A Background on aA Background on a Shared Youth Vision Shared Youth Vision

Information for Our Council ChairsInformation for Our Council Chairs

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In This PresentationIn This Presentation

A Background on a Shared Youth Vision

The Federal Shared Youth Vision

Maine Children’s Cabinet

The Task Force to Engage Maine’s Youth

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The Federal Shared Youth The Federal Shared Youth Vision PartnershipVision Partnership

http://www.doleta.gov/ryf/ http://www.doleta.gov/ryf/

A Federal Partnership between the United States Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Labor, Transportation, the United States

Social Security Administration, and the Corporation for National & Community Service.

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Creating a Collaborative Approach Creating a Collaborative Approach to Prepare Youth for Success in a to Prepare Youth for Success in a Global, Demand-Driven EconomyGlobal, Demand-Driven Economy

In response to the In response to the 2003 White House Task 2003 White House Task Force Report for Disadvantaged Youth, Force Report for Disadvantaged Youth, a a Federal Interagency Work Group was Federal Interagency Work Group was created to:created to:enhance communication, coordination, and enhance communication, coordination, and collaboration among Federal agencies, andcollaboration among Federal agencies, and

ensure that well-designed and coordinated ensure that well-designed and coordinated programs provide the neediest youth opportunities programs provide the neediest youth opportunities to successfully transition to adult roles and to successfully transition to adult roles and responsibilities. responsibilities.

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ObjectivesObjectivesDevelop and coordinate policy, within existing Develop and coordinate policy, within existing policy structures, to address the needs of our policy structures, to address the needs of our neediest youthneediest youth

Maximize interagency collaborations to utilize Maximize interagency collaborations to utilize the significant expertise within specific Federal the significant expertise within specific Federal agenciesagencies

Develop innovative approaches that efficiently Develop innovative approaches that efficiently and effectively respond to serving youthand effectively respond to serving youth

Enhance the quality of service delivery and Enhance the quality of service delivery and improve efficienciesimprove efficiencies

Improve the outcomes for the youth we serveImprove the outcomes for the youth we serve

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Federal Youth Vision PartnersFederal Youth Vision Partners

US Department of EducationUS Department of EducationUS Department of Health & Human ServicesUS Department of Health & Human ServicesUS Department of Housing & Urban US Department of Housing & Urban DevelopmentDevelopmentUS Department of JusticeUS Department of JusticeUS Department of LaborUS Department of LaborUS Department of TransportationUS Department of TransportationSocial Security AdministrationSocial Security AdministrationCorporation for National & Community ServiceCorporation for National & Community Service

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COLLABORATIONCOLLABORATION

IS THE KEY!IS THE KEY!

Working together the Working together the

Federal Partners have Federal Partners have accomplished the following:accomplished the following:

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Prioritized investments for:Prioritized investments for:

Youth in foster care or aging out of foster careYouth in foster care or aging out of foster careChildren of incarcerated parentsChildren of incarcerated parentsCourt involved youth or those at-risk of Court involved youth or those at-risk of involvementinvolvementMigrant youthMigrant youthYouth with disabilitiesYouth with disabilitiesNative American youthNative American youthHomeless and runaway youthHomeless and runaway youthOut of school youthOut of school youthHigh school drop-outsHigh school drop-outs

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Identified State Challenges and Identified State Challenges and Federal Opportunities:Federal Opportunities:

The need for information on The need for information on resources and services across resources and services across programs/agenciesprograms/agencies

Engagement of state/tribal leadershipEngagement of state/tribal leadership

Models for collaborationModels for collaboration

Common message/common languageCommon message/common language

Continued support of teamsContinued support of teams

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In response to requests for In response to requests for additional resources:additional resources:

A “Solutions Desk” was created to provideA “Solutions Desk” was created to provide a a technical assistance (TA) resource that will:technical assistance (TA) resource that will:

Provide a gateway to each of the federal Provide a gateway to each of the federal partners’ resource centers, clearinghouses, and partners’ resource centers, clearinghouses, and training and technical assistance providers, and training and technical assistance providers, and

Assist State Teams with their Shared Youth Assist State Teams with their Shared Youth Vision activities.Vision activities.

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The Federal Partnership is The Federal Partnership is Moving Forward!Moving Forward!

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Resources:Resources:

White House Task Force for Disadvantaged Youth Final Report,White House Task Force for Disadvantaged Youth Final Report, October 2003October 2003

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/content/docs/white_house_taskffohttp://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/content/docs/white_house_taskfforce.pdfrce.pdf

““New Strategic Vision for the Delivery of Youth Services Under New Strategic Vision for the Delivery of Youth Services Under the Workforce Investment Act.”the Workforce Investment Act.” (Training & Guidance Letter No 3-04, (Training & Guidance Letter No 3-04,

http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEGL3-04.pdfhttp://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEGL3-04.pdf

““TEGL 28-05: Expanding ETA’s Vision for the Delivery of Youth TEGL 28-05: Expanding ETA’s Vision for the Delivery of Youth Services Under WIA to Include Indian and Native American Services Under WIA to Include Indian and Native American Youth and Youth with Disabilities.” Youth and Youth with Disabilities.” http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2224http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2224

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Maine Children’s CabinetMaine Children’s Cabinet

http://maine.gov/cabinet/http://maine.gov/cabinet/

The mission of the Children's Cabinet is to actively collaborate to create and promote coordinated policies

and service delivery systems that support children, families and communities.

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History of the Children’s CabinetHistory of the Children’s Cabinet

In 1995, The Children's Cabinet was established to In 1995, The Children's Cabinet was established to oversee and coordinate the delivery of services to oversee and coordinate the delivery of services to children and youth in Maine. The Children's Cabinet was children and youth in Maine. The Children's Cabinet was then composed of the departments of: Corrections, then composed of the departments of: Corrections, Education, Health & Human Services, and Public Safety. Education, Health & Human Services, and Public Safety. In September of 2003In September of 2003 Governor John E. Baldacci Governor John E. Baldacci appointed First Lady Karen M. Baldacci Chair of the appointed First Lady Karen M. Baldacci Chair of the Maine Children's Cabinet and the statute was amended Maine Children's Cabinet and the statute was amended to also include the Department of Labor as a full to also include the Department of Labor as a full standing member. standing member. As you can see Maine has once again been ahead of the As you can see Maine has once again been ahead of the Federal curve!Federal curve!

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Based upon the belief that children's needs are best met Based upon the belief that children's needs are best met within the context of relationships at the family and within the context of relationships at the family and

community levels, the vision of the Children's Cabinet is that:community levels, the vision of the Children's Cabinet is that:

The value we place on children and youth…The value we place on children and youth…– Children respected, safe and nurtured in their communities;Children respected, safe and nurtured in their communities;– Children succeeding in school and schools succeding for children; Children succeeding in school and schools succeding for children;

andand– Youth Prepared to enter the work force. Youth Prepared to enter the work force.

The value we place on families…The value we place on families…– Families having opportunities to work and play;Families having opportunities to work and play;– Families recognizing the rewards and responsibilities of raising Families recognizing the rewards and responsibilities of raising

children; andchildren; and– Families living safe and healthy lives.Families living safe and healthy lives.

The value we place on communities…The value we place on communities…– Communities capable of meeting the needs of children and families Communities capable of meeting the needs of children and families

in all of their diversity;in all of their diversity;– Communities creating collaborative partnerships;Communities creating collaborative partnerships;– Communities promoting and modeling clear standards of behavior; Communities promoting and modeling clear standards of behavior;

andand– Communities keeping children and families at the heart of all Communities keeping children and families at the heart of all

decisionsdecisions

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How the Children’s Cabinet adds How the Children’s Cabinet adds Public ValuePublic Value

Coordinates approaches to the delivery of services;Coordinates approaches to the delivery of services;

Establishes administrative priorities across departments and Establishes administrative priorities across departments and agencies/bureaus;agencies/bureaus;

Distributes through its Senior Staff and the Regional Children’s Distributes through its Senior Staff and the Regional Children’s Cabinets Pooled Flexible Funds to fill one-time family needs where Cabinets Pooled Flexible Funds to fill one-time family needs where there is no other eligibility-related service available to keep a child or there is no other eligibility-related service available to keep a child or teen safely in the home;teen safely in the home;

Leverages resources both human (staff) and financial, that Leverages resources both human (staff) and financial, that maximizes funding by collaborative grants and best use of federal maximizes funding by collaborative grants and best use of federal funding streams, as mandates allow.funding streams, as mandates allow.

Operationalizes the Governor’s commitment to creating better Operationalizes the Governor’s commitment to creating better outcomes for children and youth in Maine.outcomes for children and youth in Maine.

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Former SystemFormer System Renewed SystemRenewed SystemProblems reach crisis stage before action is taken. 

Prevention and early intervention solve emerging problems well before they reach the crisis stage. 

Thousands of family problems receive minimal or no response either by the State or private system because of a lack of resources. 

A child or family receives help the first time it is requested.

Community and State agencies act independently of each other. 

Community and State agencies work collaboratively to find solutions for high needs kids with low assets. 

Schools have limited options to deal with the problems of children, culminating in policies of expulsion and suspension.

Schools and communities develop a capacity to deal with emerging problems within the school and community system.

Juvenile cases are handled with "retributive justice".

Juvenile cases are handled with "restorative justice".

Media highlights violence. Media highlights well being of children and families.

Voices of young people rarely heard in shaping youth policy.

Young people communicate their needs and desire in shaping policy and are heard.

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The work of the Cabinet is accomplished through the The work of the Cabinet is accomplished through the efforts of the Commissioners and the Senior Staff efforts of the Commissioners and the Senior Staff representing each department, the Regional Children’s representing each department, the Regional Children’s Cabinets composed of staff from each department, staff Cabinets composed of staff from each department, staff working together from each department, all working working together from each department, all working collaboratively with various local and regional partners. collaboratively with various local and regional partners. One of the hallmarks of the Cabinet’s approach to its One of the hallmarks of the Cabinet’s approach to its work is the close collaboration it has formed with the work is the close collaboration it has formed with the University of Maine, primarily through the Edmund S. University of Maine, primarily through the Edmund S. Muskie Institute for Public Sector Innovation. Muskie Institute for Public Sector Innovation.

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The Task Force to Engage The Task Force to Engage Maine’s YouthMaine’s Youth

http://www.mainesupportnetwork.org/taskforce/http://www.mainesupportnetwork.org/taskforce/

The mission of the task force is to promote success for all youth by engaging school age youth and their families in

educational and/or vocational programming. 

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The Governor’s MandateThe Governor’s Mandate

The specific mandate was to:The specific mandate was to:– create by June 30, 2007 a collaborative plan create by June 30, 2007 a collaborative plan

identifying strategies to engage Maine’s youth into identifying strategies to engage Maine’s youth into school and work school and work

– review state and national research and data on review state and national research and data on challenges and solutionschallenges and solutions

– develop by December, 2006 statewide policy and develop by December, 2006 statewide policy and legislation that ensures any student experiencing legislation that ensures any student experiencing disruption in their educational program and/or disruption in their educational program and/or receives instruction in non-traditional settings are receives instruction in non-traditional settings are awarded credits or competency of standards that awarded credits or competency of standards that meet Maine state graduation requirements based on meet Maine state graduation requirements based on demonstrated skill acquisition. demonstrated skill acquisition.

– report findings to the Governor and Commissioners.  report findings to the Governor and Commissioners. 

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Questions that guided the Task Questions that guided the Task ForceForce

Why are youth becoming disengaged from Why are youth becoming disengaged from school and/or work?school and/or work?

Who are these youth?Who are these youth?

What are current strategies?What are current strategies?

How do community and state resources How do community and state resources connect with schools?connect with schools?

How do we prevent youth from disengaging, How do we prevent youth from disengaging, intervene when they are at risk and re-engage intervene when they are at risk and re-engage youth when they have left school and work?youth when they have left school and work?

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Reasons for ConcernReasons for ConcernIn 2004 Maine experienced a 75% increase in the number of teens, ages In 2004 Maine experienced a 75% increase in the number of teens, ages 16 to 19, who were not in school or working, pushing the share of idle 16 to 19, who were not in school or working, pushing the share of idle teens to 4,527 or 7% of youth (Maine Children’s Alliance)teens to 4,527 or 7% of youth (Maine Children’s Alliance)As of January, 2006, 2255 children were in the care and custody of As of January, 2006, 2255 children were in the care and custody of DHHS.DHHS.Of the 1,048 youth that entered care since 10/1/04 and were still in care Of the 1,048 youth that entered care since 10/1/04 and were still in care as of 11/1/06as of 11/1/06– 38% (399) youth have had 1 placement,38% (399) youth have had 1 placement,– 28.5% (300) have had 2 placements,28.5% (300) have had 2 placements,– 17% (179) have had 3 placements and17% (179) have had 3 placements and– 16.1% (170) have had 4 or more placements in that 2 year period.16.1% (170) have had 4 or more placements in that 2 year period.

1,141 youth were reported as homeless by DOE (2006)1,141 youth were reported as homeless by DOE (2006)In 2005 there were 417 committals to juvenile correctional facilities and In 2005 there were 417 committals to juvenile correctional facilities and 1,870 children and youth were detained (Maine DOC)1,870 children and youth were detained (Maine DOC)School administrators report that 35% to 45% of their students are “at School administrators report that 35% to 45% of their students are “at risk” (JMG, 2006)risk” (JMG, 2006)

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Target PopulationTarget Population

The recommendations are designed to address The recommendations are designed to address the challenges of Maine’s youth who are not the challenges of Maine’s youth who are not engaged, or who are at risk of disengaging from engaged, or who are at risk of disengaging from school or work. Disengagement may result from school or work. Disengagement may result from a variety of conditions that may or may not be a variety of conditions that may or may not be within the youth’s control. They include issues within the youth’s control. They include issues related to high mobility as often experienced byrelated to high mobility as often experienced by– youth in the foster care system, youth in the foster care system, – youth with psychiatric illness, youth with psychiatric illness, – youth who are homeless, youth who are homeless, – youth who live in poverty and youth who live in poverty and – youth who are involved in the juvenile justice system.youth who are involved in the juvenile justice system.

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The Task Force’s The Task Force’s RecommendationsRecommendations

1.1. Increase capacity to identify, track and analyze the status of youth Increase capacity to identify, track and analyze the status of youth to inform decision making, allocate resources, and assure to inform decision making, allocate resources, and assure accountability to Maine’s youth and families.accountability to Maine’s youth and families.

2.2. Provide equitable access to a spectrum of high quality learning Provide equitable access to a spectrum of high quality learning and service opportunities utilizing a youth-driven, family-centered and service opportunities utilizing a youth-driven, family-centered approach to policy development, services and supports.approach to policy development, services and supports.

3.3. Collaborate to develop a process so agencies can cross-Collaborate to develop a process so agencies can cross-reference outcomes or policies and services for implementation, reference outcomes or policies and services for implementation, efficiency, and reduction of cross-purpose programmingefficiency, and reduction of cross-purpose programming

4.4. Implement and evaluate “An act to implement the Implement and evaluate “An act to implement the recommendations of the task force to engage Maine’s youth recommendations of the task force to engage Maine’s youth regarding successful school completion. regarding successful school completion.

5.5. The final recommendation calls for an annual cross-departmental The final recommendation calls for an annual cross-departmental report to the Governor that cites the status of the action steps report to the Governor that cites the status of the action steps contained in the report and the impact on policy and program contained in the report and the impact on policy and program changes.changes.

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NowNow the Shared Youth Vision the Shared Youth Vision Moves Moves Forward…Forward…

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What are we asked to do?What are we asked to do?We are asked to promote collaboration and We are asked to promote collaboration and improved communications among the various state improved communications among the various state agencies and community based partners.agencies and community based partners.We are asked to lead the effort to advise and We are asked to lead the effort to advise and address issues confronting youth ages 9-24 in address issues confronting youth ages 9-24 in transitions.transitions.We are asked to be guides of the development and We are asked to be guides of the development and implementation of strategic plans.implementation of strategic plans.We are asked to review all child/youth population We are asked to review all child/youth population needs with priority given to those youth in transition.needs with priority given to those youth in transition.We are asked, will we answer?We are asked, will we answer?

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The Partnership PriorityThe Partnership Priority

The Council shall focus on the following The Council shall focus on the following Partnership Priorities, determine goals and Partnership Priorities, determine goals and primary action steps to address each over time primary action steps to address each over time that are aligned with the Task Force that are aligned with the Task Force recommendations, and evaluate progress:recommendations, and evaluate progress:

1.1. Public and Private PartnershipsPublic and Private Partnerships

2.2. Youth and FamilyYouth and Family

3.3. Community Community

4.4. Fiscal ResourcesFiscal Resources