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City Platform Section I, Step 1:
"Identify needs, opportunities, and priorities for future action through a city commission, mayor's task force, or other group that brings together leaders from the public, private and non-profit sectors as well as parents and other community residents."
City officials can instigate new activities to strengthen families, coordinate existing efforts, and institutionalize ongoing assessment and planning activities by creating an organizational body responsible for addressing local issues related to children and families. In addition, a commission or task force provides an opportunity to build partnerships and bring new voices to the table through an inclusive membership.
City Examples
Minneapolis, Minn.
The Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board (YCB) was created in 1986 through a state-authorized joint powers agreement between the City of Minneapolis, the public schools, the Park and Recreation Board, the Public Library Board, and the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners. Its thirteen-member board includes elected officials representing the partners and a Minneapolis member from both the Minnesota House of Representatives and State Senate. The Board also includes functional leaders of the YCB partner entities and the three area foundations as ex-officio members.
In April 2005, the YCB adopted an agenda and action steps for enhancing healthy child and youth development by 2020. The Board also manages a school readiness initiative to mobilize time, talent, and resources to boost the number of children who enter Minneapolis kindergarten ready to learn, and serves as the home of Minneapolis Redesign, a family services collaborative using integrated funding for a variety of programs and collaborations designed to increase student achievement.
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Alexandria, Va.
The City of Alexandria, Va., has two standing commissions charged with setting a vision for children and youth, preparing annual status reports, coordinating local responses to emerging issues, and making policy and funding recommendations to City Council, the Early Childhood Commission (ECC), and the Youth Policy Commission (YPC).
The School Board and the City Council appoint the 25 members of the ECC. These appointments must include a mix of interests, including parents, teachers, child care managers, health and mental health professionals, business leaders, child development experts, and other interested parties. The YPC has 20 members, including parents, youth, business representatives, youth-serving agencies, health professionals, the School Board, and other stakeholders.
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Resources
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