Priority 3: Coordinate, Collaborate, and Connect
The Indiana Language Roadmap Plan has been collectively developed, and its success will rely on existing and new networks and resources across the state to achieve its mission of making high-quality world language instruction and global learning opportunities available, equitable, and affordable. Opportunities abound in Indiana, with a range of existing and potential assets that can be leveraged throughout the implementation phase. Defining these building blocks and synergies will be critical to its success and sustainability and will foster creative connections through networks of diverse stakeholders. In addition to laying down a state infrastructure for world languages and the acquisition of global skills, these connections will be vital to raising awareness, fundraising, regional implementation, advocacy, and for aligning with the agendas, strategic plans, and goals of stakeholders and partners.
3.1 BUILD NETWORKS
There is a critical need to build networks and consortiums of advocates, institutions, and individuals that are invested in the Roadmap mission and will help implement and sustain activity. The four types of networks that will be advanced or strengthened are cross-state (integrating local, regional, state, and federal levels); cross-sector (connecting business, community organizations, education, healthcare, government, social services, etc.); intra-sector (creating stronger connections within business, education, healthcare, etc.), and intra-regional (building stronger regional capacity, including cross-state coordination for border regions).
3.2 ALIGN PRIORITIES
These goals can be best achieved through coordinating the needs of the various sectors, networks, and regions. Roadmap Plan recommendations and activities must align with and advance the priorities of state, regional, and local organizations and their current initiatives, rather than adding new or separate goals for these entities. A focus on cross-purposes will lead to a more sustainable model that furthers existing goals and builds on current efforts to build a stronger infrastructure for equitable access to job training, world language learning, and global skills.
The Indiana Language Roadmap Plan has been collectively developed, and its success will rely on existing and new networks and resources across the state to achieve its mission of making high-quality world language instruction and global learning opportunities available, equitable, and affordable. Opportunities abound in Indiana, with a range of existing and potential assets that can be leveraged throughout the implementation phase. Defining these building blocks and synergies will be critical to its success and sustainability and will foster creative connections through networks of diverse stakeholders. In addition to laying down a state infrastructure for world languages and the acquisition of global skills, these connections will be vital to raising awareness, fundraising, regional implementation, advocacy, and for aligning with the agendas, strategic plans, and goals of stakeholders and partners.
3.1 BUILD NETWORKS
There is a critical need to build networks and consortiums of advocates, institutions, and individuals that are invested in the Roadmap mission and will help implement and sustain activity. The four types of networks that will be advanced or strengthened are cross-state (integrating local, regional, state, and federal levels); cross-sector (connecting business, community organizations, education, healthcare, government, social services, etc.); intra-sector (creating stronger connections within business, education, healthcare, etc.), and intra-regional (building stronger regional capacity, including cross-state coordination for border regions).
- Develop a database of resources, opportunities, and interested stakeholders to share information about funding, jobs, and potential collaborations
- Use a professional learning communities model to create collaborative groups within sectors with representatives that meet quarterly to share ideas and strategies
- Create collaborative groups within regions with representatives that meet quarterly to share ideas and strategies
- Form a Governor’s Roundtable to sustain meaningful conversations
- Designate a statewide coordinating body to oversee and foster the successful and sustained implementation of the Indiana Language Roadmap Plan
3.2 ALIGN PRIORITIES
These goals can be best achieved through coordinating the needs of the various sectors, networks, and regions. Roadmap Plan recommendations and activities must align with and advance the priorities of state, regional, and local organizations and their current initiatives, rather than adding new or separate goals for these entities. A focus on cross-purposes will lead to a more sustainable model that furthers existing goals and builds on current efforts to build a stronger infrastructure for equitable access to job training, world language learning, and global skills.
- Create a cross-sector/cross-state sub-committee to initiate this alignment and seek funding sources to advance proposed initiatives
- Align proposed activities with the goals of various stakeholders, such as Welcoming Cities, Business’ Diversity and Inclusion Programs within Indiana businesses, the Indiana Department of Education, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and regional Indiana Small Business Development Centers, etc.