age.

National Leader:

Dr. Adam Phyall III, Ed.D, Director of Professional Learning and Leadership
All 4 ED

Palm Beach County Leaders:

Dr. Ava Parker, President
Palm Beach State College
Mike Burke, Superintendent
Palm Beach County School District

Moderator:

Michele Jacobs, President & CEO
Economic Council

Housing - Salon E

Creating Homes, Creating Futures: A Collective Effort to Increase (Economic Mobility via) Access to Affordable Housing

Join us for a vital discussion on housing as an essential need and the collective efforts underway to increase housing accessibility and affordability in Palm Beach County. Explore strategies to leverage housing initiatives to advance economic independence and stabilize communities. Topics will include effective utilization of the Housing Dashboard, homeless prevention strategies focusing on eviction prevention, and other initiatives aimed at increasing access to affordable housing. Gain insights into collaborative efforts with Housing Authorities, emphasizing governance and boosting economic mobility through self-sufficiency models to end homelessness for families across our community. Discover the importance of sealing eviction records for housing stability and economic prosperity. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the solution in addressing housing challenges and building a better future for our communities.

National Leader:

Ashon Nesbitt, CEO
Florida Housing Coalition

Palm Beach County Leaders:

Suzanne Cabrerra, President & CEO
Housing Leadership Council of PBC
Wendy Tippett, Director
Human Services & Community Action Program Division
Palm Beach County Community Service Department

Moderator:

Jonathan Brown, Director
Department of Housing and Economic Development



Closing Plenary - 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Banyan

Building Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Health and Human Services: Addressing Current Challenges and Exploring Future Opportunities

We will close our Summit with the crucial topic and discussion of building Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Health and Human Services to advance economic mobility. Explore how AI and other existing technologies can be leveraged to address current challenges and unlock future opportunities in the health and human services sector. Join us for this final session as we discuss innovative strategies and potential applications of AI to enhance service delivery, improve client outcomes, and streamline administrative processes. Don't miss this opportunity to be at the forefront of revolutionizing the health and human services sector with the integration of AI.

National Leaders:

Tito Torres, Senior Manager
Deloitte
Ronnie Thomas, Strategy & Analytics Specialist Leader
Deloitte

Palm Beach County Leader:

Archie Satchell, CIO
Palm Beach County

Moderator:

Taruna Malhotra, Deputy Director
Palm Beach County Community Services Department



Closing Remarks - 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Banyan

Speaker:

  • Dr. James Green, Director; PBC CSD

Networking Reception: 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Lobby/Bar