Bars to Bridges
MESD Bridges programs support positive educational transitions and outcomes for disengaged youth and their families, including justice-involved youth.
When students become eligible, a Transition Specialist meets with them and supports them throughout their educational journey, regardless of where it takes them in Oregon. Our Specialists provide trauma-informed and culturally responsive support and mentoring to our youth and their siblings. This support builds trust-based relationships between the Transition Specialist, the student, the student’s family, and other involved adults. Our aim is for participants to transition into school settings or the workforce in order to pursue their post-secondary education and career goals.
Juvenile Justice Complex
1401 NE 68th Pl.
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 988-3577
fax (503) 988-5937
Project Director
Christine Otto
cotto@mesd.k12.or.us
(503) 257-1759
Project Background
The state awarded Bridges (formerly Bars to Bridges) its first grant in 2016 with the directive to provide transitional services for African American, Black, Biracial and Multiracial students, with the focus of increasing school and before/after school activity engagement, supporting transitions, supporting culturally responsive practices and increasing attendance in post-secondary schools.
In 2015, the Oregon Legislature enacted House Bill 2016, which directed the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to develop and implement a statewide education plan for African American/Black students who are in early childhood through post-secondary education programs.
Since the program began, funding has been awarded from the Youth Development Division in past years, providing a Youth Development Community Investment Grant for Youth Workforce and Innovation from the Youth Development Division in 2019. This grant expanded services to more fully support obtaining job skills, workforce access and career preparation for eligible youth and their siblings. Activities employed from the workforce grant also facilitated more opportunities for youth and their siblings to enroll in combined education-career programs, trade schools, CTE programs and vocational programs.
The Bridges Projects support goals under the following grant programs:
African American Student Success Plan Grant
African American Student Success Plan Grant
- Reduce the number of discipline incidents for African American/Black Students.
- Increase attendance and reduce absenteeism rates for African American/Black students.
- Increase the rate of freshman on-track for African American/Black students.
- Increase graduation rates for African American/Black Students.
- Increase the post-secondary enrollment rates of African American/Black students, high school graduates and GED completers.
Youth Development Division Re-engagement Grant
- Increase the number of justice involved youth enrolled in school, post-secondary, or college/career education.
- Increase attendance and reduce absenteeism for justice-involved youth.
- Increase graduation rates and credit completion for justice-involved youth.
- Increase post-secondary enrollment rates for graduates and GED completers.