Seeding Success

When all our systems work in harmony, everyone is better served. As a leader of systems-level change, Seeding Success encourages collaboration among diverse partners by building their capacity to make data-informed decisions that put children at the center, advocating for equity-based policies and funding to remove barriers and sustain improvements, and helping design systems to address disparities. Learn more about our work at seedingsuccess.org.

🗳 TODAY is Election Day! Polling places are open until 7 PM. If you are in line at your assigned location by 7 PM, you will be able to stay until you cast your ballot. Find your polling place: GoVoteTN.org ⭐️ You must bring a valid ID, which can include any of the items listed below even if expired: - A TN State-issued driver license with your photo - U.S. Passport - Photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security - Photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee state government - U.S. Military photo ID - TN handgun carry permit with your photo You can still request a provisional ballot without an ID. This allows you two days after Election Day to bring an ID to the election commission office where you will sign an affidavit and have a copy of your photo ID reviewed by the counting board. #vote #ElectionDay #Elections2024 #Memphis #ShelbyCountyTN

Happy belated Halloween, and congrats to policy advisor Rachel Starks for winning the desk decoration contest last week! 🎃🥳 It was great to see some spooky and festive creativity in the office this October.

Happy belated Halloween, and congrats to policy advisor Rachel Starks for winning the desk decoration contest last week! 🎃🥳 It was great to see some spooky and festive creativity in the office this October.

🏛 Last week's update: Election day approaches this Tuesday. Take a look at what’s on the ballot! Get the full updates by signing up for our public policy newsletter: bit.ly/s2policynewsletter ✉️ 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 & 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬: This year’s ballot includes races for the U.S. President, Vice President, Federal and State Senate, and House of Representatives, which play a vital role in federal and state policy affecting economic development, education funding, healthcare, and public safety. 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: From aldermen to school board members and mayors, local seats in various cities—including Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland, and Millington—are also on the ballot. These local officials directly shape decisions impacting our daily lives, from infrastructure and zoning to school governance and community services. 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: * Assault Weapon Regulations: Ordinances propose firearm restrictions, including safe storage and carrying regulations within city limits. * Mayoral and Council Qualifications: Proposed age and residency requirements for the Mayor and City Council candidates. * Protection Orders and Firearm Seizure: An amendment proposes the establishment of extreme risk protection orders. 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒: Recent discussions and legislative moves toward climate resilience in Memphis include the formation of the Memphis Green Bank, announced on Oct. 29 by the City of Memphis and Tennessee Valley Authority. This new initiative aims to fund projects that support climate resilience and address energy burdens on economically disadvantaged communities. #Election #Memphis #ShelbyCountyTN #policy #newsletter

Come join the Shelby County District Connector Program and Melody Freeman, Director of Engagement for Seeding Success, for a lively discussion on November 7th at the Power Center Academy's southeast campus (8146 E. Shelby Drive)! This event is an opportunity to talk about important issues affecting District 12 and share ideas. ✉️ RSVP for free on Eventbrite today: https://loom.ly/jOZqCv8 Please take some time to complete this survey before the District 12 Community Conversation: https://loom.ly/5nGezyM ✍️ The Shelby County District Connector Program is a pilot, three-year project that seeks to embed Shelby County Staff, or District Connectors, directly into each of the 13 Shelby County districts to implement and support activities that connect residents to resources, identifies district assets and gaps, and together create collaborative district plans through district stakeholders that better inform decision making and funding. #Memphis #ShelbyCountyTN #CommunityConversation

Had an incredible time attending the StriveTogether and America Achieves Workforce Outcomes Convening in Denver, where we exchanged valuable insights on building more robust systems to support economic mobility. Special thanks to Sarah Lockridge-Steckel , Amity Schuyler , and Tracy Robinson for sharing their expertise and helping deepen our understanding of what it takes to drive real, impactful change. As we continue the work through More for Memphis, I’m excited about the strides we are making toward creating more opportunities for those who need it most in Memphis. It's inspiring to see so many leaders committed to reshaping workforce outcomes and advancing economic equity in our communities. Looking forward to continuing this work together! #WorkforceDevelopment #EconomicMobility #MoreForMemphis #StriveTogether #SystemsChange #TeamMemphis

Have plans to vote by mail this year? Make sure to request your ballot by tomorrow! ⏰ Get info on absentee voting at the link below.

🏛 Last week's update: Plans for redevelopment at former Manassas High School while renewed private school voucher debates are underway. Get the full updates by signing up for our public policy newsletter: bit.ly/s2policynewsletter ✉️ 𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒: The former site of Manassas High School in Memphis is set to be redeveloped by the Hospitality Hub to provide housing options to families experiencing homelessness. According to planning documents, the "Studio Village" will provide temporary housing and case management services in a neighborhood-like setting. 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒: Tennessee is preparing for another debate on school vouchers, as Governor Bill Lee plans to prioritize a new universal voucher proposal in the upcoming 2025 legislative session. The bill would provide about $7K per student for private school tuition, offering up to 20,000 vouchers initially and expanding to all students by 2026. 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒: On Oct. 21, the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board finalized the stipulations for evaluating Dr. Marie Feagins. The Board decided that mid-year evaluations will be conducted in private, one-on-one meetings. These evaluations, which must be completed by November 30, will retain the same performance criteria as before. 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒: On Oct. 23, First 8 Memphis, the Shelby County Early Head Start program, and NEXT Memphis presented their Q4 outcomes, highlighting 94%, 96%, and 82% enrollment achieved respectively. Commissioners raised questions on use of childcare services, the quality gap, and trauma-informed support for families. A 5-year Pre-K expansion proposal for 3 and 4 year-olds countywide with a request for $12,500 per child sparked inquiries on state advocacy and funding alignment. #policy #newsletter #news #vouchers #preK #redevelopment #Memphis #ShelbyCountyTN

⚖️ Currently, people released from the criminal justice system in Shelby County reoffend at a rate of about 24.5%, often because they lack access to safe, quality housing and employment options. This year, the Shelby County Office Of Reentry (SCOR) will be receiving an award of $999,101 to fund the Returning Neighbor’s Program, which seeks to provide safe, affordable housing, employment opportunities, and wraparound services to justice-involved individuals. We are happy to announce that S2 policy advisors Erica Coleman and Rachel Starks worked with SCOR and other partners to complete the grant application! 📄✅ A study of 200 participants conducted by the Center for Research in Educational Policy (CREP) at the University of Memphis will examine the impact of housing support on housing stability, employment, and recidivism rates over time. The Returning Neighbor’s Program anticipates a reduction in the county’s recidivism rate from 24.5% to 19.5% over three years. 🔍 Read more about the award from the Department of Justice (https://loom.ly/pMTT4fE) and the University of Memphis (https://loom.ly/cTKQpxs). #ReturningNeighborsProgram #Recidivism #Reentry #ShelbyCountyTN