Ashley Strange Email & Phone Number

United States

As an advisory board member of the FOCUS ON ME (FOM), I play a crucial role in shaping the strategic direction and enhancing the impact of the program. My responsibilities include offering insights and advice on program development, ensuring that FOM's objectives align with its core mission of empowering marginalized youth through visual storytelling. I am also involved in advocacy and outreach efforts, using my network to increase the program’s visibility and attract partnerships.In addition to strategic guidance, I assist in mobilizing resources—be it financial, human, or informational—to support FOM's activities. My role includes providing feedback on these activities, helping to evaluate their effectiveness and suggest improvements to keep the initiative relevant and impactful. Depending on my expertise, I might also mentor participants or offer specialized advice that pertains to the program’s educational and community-building goals.FOCUS ON ME itself is an initiative founded by Zoe Couacaud that uses the medium of filmmaking to highlight the personal stories and inherent dignity of young people who are often seen merely as societal issues or case numbers. The program emphasizes empowerment through visibility and includes workshops for skills development in partnership with organizations like HBO and educational institutions such as Brownsville Academy High School. By bringing together diverse guest speakers and instructors, FOM strives to build a more inclusive and supportive community, reflecting the varied experiences of the communities it serves. My involvement ensures that FOM not only achieves these goals but also makes a meaningful connection with its participants.

As a Legislative Assistant, I draft significant legislation aimed at enhancing service quality and accessibility. I manage committee operations such as hearings, roundtables, and legislative markups, ensuring effective policy discussions and compliance with regulatory standards across various health boards. Additionally, I provide strategic counsel on legislative proposals and health policy, draft talking points, and coordinate closely with health committee staff to oversee extensive agency portfolios.

Washington, District Of Columbia, Us

Washington, Distric Of Columbia, Us

Since 1994, YWP has developed thousands of youth leaders and has worked in partnership with a number of DC agencies to develop policy and implement programs in sexual health education and services, foster care rights and opportunities, youth employment, and other issues. Founded by and for young women in 1992, and operating as a volunteer collective during its first 2 years, YWP has grown to a full time adult staff of six, 200 youth staff, and a budget of $650,000.YWP is a nationally recognized leader in youth development and civic engagement with a 21-year track record of rigorous, successful, outcomes-based programming and training, youth leadership development, policy development, and institutional change successes. YWP has trained more than 750 youth as staff members, 1,500 youth as peer educators and leaders in DC Public Schools, and more than 300 foster care youth leaders.

The District of Columbia Children’s Justice Act (CJA) Task Force works to enhance investigative, administrative, prosecutorial, and judicial processes for child victims of abuse and neglect through innovative and evidence-based policies, programs, practices, and training. The Task Force will focus on child abuse and neglect, child fatalities related to abuse and neglect, child sexual exploitation, and the assessment and investigation of cases involving children with disabilities or serious health related problems who are suspected victims of child abuse or neglect.Members included 14 required disciplines (Law Enforcement Community, Criminal & Civil Court Judge(s), prosecuting & defense attorneys, child welfare & Mental Health professionals, adult former victim of CAN, etc.). The Task Force meets quarterly and works in subcommittee to meet agreed upon goals.

Washington, District Of Columbia, Us

• Manage a database of all education-related bills and regulations being considered in the Education Committee.• Authored proposed legislation dealing with the Child and Family Services Agency, Social Security Disability and Medicaid, Employment of Minors, and DC Public and Public Charter Schools.• Monitor and advise on legislation outside of the Committee that affects the success of various residents citywide.• Write and edit reports on legislation, roundtables, and agencies under the Committee’ purview, or as assigned. • Staff the Councilmember at hearings, meetings, and events throughout the year related to legislation, agencies’ performances, and budgets. • Monitor the performance and budget of the DC State Board of Education, Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education, and the Office of the Student Advocate to ensure functional operation.• Manage Committee hearings, roundtables, community townhalls, and markups held throughout the year which aids in the progression of important legislation. • Track and update a database of 200 plus pieces of legislation, as well as contracts and reprogramming related to education.• Schedule and track over 200 school visits of the Councilmember from 2017 to current day, allowing the Councilmember the ability to learn of any struggles or achievements a school face. • Manage a log of over 300 Constituent issues, such as bullying, transportation, and violence, as well as work directly with constituents to resolve issues.• Work within web content systems including Squarespace to post public hearings and roundtables, and Canva to create certificates and other print documents.• Perform other duties as assigned to support the Committee and the Office of Councilmember David Grosso.

Washington, District Of Columbia, Us

Compared to other girls in the District of Columbia, young women, girls, transgender women, and gender non-conforming youth of color are more likely to live in poverty, experience homelessness, become young mothers, or reside in communities with fewer resources or bridge opportunities. They are also thirty percent less likely to complete high school and nine times more likely to be on the receiving end of harsh school discipline practices, such as out-of-school suspensions. The Young Women’s Initiative (YWI) of the Washington Area Women’s Foundation is a city-wide effort to improve life outcomes and increase opportunities for young women, girls, transgender women, and gender non-conforming youth of color between the ages of 12-24. Young women and girls of color are the primary stakeholders for this Initiative and having their input is critical to effecting positive and lasting change. As such, YWI centers the experiences and voices of young women and girls of color in every aspect of the work. Through leadership development programming, advocacy efforts, and the provision of direct support to youth-serving organizations, the Initiative aims to reduce systemic and institutional barriers to success and opportunity for young women so that they may reach their full potential.You can view a full video of the Young Women’s Initiative here: http://wawf.org/YWIVideo

The Aspen Institute's Youth & Engagement Programs empower generations of thoughtful, socially-conscious, and diverse young people engaged in solving the critical issues of the day. The inaugural Youth Commission will advise a National Commission of policy leaders, educators and practitioners on matters pertaining to the youth and teen population, especially as it relates to social, emotional, and academic development. The creation of the Youth Commission establishes a dedicated vehicle for youth to learn about the Aspen Institute, engage in the Aspen Method, and represent and articulate the needs of fellow youth.Launching in September 2016, the Youth Commission engages in quarterly meetings exploring the current state of research, practice & policy that demonstrates the critical role that schools play in developing the competencies and mindsets that are essential to preparing youth to thrive in school and life. Participation in the Youth Commission is a two year commitment, culminating in the Fall of 2018, and coinciding with the release of a national report. This report, authored in part by the Youth Commission, will recommend policies, programs, and strategies designed to improve upon the current state of social and emotional development in schools.

The legislative Intern works in the office of (At-Large) Councilmember David Grosso under the Communication Director.

Washington, Distric Of Columbia, Us

Since 1994, YWP has developed thousands of youth leaders and has worked in partnership with a number of DC agencies to develop policy and implement programs in sexual health education and services, foster care rights and opportunities, youth employment, and other issues. Founded by and for young women in 1992, and operating as a volunteer collective during its first 2 years, YWP has grown to a full time adult staff of six, 200 youth staff, and a budget of $650,000.YWP is a nationally recognized leader in youth development and civic engagement with a 21-year track record of rigorous, successful, outcomes-based programming and training, youth leadership development, policy development, and institutional change successes. YWP has trained more than 750 youth as staff members, 1,500 youth as peer educators and leaders in DC Public Schools, and more than 300 foster care youth leaders.

Edit and write for Street Sense's Newspaper

Editing, blogging, writing articles, scheduling meetings, researching, interviewing, networking

Es

Advocate for foster youth

Master Of Social Work - Msw

Bachelor'S Degree, Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs

Diploma, Student