Next Steps provides a combination of academic preparation, education and career counseling, and ongoing support services to help court-involved young people secure admission to and financial support for college education, and to persist in their pursuit of a postsecondary degree. In 2011, Next Steps was one of only ten programs nationwide selected for the National Youth Employment Coalition’s Postsecondary Success Initiative. This three-year initiative—supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, and the Open Society Foundation—aims to increase the number of low-income youth and young adults to attain a postsecondary credential. Under this grant, CASES currently works in partnership with the City University of New York's Black Male Initiative (CUNY BMI) to provide a wide range of campus-based services, including mentoring, peer support, and book/ transportation stipends.

Screening and Referral

At this time, Next Steps is open to active participants and graduates of any of the five CASES youth programs. Referrals are made by case managers and education staff within these programs.

Services

• Preparatory services - education counseling to encourage youth to plan for and pursue postsecondary education, and workshops and campus visits to introduce youth to resources and supports available through CUNY BMI.
• Postsecondary education readiness - structured classes that teach students about college options, financial aid and application procedures, college-level writing, and developing time management skills, and academic readiness classes to prepare students for college admissions tests and (if needed) remedial classes.
• Individual support services – ongoing case management and counseling around each participant’s individualized education and career plan, including (as appropriate) support for securing public assistance/benefits, linkages to community-based service providers, and linkages to employment and/or job training programs.
• Group support activities – cohort-based, monthly meetings of Next Steps students enrolled in CUNY institutions, including leadership lecture series featuring business, education, and community leaders.