Home
Proposal Two
Student StepUp Scholarship Fund: LTW Program Proposal
Component 2 & 3 | Transfer & Charter Transfer Schools with Supplemental Services
Brooklyn-Based Nonprofit
Learning to Work Program
Executive Summary
Student StepUp Scholarship Fund (StepUp) is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit with an 8-year track record of engaging high school students through innovative academic and workforce programs. Our mission: empower college students to coach and mentor 6th–12th grade youth, facilitate immersive college and career exploration, and support community organizations through workforce-aligned, technology-enabled programming.
Advantage Higher Education
Academic reinforcement platform strengthening digital literacy, leadership, and college preparedness through near-peer coaching and STEM enrichment.
Youth Chambers of Commerce
Applied workforce experiences via simulated "Chambers" aligned to career sectors. Over 80% of participants achieve a defined next step: employment, internships, or college admission.
CareerFocus Institute
Career navigation and transition planning powered by the AI-driven Career Compass and Exploration platform, guiding youth through structured career discovery and pathway planning.
Alignment with the NYC Department of Education
StepUp proposes to partner with the NYC DOE to deliver a comprehensive Learning to Work (LTW) program at designated Transfer and Charter Transfer Schools (Component 2), supplemented by Supplemental Student Support Services (Component 3). Our model aligns seamlessly with all RFP R1231 requirements.
Expert, Relationship-Driven Team
Seasoned Advocate Counselors (1:75 ratio) and WBL Coordinators embedded in each school, supported by near-peer College Coaches from CUNY Medgar Evers. All staff are trained in trauma-informed, culturally responsive practices.
Integrated In-School & Beyond-School Programming
Services delivered in close collaboration with school leaders, with StepUp staff present from 30 minutes before first bell until at least 5 PM, leveraging advisory, lunch, and enrichment blocks.
Comprehensive Academic & Career Support
Tutoring, Regents prep, credit recovery, socio-emotional counseling, attendance interventions, college access guidance, and paid internships — customized to each student's needs.
Proven Results
95% of seniors coached by StepUp applied to college (vs. ~60% of peers); 92% enrolled in postsecondary education or training; 78% of participants improved academic performance within one year.
A. Service Plan: Scope of Services & Program Design
A.1 Academic Enrichment
Push-in tutoring, pull-out sessions, daily homework labs (90+ min), weekly Regents Prep Hours, Saturday boot camps, credit recovery coordination, dual enrollment via Medgar Evers, and project-based learning enhanced by EON Reality XR technology. Goal: 85% of students earn 10+ credits annually; Regents pass rates improve 15+ points over baseline.
A.2 Youth Development
Advocate Counselor case management (bi-weekly individual check-ins), weekly group workshops via Youth Chambers of Commerce, Mentor Match program with industry professionals, and SEL life skills workshops. Target: 20% reduction in chronic absenteeism; 92% of prior participants reported increased confidence and motivation.
A.3 Postsecondary Readiness
Individual Postsecondary Success Plans within 30 days of enrollment, college access workshops (FAFSA, essays, scholarships), VR career exploration via CareerFocus Institute, and Senior Bridge transition workshops. In prior programs, 100% of seniors completed FAFSA and 92% enrolled in college or vocational training.
A.4 Work-Based Learning
25–35 WBL placements per 100 students annually via CACCI's 1,500-member business network, MECC Youth Employment, and city agencies. Includes pre-internship VR training, bi-weekly on-site check-ins, reflection journals, and stipends. Target: 80%+ internship completion rate.
A.5 Industry-Recognized Credentials
Students can earn AR/VR certificates (UC-aligned via EON Reality + University of California), Patient Care Technician certification (Medgar Evers), IT Helpdesk credentials, OSHA-30 safety certification, and CompTIA IT Fundamentals. Goal: 30% of graduating seniors leave with an industry-recognized credential or college credits.
A.6 Social Supports
Early warning attendance system with same-day outreach and home visits after 5 consecutive absences. Licensed Social Worker on call supervising ACs. Group counseling for anxiety, grief, and teen parenting. Monthly Parent Workshops. Basic needs support: loaner laptops, Wi-Fi hotspots, food pantry connections, and clothing drives.
A.7 Key Performance Goals
  • 85% of students earn 10+ credits annually
  • 20% reduction in chronic absenteeism
  • 15% increase in Regents pass rates
  • 90%+ of graduates transition to college, training, or employment
  • 75% of eligible students participate in at least one WBL activity
B. Organizational Capacity and Experience
Since 2015, StepUp has served over 1,000 students through academic support, college access, and career readiness programs. We have managed contracts with NYC ACS (Center for Fair Futures) and DYCD, consistently meeting or exceeding performance targets. Our Finance team has passed independent A-133 audits for three consecutive years with no findings, and our unrestricted net assets exceed $100,000.
100%
Diploma Rate
Participants in our 2013–2018 Brooklyn dropout prevention program earned diplomas (vs. 68% school average).
85%
College Enrollment
Of program graduates enrolled directly in college after graduation in our Brooklyn partnership cohort.
75%
GPA Improvement
Of foster youth participants in our ACS Fair Futures contract improved their GPAs through one-on-one coaching.
90%
Staff Retention
Annual staff retention rate, minimizing disruption for students and ensuring program continuity.
Staffing Structure
  • Program Director (1 per contract) — overall oversight
  • Site Coordinators (1 per school) — master's level preferred, 5+ years experience
  • Advocate Counselors (2–4 per site, caseload 50–75 each) — trauma-informed, BA minimum in Counseling/Social Work/Psychology
  • WBL Coordinators (1 per site) — employer partnerships, internship matching
  • College & Career Coaches (4–6 per site, part-time) — CUNY students, 10–15 hrs/week, DOE fingerprinted
Overall student-to-staff ratio: approximately 15:1 across all full- and part-time staff.
Key Partnerships
  • Medgar Evers College (CUNY) — dual enrollment, campus exposure, CUNY Bridge priority
  • CACCI — 20+ employer partners annually, career days, internship network
  • EON Reality — VR/AR/AI platform for career simulations and credentials
  • Urbane Flatbush Central Market — internship slots, job shadow opportunities
  • The Door — health and legal services referrals
Training & Professional Development
All staff complete a 10-day LTW Academy before launch, covering DOE protocols, trauma-informed care, and cultural competency. Biweekly virtual PD sessions and quarterly full-team training days are ongoing.
C. Site-Specific Implementation Plan
Each transfer or charter transfer school has its own culture, schedule, and needs. StepUp will develop a tailor-made Site-Specific Implementation Plan for each school in collaboration with its leadership.
1
7:30 AM
Staff arrive 30 min before first bell. ACs review attendance data and begin outreach calls/texts to absent students.
2
8:00–8:30 AM
ACs welcome students at the entrance, building relationships and encouraging on-time arrival. Check in with teachers on pressing student issues.
3
8:30 AM–2:30 PM
Push-in classroom support, case management, parent/agency outreach. WBL Coordinator runs career readiness workshops during elective periods. College Coaches lead lunchtime tutoring.
4
2:30–4:00 PM
After-school LTW session: tutoring labs, Youth Chambers meetings, technology clubs, internship coordination, and family meetings.
5
4:00–5:00 PM
ACs debrief and plan next day. Site Coordinator touches base with principal. Staff adjust schedules for evening school events as needed.
Summer Programming
A full 35-hour/week, 5–6 week summer academy at each site (July–August). Mornings: credit-bearing coursework with school teachers or approved online credit recovery. Afternoons: internships, college visits, and cultural field trips. Individualized schedules ensure at-risk students — especially rising seniors — stay on track for graduation.
Flexible & Student-Centered Scheduling
For students who must work to support their families, StepUp coordinates reduced course loads or split-day schedules with the school, supplemented by targeted tutoring. Teen parents are connected to LYFE daycares and scheduled during childcare-free windows. An LTW Student Advisory Board at each site provides continuous feedback, and monthly "StepUp Star" awards celebrate attendance and effort improvements.
D. Component 3 – Supplemental Student Support Services
StepUp's Component 3 plan offers a robust menu of Supplemental Student Support Services at each LTW site, designed to amplify the base program by addressing specific needs identified by each school community. All services are delivered by the same StepUp team already embedded in the school — ensuring continuity, rapport, and zero administrative burden on school staff.
Integration & Cost-Effectiveness
Supplemental services complement — never duplicate — the base LTW program. EON Reality's platform is provided at discounted rates, making VR Career Exploration workshops primarily a staff-time cost. StepUp coordinates with Title I, Title IV, and City Council grant streams to subsidize services, reducing the burden on school budgets. Custom services not on the menu can be added by agreement.
Quality Assurance & Sustainability
Each supplemental service includes a Service Plan Addendum with goals, schedules, responsible staff, and success metrics (e.g., % of students improving SAT scores by 100+ points). Schools receive regular progress reports. StepUp's grant development team actively pursues external funding to sustain and expand these services beyond school budget cycles.
E. Budget Narrative & Cost-Effectiveness
StepUp's budget is formulated to maximize student-facing services while adhering to NYC DOE cost guidelines. A separate budget is prepared for each proposed transfer school site per RFP instructions.
1
Detailed Expense Records
Expenses maintained by site and category, available for DOE audit at any time. Invoices submitted within 30 days of month's end per RFP guidelines, with breakdowns per site and service category.
2
Financial Reserves & Compliance
Unrestricted net assets exceed $500,000, enabling StepUp to carry initial program costs for up to 6 months as required. Three consecutive years of A-133 audits passed with no findings.
3
Multi-Source Funding Management
Any program income from philanthropic grants or other agencies is used to enhance services at no additional cost to the DOE. QuickBooks Nonprofit accounting integrates budgets at the site and program level.
4
Transparency & Value
Budgets reflect a commitment to do more with every dollar. External partnerships (EON Reality, CACCI, Medgar Evers) provide high-value resources at reduced or no cost, stretching the DOE's investment further.
G. Conclusion: Connect. Coach. Create. Change.
"Whether it's restructuring the school day to accommodate internships, training our staff in restorative justice, or holding a parent's hand through the college financial aid process — we will go the extra mile."
Student StepUp Scholarship Fund is ready and eager to partner with the NYC DOE to empower students in transfer and charter transfer schools to achieve their diplomas and successful postsecondary transitions. Our LTW program for Component 2 combines best practices in youth development with cutting-edge VR tools and a deep bench of community partnerships. Component 3 supplemental services provide a one-stop solution — from additional tutoring to mental health support to enrichment — truly embodying the LTW model's holistic approach.
By selecting StepUp for Components 2 and 3, the NYC DOE gains a partner with a clear vision, a rigorous plan, and a proven capacity to deliver results. Students who once felt left behind will instead feel supported, inspired, and on the road to success. We thank you for considering our proposal and look forward to serving NYC's youth through this important initiative.
Connect
Students to mentors, resources, and community networks
Coach
Youth through academic, personal, and career challenges
Create
Pathways to college, credentials, and careers
Change
Life trajectories — and communities — for the better