In his January budget draft, Governor Newsom called for a multi-year extension of the Regional K-16 Education Collaborative Grant Program—a move that would sustain and strengthen the work of 13 collaboratives across California, including the L.A. Region K-16 Collaborative. This proposed extension not only reflects the growing impact of the program but also opens the door for deeper alignment with statewide workforce and economic development efforts.

In February 2025, the L.A. Unified School District's (LAUSD’s) Community Schools Steering Committee (CSSC) finalized the selection and designation of seven schools to join Cohort 6 of the Community Schools Initiative (CSI). These seven schools will join the 63 existing community schools, reaching the LAUSD CSI expansion goal of 70 community schools by the 2025-26 year!

UNITE-LA is proud to have contributed to the development of the Dual Enrollment Toolkit, a resource designed to help high school students and families—particularly those historically underrepresented—understand and access dual enrollment opportunities across L.A. County.

Dear Partners,

We’re excited to introduce Systems Change Spotlight, an evolution of the L.A. Compact Connection newsletter that reflects the expansion of our work rooted in the L.A. Compact. What began as a bold commitment to address LAUSD’s dropout crisis and strengthen pathways between K-12 schools and careers has evolved to grow into a powerful catalyst for collective action towards systems change.

Guided by five goals supporting school readiness, high school graduation, postsecondary attainment, career success, and social and emotional well-being, the L.A. Compact has advanced numerous initiatives over the years inclusive of K-12 educator training; financial aid and dual enrollment; free two-year college; remedial education reform; reverse and traditional transfer; digital equity; career readiness for transition-age foster youth; student-centered community schools; and more. Today, UNITE-LA is doubling down on our commitment to systems change that focuses on shifting the underlying conditions that hold inequitable outcomes in place for young people in the L.A. region.

UNITE-LA held its biannual Health Care Virtual Career Fair in March. During the first hour, attendees heard from four employers, Cedars-Sinai, the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County, Common Spirit and UCLA Health, who shared about their organizations and their entry-level job and internship opportunities.

Last month, UNITE-LA launched its eighth Step into Tech cohort with 18 participants.

UNITE-LA was honored to be invited by the California Workforce Development Board and the Foundation for California Community Colleges to present at the two-day Breaking Barriers site visit in late March.

Last month, UNITE-LA’s L.A. Youth at Work team hosted work-readiness certification sessions at various partner high schools throughout L.A., including the Huntington Park Institute of Applied Medicine at Linda Esperanza Marquez High School, Birmingham Charter High School, Orthopaedic Medical Magnet High School and Esteban Torres High School, serving more than 600 junior and senior students across the area who are preparing to pursue summer internship opportunities.

The LA DEAL team was thrilled to secure a technical assistance award from Local Initiatives Support Corporation's (LISC's) Broadband Help Hub to aid in the development of the Community Broadband Network in Los Angeles County.

Last month, the City of Los Angeles Economic & Workforce Development Department (EWDD) and the L.A. Opportunity Youth Collaborative (OYC) held the third Horizons 32K Stewardship Board meeting.