The Linking, Learning, Leading (3LN) Workforce Development Network is a growing community addressing the most pressing workforce challenges in the expanded learning field. Launched in July 2024 with 16 practitioners from youth-serving organizations, 3LN was co-designed as a hub for collaboration, learning, and innovation. The network strengthens members’ skills and knowledge through monthly sessions, tailored project support, and opportunities to connect with field leaders. By sharing best practices, testing new strategies, and engaging champions and partners across California, 3LN is building career pathways, improving job quality, and advancing a thriving, sustainable workforce that uplifts young people and their families.

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Resources:

2024-2025 3LN Program Recap

3LN Program Overview

WHAT DOES PROGRAM PARTICIPATION INCLUDE?

6 virtual sessions to connect with members and learn from field leaders

3 in-person sessions to build community, take collective action, and share learnings
Group meals at program events
End-of-program recognition ceremony in summer 2026
The opportunity to lead workshops at state and/or national conferences
Program materials (handouts, swag, etc.)
Microgrants (up to $500 for project expenses)

Eligible uses may include:

Personnel/Consultants
Software
Program materials for your workforce (meals, incentives, etc.)

Examples:

You host a training and compensate each participant
You need to hire a consultant to deliver a specific task for your project
You need to purchase a specific software to implement your project

OUTCOMES

Through this community of practice, participants will collaborate deeply to leverage each other’s expertise in order to test strategies to address the specific immediate and long-term workforce development needs of youth-serving CBOs in California. Participants will build relationships and collaborate with fellow workforce development professionals around new and best practices, implement these practices at their own organizations, engage in intentional professional development, and present their work at field events and conferences. Participants will also work collectively to develop a tool/resource that will be usable by the field. Ultimately, this work will lead to a stronger network of youth-serving CBOs rooted in collaboration, shared resources, and strong, standardized workforce development practices to support staff, youth, and their families.

GOALS

Build community among workforce-focused professionals in expanded learning
Promote collaboration and collective action for workforce development solutions by testing new strategies and innovations
Share learnings and resources with the expanded learning field

TIMELINE

This cohort meets monthly. Most of these meetings are virtual, with one (1) in-person Kick-Off meeting in November, a regional session in February 2026, and a Culmination Ceremony in June 2026.

AUDIENCE

The 3LN cohort will include staff representatives from each CBO (20 members total) who hold workforce-related roles such as human resources, professional development, or staff development. We hope to encourage more holistic approaches to workforce development while fostering a community of expanded learning champions who share strategies, support colleagues, and grow together as professionals.

COSTS TO YOU

We strive to ensure that cost is not a barrier to participation. Your registration fee will depend on the tier you select, and this fee covers your participation in the program. Please note that travel expenses for attending in-person sessions are not included in the registration cost and will be your responsibility.

Registration Tiers

Tier 1 - $1200

For participants with greater financial capacity. Paying at this tier helps sustain the 3LN community of practice and expands access by subsidizing lower-cost participation for others. Your purchase will significantly support the delivery and sustainability of the program.

Tier 2 - $800

For participants with moderate financial resources. This option balances affordability with contributing to the sustainability of the program.

Tier 3 - $300

For participants with limited financial capacity. This rate is supported by higher tier contributions and ensures broader inclusion within the 3LN network.

This approach ensures that each participant contributes in a way that is fair and sustainable, while keeping 3LN accessible to a diverse community of practice. If the cost of attendance remains prohibitive, please contact, 3LNworkforce@gmail.com, for more information about potential accommodations.

The sliding scale is an equitable registration model that allows participants to contribute based on their available resources. Our goal is to make participation in 3LN accessible while ensuring the sustainability of this community of practice.
By paying at the level that most reflects your organizational or personal capacity, you not only secure your own participation but also help extend opportunities to others. Those who are able to pay at higher tiers directly subsidize reduced-rate participation for peers with fewer resources.
If you are seeking financial assistance, use the self-assessment tool to help determine which registration tier best matches your organization’s capacity and resources.
The assessment takes into account factors such as:
- Your organization’s annual operating budget
- Availability of professional development funds
- Size of your organization
- Travel and participation related costs

Program Scope

Member expectations

Attend at least seven (7) network meetings
Implement at least one new workforce development strategy or practice in own organization
Participate in and share learnings/updates of ongoing and new workforce development efforts at network meetings
Attend and present learnings from 3LN during at least one field conference/event (3LN will support in identifying and preparing for presentation. Presentations may be done in partnership with other 3LN members.)
Provide feedback on 3LN Monthly commitment: approximately 4-8 hours per month

OUR STORY

The Linking, Learning, Leading (3LN) Workforce Development Network launched its first cohort in July 2024 with 16 workforce development practitioners from youth-serving community-based organizations, including positions in human resources, talent acquisition, and staff development. This cohort will collaborate throughout the year around best practices, learn from experts, implement new practices, and work on culminating projects that can help the broader expanded learning field with solutions to workforce challenges.

Exacerbated by the pandemic, challenges that have traditionally impacted the youth development field, such as limited upward mobility, pay disparity, and job quality have become more prevalent. As a result, workforce development has become an emerging strategy for youth-serving community-based organizations (CBOs) in California. However, it’s become clear that there are currently gaps in several areas of this work. With numerous CBOs throughout the state, those who work in the field may not be aligned on best practices, funding to support their work, or thought-partnering around the future of a field that is vital to communities of youth and their families.

In March 2024, Daniel Monterroso (LA’s BEST), AJ Frigillana (San Francisco Beacon Initiative), and Aleah Rosario (Partnership for Children & Youth), came up with the idea for 3LN at the National AfterSchool Association Workforce Summit 3.0. Driven by the necessity to take action around workforce challenges for their own organizations’ success, alongside the recognition of the power and potential of a community of other workforce-focused professionals, the three quickly got to work designing the goals, timeline, and content for 3LN. 3LN is co-led by Daniel, AJ, and Destiny Lopez from Partnership for Children & Youth, informed and co-designed by members, and serves as a hub to engage other champions, partners, and stakeholders who can contribute to building a thriving expanded learning workforce system.