Jen Saenz, Director of State Policy, Policy and Partnerships at StriveTogether
ROC the Future Alliance recently welcomed Jen Saenz, Director of State Policy, Policy and Partnerships at StriveTogether, and Rob Watson, Executive Director of the Harvard EdRedesign Lab, to Rochester for a strategic roundtable focused on advancing collective impact efforts that improve cradle-to-career outcomes for children and youth.
Centered on the future of education and shared learning, the discussion explored how national partnerships can support local efforts to transform systems and create lasting change. Together, we are working to ensure alliance members are equipped to shift policies, practices, resources, and power structures that drive equitable outcomes for all students.
Notable Wins Across the Alliance
PreK Prescriptions
Through a partnership with Rochester Regional Health, ROC the Future Alliance is helping increase PreK enrollment through PreK Prescriptions: Partnering Across Health and Education Sectors to Ensure K-Readiness for Every Child. This innovative initiative bridges healthcare and education, ensuring that every child in our community enters kindergarten prepared to succeed.
High-Dosage Tutoring
Ampact, in partnership with Early Learning Corps, continues to strengthen kindergarten readiness by placing trained tutors in preschool classrooms. To date, 180 early learners have received high-dosage tutoring through 2,048 tutoring sessions, totaling more than 20,000 minutes of individualized support.
Expanding Impact in Middle School
A new partnership with Andrew Langston Middle School will bring the Youth & Family Café model to seventh- and eighth-grade students and families for the first time. This initiative provides an opportunity for school leaders to hear directly from students and caregivers through one-on-one conversations and peer-led focus groups centered on the question:
“What do students and families need to be successful in middle school and throughout the transition to high school?”
To support this work, volunteers are needed for Andrew Langston’s Project-Based Learning Day on June 6, 2026, during one of two time slots: 8:00–10:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will be paired with an Andrew Langston staff member to facilitate conversations with students about career pathways, hobbies, interests, goals, and future aspirations.
To volunteer, contact Ryan Lavoie at rlavoie@rocthefuture.org.
Strengthening Student Success at Edison
Our work with Edison Career & Technology High School has engaged more than 150 students and family members through the Youth & Family Café model. Participants shared valuable perspectives on attendance, the ninth-grade experience, and college and career preparation.
Survey results identified clear and actionable priorities, with strong consensus around addressing chronic absenteeism, improving the ninth-grade experience, and ensuring students stay on track to graduate.
Recommended focus areas—including career and technical education, family and community partnerships, and academic intervention and enrichment—received broad support, with after-school programming emerging as the highest priority among participants.
Get Involved
Interested in helping shape systems-level change across our community? Join an outcome team, workgroup, or policy team by emailing info@rocthefuture.org.