Shoutout Little Researchers for Creative Change, a program by the Coalition for Compassionate Schools
Since 2023, Coalition for Compassionate Schools (CforCS) has offered year-round opportunities for middle and high schoolers to amplify their voices through research and action planning. They are the Little Researchers of Creative Change (Little ROCCS).
Little ROCCS:
Get trainingon research methods — research is a path to power
Conduct a research project to improve the mental health and wellbeing focused on their schools during the school year and New Orleans as a whole during the summer program
Share research projects and recommendations with school administrators and the entire community during showcases
Are paid for their participation and parents are compensated for transportation
Peer Supports & Leadership Pipeline:
Undergraduate service learning students from Xavier, Loyola, and Tulane Universities facilitateand guide YPAR for their younger peers
Little ROCCS has collaborated with CYPB Revolutionary Researchers, and some have graduated to join CYPB Youth Advisory Board
CforCS is working toward a continuum of YPAR programs throughout New Orleans between partners like CYPB and E2E to amplify and coordinate youth voice and youth-led advocacy through YPAR
CforCS YPAR program has grown to include parents / primary caregivers for participatory action research
Engagement & Research Results:
From 2023 through May 2026, CforCS has trained 62 youth researchers with 22 undergraduate facilitators
Some outcomes from Little ROCCS projects are youth-created professional development workshops for educators and school-adopted strategies to decrease screens in the classroom experience
“A measure of any society's health is directly linked to the wellbeing of its children.
The Youth Master Plan is the first essential step to creating a truly equitable New Orleans. We can't call decisions, policies, or any actions truly equitable unless it includes the voices of the people that will be affected by it the most. Especially when thinking about our most vulnerable population, our children, who historically, do not make any decisions but have to live with the consequences. The Youth Master Plan can change that dynamic for New Orleans.
The Youth Master Plan should be a promise from the City of New Orleans to its children that embodies the City's dedication to its people.”
— Dr. Allisyn L. Swift
Executive Director, Coalition for Compassionate Schools, Tulane University
How CforCS is Youth Master Plan Aligned:
✓ YOUTH VOICE
Youth Development Public Awareness Campaign (YV1)
Expanding Youth Decision Making Opportunities (YV3)
Inclusive Youth Leadership Outreach (YV4)
✓ ECONOMIC STABILITY
Early Exposure to Career Options & Training (ES2)
✓ HEALTH & WELL-BEING
Caregiver Mental Health (HWB 2)
Trainings on Youth Safety & Agency (HWB3)
✓ LEARNING
Youth Development Training (L2)
Non-punitive, Supportive School Cultures (L3)
Student Voice in School Experience (L4)
✓ SAFETY & JUSTICE
Culturally Appropriate Prevention Approaches (SJ1)
Positive Behavior Interventions (SJ4)
Shoutout From the Shoutout:
CforCS works with so many partners to make Little ROCCS happen:
School Partners: Community Academies of New Orleans (CANO), Warren Easton, New Harmony High, Homer Plessy Middle School, ReNew Schaumburg, ReNew Laurel, KIPP Leadership Academy
University Partners: Tulane, Xavier, Loyola
YPAR Partners: CYPB, E2E, Beloved Community
Community Partners: TEP Center, BeLoud Radio
