Transforming Together: Implementation Guide
• Cultural and identity development: Increased offerings for and participation in culturally-specific programming and networks; increased number of programs that advance or address issues of racial equity and justice. • Crime prevention and juvenile justice reform: Reduced involvement in the juvenile justice system; increased participation in restorative justice programs; reduced juvenile justice referrals from education, foster care, and other systems. Finally, because health, human services, and education agencies in California already conduct various forms of needs determination, county leaders need to understand what efforts already take place and how communities respond–before setting out to design any added engagement efforts. Key Component: Authentic Community and Family Participation Engaging families and youth in decision- making is supported by decades of research; it is foundational to building strong, responsive systems of care. At the same time, agencies may fall short— and risk appearing disingenuous—when they “engage” community and family voices, particularly those who have been marginalized, without providing the support needed to participate meaningfully in these often complicated processes and without compensating them for time taken away from work or other commitments.
vision of “keeping children and youth at home” could be measured by permanency or entry into the child welfare system, or by students in school who are homeless or placed out of home due to special education needs. Partners can decide which of these measures–or both, or others–best reflect the change they hope to see (and the data they have ready access to). Remembering that local systems already assess many things, the what to measure could include: • Mental health and emotional wellbeing:
Reduced rates of youth mental health challenges, including suicidality and
externalizing behaviors; increased access to mental health resources; increased positive coping skills. • Education and academic success: Improved academic performance; increased graduation rates; increased enrollment in college and career programs; reduction in school absenteeism. • Physical health and safety: Reduced rates of substance use and abuse; increased physical activity and access to recreational programs; safe and clean environments. • Youth engagement: Increased youth involvement in community decision-making; volunteerism. • Social connectedness and support networks: Stronger peer relationships; stronger positive social interactions; increased mentorship; increased family engagement. • Economic opportunity and workforce opportunities: Increased access to and/or completion of financial literacy education;
increased access to and participation in internship opportunities; increased employment rates.
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