by The Children's Guild | May 17, 2023 | News
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden Remarks on Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative.
WASHINGTON (May 17, 2023) – The U.S. Department of Labor announced TranZed Apprenticeships is among 98 of the department’s latest additions to the 205 organizations already serving as Apprenticeship Ambassadors. Ambassador organizations help the department promote and support Registered Apprenticeship opportunities nationwide.
In November 2021, the department launched its Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative with an inaugural cohort of over 200 Ambassadors. These ambassadors committed to promoting Registered Apprenticeships as a high-quality workforce development strategy to meet the needs of high-demand industries while expanding equitable opportunities for workers from historically underserved and underrepresented communities.
View the second cohort of Apprenticeship Ambassadors
Read about the Apprenticeship Ambassador initiative
Official DOL News Release
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by The Children's Guild | Jan 30, 2023 | News
WASHINGTON, DC January 30, 2023 – The Children’s Guild (TCG), founded in 1953 and celebrating its 70th anniversary, is a leading Mid-Atlantic nonprofit organization serving children, families, and child serving organizations dedicated to transforming the way children are cared for and educated has announced the move of their headquarters from Baltimore, MD to the NoMa district in Washington, DC. The move will help to expand TCG’s educational programs, increase and leverage new partnerships with regional and national organizations with similar missions, grow opportunities with donors, be more centrally located to staff and families and bring vital, rewarding careers to the NoMa neighborhood.
The organization is focused on helping students and families find success socially, emotionally, educationally,
and developmentally through special education and charter schools, school-based mental health services, treatment foster care, autism services, family mental and behavioral health services, and workforce development programs.
The Children’s Guild entered the Washington, DC market in 2015 when they opened the TCG DC Public Charter School at 2146 24th Place NE, Washington, DC 20018. The school led by principal Bryan Daniels has 200+ students and 80 staff including 26 teachers and five social workers. This unique and free DC public charter school serving grades K-8 has provided The Children’s Guild the opportunity to get more involved with the DC community.
“We are proud of our school in DC and excited to move our headquarters to the District to give our senior leadership and staff the ability to further our mission with direct access to partners, similar organizations, and donors,” said Jenny Livelli, President and CEO of The Children’s Guild. “It’s an honor to further the vision set by the founders of the organization and 70 years later continue to expand our services to ensure more children have access to critical therapies and educational resources throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.”
The new headquarters will be located at 1200 1st Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 in the same space as Social Current, a network of more than 1,800 social service organizations. “Social Current is excited to share this new space with The Children’s Guild, a partner in our work to advance policy and practice that creates an equitable society where all people can thrive,” noted Jody Levison-Johnson, President and CEO of Social Current. “It is collaborations like these that bring the social sector together and enhance our ability to improve population health and well-being as well as our effectiveness as a sector.”
Presently the headquarters of The Children’s Guild is in Baltimore, MD and shares the same building as TCG- Transformation Academy. This 12-month, non-public day school for students ages 5-21, whose primary diagnosis is autism has been growing since it opened in November 2021. With the corporate headquarters moving, the Transformation Academy will now be able to expand to serve more children who have co-existing diagnoses of sensory processing disorder, a specific learning disability, health impairment, or multiple disabilities. The move will also provide available space for The Children’s Guild Outpatient Mental Health Clinic and the organization’s Treatment Foster Care program, to further expand into the administrative offices in Baltimore, MD.
“As our team prepares for our move to DC, we want to thank everyone in Baltimore for their incredible support throughout the decades. While our headquarters are moving, our commitment to our Maryland-based schools and programs remains unwavering despite our change in zip code,” added Livelli. “We’re not leaving Baltimore, in fact, we are actively negotiating with the City and working with Baltimore City Gov’t and Baltimore City Public Schools to expand our programming.”
Affiliates of The Children’s Guild include The Children’s Guild School of Baltimore, The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School, The Children’s Guild School of Prince George’s County, Monarch Academy Glen Burnie, Monarch Global Academy Laurel, Monarch Academy Annapolis, Monarch Preschool College Park, The Children’s Guild- Transformation Academy, The Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Treatment Foster Care, TranZed Academy for Working Students (TAWS), and TranZed Apprenticeships. For more information, visit https://childrensguild.org/.
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by The Children's Guild | Nov 16, 2022 | Employee's Stories, News, Success Stories
Instead of focusing on how apprenticeships change lives and help people find themselves, how about what they can do for those companies and organizations that take them on? Today, many employers in tech, healthcare, and other industries are building their workforce with the help of apprenticeship programs.
APPRENTICESHIPS ARE NOT JUST FOR THE TRADES, ANYMORE
Proven in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and other trades historically, apprenticeships are now working for hospitals, cyber companies, IT and networking firms, manufacturing, finance, and more. All have complex workforce challenges and must keep up with the demands of rapid advancements, and apprenticeship is a best practice for recruiting, training, and retaining skills and talent.
Transportation, health care, hospitality, and food sectors have had the highest numbers of job openings in 2022. Every state feels the impacts of worker shortages. Hiring apprentices have become a practical solution for many organizations’ needs.
BEYOND THE WIN-WIN – THE RIPPLE EFFECT
Apprenticeships are a proven recruitment strategy for home-grown talent in a tight labor market and are usually good news stories for companies.
But apprentices also attract others with their success, paying success forward by hiring other apprentices as they climb the ladder. In September, the Biden-Harris Administration launched the Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative, formalizing this ripple effect through a national network of more than 200 employers and industry organizations, labor organizations, educators, workforce intermediaries, and community-based organizations committed to strengthening and diversifying apprenticeship.
SHAYNA ESTRELLA IS PAYING IT FORWARD
With a Master’s in Forensic Science and High Technology Crime, Shayna wanted a career in tech. But she found
that the IT industry looks for industry-recognized certifications, most of which are expensive and time-consuming. Shayna had a family to support. By working and learning through pre-apprenticeship training and two other apprenticeship programs, Shayna now runs the IT and computer labs and works with students at St. Francis Neighborhood Center, a nonprofit group in Baltimore. Her community feels the ripple, as Shayna identifies other talents, reaches back, and helps bring others along on their own career journeys.
“Shayna’s like a one-woman recruitment ad for us,” says Torbin Green, Executive Director of the St. Francis Neighborhood Center. “Finding and retaining people in the local community is the best road for us to grow.”
THANKS TO ORGANIZATIONS LIKE TRANZED APPRENTICESHIPS
The Children’s Guild’s TranZed Apprenticeships is a nonprofit registered provider that sponsors and manages apprenticeship programs in several occupations across the country, such as IT, cyber security, healthcare, and education. Registered with the US Department of Labor, programs are all approved for curriculum, rigor, and quality.
Working with other current and former apprentices has fostered a real sense of community among the St. Francis team. Upper management and more tenured team members are eager to help and support new apprentices because they have been in their shoes themselves.
EMPLOYER AND APPRENTICE SUPPORT
Through TranZed, The Children’s Guild works with employers to understand their hiring needs and recruit candidates who meet their skills and company culture. Apprentice candidates are driven, eager to learn, and ready to work. TranZed experts are always available to help employers, associations, and employees when needed, and help employers build, register, and sponsor programs. TranZed also manages record-keeping, progress tracking, and compliance management, taking that load off employers.
The program helped Shayna big time. In partnership with Baltimore Cyber Range, TranZed Apprenticeships prepped and covered the expenses of both the CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications for her, opening industry doors and many new opportunities.
AN IMPORTANT NEW ADDITION TO THE MODERN WORKFORCE
“Apprenticeships are a crucial component to closing the skills gap and are rapidly becoming key additions to the modern workforce,” says Erin Finnegan-Smith, Managing Director of Workforce Development for The Children’s Guild.
Since its launch in 2016, TranZed has expanded its offerings from IT and Cyber to Education and Healthcare. TranZed has placed and supported the placement of an increasing number of apprentices across the country by managing and consulting with other employers, associations and organizations looking to sponsor programs.
“Tried and tested for decades, the apprenticeship model works, and non-traditional companies are opening their eyes to upscaling and building their workforce today rather than buying it,” says Finnegan-Smith.
NOVEMBER 14 BEGINS NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK
The Children’s Guild and TranZed Apprenticeships are celebrating the Eighth Annual National Apprenticeship Week from November 14-20, 2022. During this nationwide celebration, industry, labor, equity, workforce, education, and government leaders host events to showcase the successes and value of apprenticeship in rebuilding the economy, advancing racial and gender equity, and supporting underserved communities.
Apprenticeship is a proven, industry-driven training model, providing a vital pipeline of talent that can help to address some of America’s pressing workforce challenges such as rebuilding our country’s infrastructure, addressing critical supply chain demands, supporting a clean energy workforce, modernizing our cybersecurity response, and responding to care economy issues.
DISCOVER MORE ABOUT APPRENTICESHIPS AND HOW THEY WORK
An official website of the US Government, ApprenticeshipUSA is an industry-driven career pathway where employers develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a nationally-recognized credential. Another is American Job Centers, where people can search for jobs, find training, and answer other employment-related questions.
Employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 15% through 2029, faster than all other occupations. Find out how TranZed can help with CNA pre-apprenticeship and Patient Care Technician programs >
Want to learn more? [email protected]
by The Children's Guild | Nov 16, 2022 | News
ANNAPOLIS, MD, October 31, 2022 – The Anne Arundel County Public School District has announced the appointment of Mr. Shae Johnson as the new principal of The Children’s Guild Monarch Academy Annapolis (TCG MAA), an International Baccalaureate® (IB) Primary Years Programme World School serving students in pre-kindergarten to fifth grade. Mr. Johnson is an accomplished and energetic school administrator with 17+ years’ experience in both public and private, elementary, middle, and secondary schools providing outstanding leadership and a culture of value and integrity. He will be the first principal of color since the school’s inception.
“We are thrilled that Anne Arundel County has appointed Shae to lead Monarch Academy Annapolis,” said Jenny Livelli, President and CEO of The Children’s Guild. “We are confident in Shae’s abilities to implement effective strategy and programs, transform the school’s culture, and respond to the unique needs of every child, family and the entire community. Shae is already showcasing his leadership ability as he was instrumental in the school’s new IB PYP designation.”
Most recently Shae Johnson had been Assistant Principal of Monarch Academy Annapolis, where he oversaw
the implementation of academic curricula and data driven instructional decision making as well as co-managed the $8 million annual budget. Prior to joining Monarch Academy, Shae was Vice Principal/Academic Facilitator of Imagine Lincoln Public Charter in Prince George’s County and Vice Principal of Imagine Hope Public Charter School, part of the District of Columbia Public Schools. Shae began his career as a teacher in the Baltimore City Public School System.
“It is extremely exciting for me to have the chance to lead Monarch Academy Annapolis. I am grateful to Anne Arundel County Public Schools for having the trust in me to be able to lead. We have had a strong start to the 2022-23 school year, and excited to receive the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Primary Years Programme World School designation, identifying us as a leading primary school in the region,” said Shae Johnson, Principal, Monarch Academy Annapolis. “I grew up in Prince George’s County and have been an Anne Arundel County resident for more than 20 years. My children went to school here, so I am pleased both personally and professionally. I am committed to Monarch Academy and the citizens of Annapolis to make sure that our teachers and administrators have the tools they need to be creative and grow and pass that energy onto the children in our school,” added Johnson.
In July 2022 The Children’s Guild Monarch Academy Annapolis received the official International Baccalaureate (IB) designation for the Primary Years Programme (PYP) World School. IB World Schools share a common philosophy—a commitment to improve the teaching and learning of a diverse and inclusive community of students by delivering challenging, high-quality programs of international education that share a powerful vision.
Monarch Academy Annapolis is part of The Children’s Guild’s schools and programs which respond to the unique needs of every child, family, and community it serves. The organization is one of the largest providers of charter schools, special education, autism services, treatment foster care, and family mental and behavioral health services in the region.
Affiliates of The Children’s Guild include The Children’s Guild, Inc., Baltimore Campus, The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School, The Children’s Guild – Prince George Campus, Monarch Academy Glen Burnie, Monarch Academy Global – Laurel, Monarch Academy Annapolis, The Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Treatment Foster Care, The Children’s Guild- Transformation Academy, Monarch Preschool College Park, TranZed Academy for Working Students (TAWS), and TranZed Apprenticeships. For more information, visit https://childrensguild.org/.
by The Children's Guild | Sep 19, 2022 | News
The Children’s Guild (TCG), one of the largest providers of charter schools, special education, autism services, treatment foster care, and family mental and behavioral health services in the region has announced the appointment of Chris Zimmerman as the new Chief Financial Officer and newest member of the executive team. Zimmerman was most recently Chairperson of the Board for TCG and will be replacing Charley Gordon who has assumed the role of Chief Revenue Officer for TCG. Andrew Hahn is now Chairman of the Board of Directors for the organization.
“Chris, Charley and Andrew have been instrumental in the success of The Children’s Guild, and we are thrilled they will continue to provide their expertise in their new leadership positions. Our senior team and board of directors are committed to the strategic direction and goals of TCG organization’s growth plan as we continue to respond to the unique needs of every child, family, and community we serve,” said Jenny Livelli, President and CEO of The Children’s Guild. “We are well positioned with the right talent to drive our organization into the future, and implement our new strategic plan and vision set forth by The Children’s Guild Board of Directors emphasizing effective, efficient, and quality operations across all TCG service areas.”
Chris Zimmerman who was most recently Chair of the Board of The Children’s Guild has become a member of the senior leadership team as the Chief Financial Officer of the organization. He was most recently with from Diligent Corporation, the leading governance, risk, and compliance SaaS company. As a director there, he partnered with all areas of the organization to institute new policies, processes, and systems. Prior to joining Diligent, consulting for top firms such as Accenture, Chris spent a decade advising C-Suite executives at Fortune 500 companies. He gained experience assisting organizations in a variety of industries, including education; finance; technology; health insurance; professional services; government; health and life sciences; travel; and manufacturing. Before joining the board, Chris had been supporting The Guild as a volunteer since 2014. He was as a founding member of The Children’s Guild DC Charter School Board of Directors.
Charley Gordon joined The Children’s Guild in November 2020 as its Chief Financial Officer before moving to
the Chief Revenue Officer role in July 2022. Charley brings 41 years of experience in the private sector to his work at The Children’s Guild. He is a senior executive with extensive experience in diverse industries such as wholesale distribution; manufacturing; computer hardware, software and services; hospitality; integrated marketing; public accounting; start-up consulting and funding; not-for-profits in human services, music and theater; and real estate development, acquisitions, investing and management. Prior to joining The Children’s Guild, he held the positions of President of OPS Unlimited; VP Finance & Administration for Calico Industries; Chief Financial Officer for SuiteLinq; VP of Operations for Micros Fidelio Direct; and Chief Financial Officer for Hayman Systems. Charley is a Certified Public Accountant and earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Boston University.
Andrew Hahn, CFP®, CRPC® joined The Children’s Guild Board in 2019 and has taken over the Chairperson role. He is a vice president and financial advisor with Seventy2 Capital Wealth Management, where his clients include families that have members with special needs. Previously, Hahn was a financial advisor for Merrill Lynch, and UBS, and before that, he founded and ran businesses in printing, publishing and information technology. He is a Certified Financial Planner® and a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor®. He holds a degree in business management from James Madison University
In addition, Howard Kurman, an employment attorney, and Principal of the Baltimore Office, Offit Kurman Attorneys at Law, will be joining the Board of Directors. Howard will serve alongside Keri Lowry, associate director for national security at Guidehouse and Neil Young, retired from his work as an insurance broker and advisor who have both extended their positions on the TCG board until 2025.
Dr. Paul Rao who was most recent the “Past Board Chairperson” has stepped down. “Paul brought over 40 years of experience in health care leadership and speech-language pathology to The Children’s Guild, and we owe him a debt of gratitude for his dedication and years of service to our organization. Paul previously served as Vice Chair, three years as Chair and two years as Past Board Chair and we wish him well in his future endeavors,” added Jenny Livelli.
Affiliates of The Children’s Guild include The Children’s Guild, Inc., Baltimore Campus, The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School, The Children’s Guild – Prince George Campus, Monarch Academy Glen Burnie, Monarch Academy Global – Laurel, Monarch Academy Annapolis, The Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Treatment Foster Care, The Children’s Guild- Transformation Academy, Monarch Preschool College Park, TranZed Academy for Working Students (TAWS), and TranZed Apprenticeships. For more information, visit https://childrensguild.org/.
