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Our Work

IEL bridges research, policy, and practice to build equity at the intersections of education, health, and employment.

IEL builds sustainable leadership capacity for leaders across sectors and stages of development.

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Prepare & Support

Growing leaders in the spectrum of education, education policy, and other related fields.

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Mobilize & Connect

Supporting and developing young leaders—including those with disabilities—to be self-advocates and enact positive changes.

How IEL can support YOU

Leadership matters when harmonizing the knowledge, skills and talents that already exist in local communities to achieve equity. IEL supports communities in creating comprehensive systems of support grounded in a framework of collaborative leadership. 

IEL focuses on preparing, supporting, and mobilizing leaders of all ages, stages, and contexts in becoming champions of equity by building their capacity to navigate effectively across sectors, ideologies, and inclusive decision-making. Get engaged individually and in small or large groups.

Roles we support:

  • State and systems level leaders
  • Community School Coordinators
  • School Principals
  • District Administrators
  • Intermediary Leaders
  • Nonprofit Professionals
  • Youth Serving Professionals

Support we can provide:

  • Coaching and Transformational Assistance
  • Results Based Strategic Planning
  • Capacity Building/Professional Development of Local Leaders
  • Virtual networks to build community and spread best practices in like roles (free)
  • National and regional convenings to build capacity and connections
  • Coaching: Whether developing one program or an entire system, IEL is readily available to instantly respond to your unique circumstances as you navigate the politics, personalities and personal agendas that you just can’t fit into a framework. We have a network of national and local exemplar leaders with lived experiences and vast national knowledge to walk with you on your journey. Contact iel@iel.org.
  • Resources: Our Resource Library contains a vast wealth of tools, templates, guides, and reports that you can use in your work, whether it be Community Schools, Family and Community Engagement, Youth Development, or VR services. Not seeing what you’re looking for? Contact us at communications@iel.org for more support.
  • Professional Development: 
      1. Community Schools and Family Engagement Suite – for our full menu of CSxFE services, go to https://www.communityschools.org/services/
      2. Everyone an Advocate Suite (Policy and Advocacy) – Learn more about our Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP) and Washington Policy Seminar, Policy by the People Learning modules, and Federal Policy Updates. Contact epfp@iel.org.
      3. Youth Leadership and Development Suite – Learn about our Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP), Youth Service Provider Disability Inclusion Capacity Building, and more. Contact cwd@iel.org. 
  • Networks: Holding true to our belief in the power of community, we accelerate the development of adaptive, collaborative, and distributive leadership along with the scaling best practices through the shared experiences of professionals in peer groups. Learn more about these free opportunities.
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[The] Education Policy Fellowship Program gave me a safe space to use my voice, practice my leadership skills, and build my network...EPFP was a catalyst for me to move to the next level.

DC EPFP Alum