Youth Master Plans and Other Comprehensive Plans for Children and Youth

Brighton, Colorado (Population: 20,905)
Brighton used NLC's City Platform for Strengthening Families to guide its youth master planning process.  The city enlisted more than 200 youth and adults through seven action committees that focused on each area in section two of the platform: early childhood success, education and afterschool, youth development, health and safety, youth in transition, family economic success, and neighborhoods and community.

Brighton Youth Master Plan Section 1 »
Brighton Youth Master Plan Section 2 »
Brighton Youth Master Plan Section 3 »

Claremont, California (Population: 33,998)
Claremont's Youth Master Plan youth master plan was the community's response to changing demographics and increased needs for children and families. The plan identifies 10 goals and includes both an implementation strategy and a monitoring system. Approximately 15 programs have been created since the start of the plan.  

Results of this planning process included a reduced crime rate, increased program efficiency and effectiveness, reduced cost, and increase in overall well-being of youth in Claremont.

Claremont Youth Master Plan » 
Claremont Youth Master Plan Update 2006-07 »

Hampton, Virginia (Population: 146,137)
The Hampton Coalition for Youth brings together a wide range of community stakeholders to build a broad foundation of support for the healthy development of youth and to protect the city's investment in young people. The coalition's goal is that all young people will have: somewhere to go, something to do, someone to care, and some way to contribute.

Hampton Community Plan »

Lakewood, Ohio (Population: 56,646)
Lakewood developed a youth master plan in response to changing demographics and increased service needs for children and families.  Stakeholders involved in the process included youth, parents, schools, the city, and many civic organizations.  Their collective vision is that "All youth and families belong and thrive" in Lakewood.

Lakewood Youth Master Plan »

Newport News, Virginia (Population: 180,150)
Newport's youth master plan was a vision of the Youth Development Task Force, which recognized that the city was in need of a clear, consistent vision for youth and a proactive approach to providing youth with development supports for a healthy lifestyle.  This strategic plan reflects the belief that youth are a valuable resource, recognizes the importance of youth and adult partnerships, and recommends that youth should be actively engaged in the growth and development of a community. 

Results from this youth master plan include developing more opportunities for youth to provide input to addressing community issues, identifying opportunities for youth in several activities (internships, employment, and volunteer services), and increasing awareness of resources available to youth.

Newport News Strategic Plan for Youth »

Omaha, Nebraska (Population: 390,007)
Under the leadership of Mayor Mike Fahey, the City of Omaha developed a comprehensive strategic plan for "Investing in Omaha's Children and Youth" in April 2007.  The goal of this effort is to ensure that all Omaha youth receive the education, training, and support needed to enable and motivate them to seize economic opportunities and achieve a productive future.

Investing in Omaha's Children and Youth Strategic Plan »

San Jose, California (Population: 894,943)
San Jose's youth master plan was designed to provide safe opportunities for youth to be successful and productive. It currently serves as a framework for the city's youth services and educational support and identifies specific outcomes for city and community programs. 

Results from this youth master plan include programs to improve elementary school students' achievement, development of programs to encourage post-secondary education and quality of early care programs, as well as initiatives to promote youth leadership.

San Jose Youth Master Plan »

Thousand Oaks, California (Population: 117,005)
Thousand Oaks' youth master plan was designed to create a more "youth friendly," safe, and supportive community, assure that all youth-related policy and planning involved the local community, as well as public and private sectors that will utilize the information in the youth master plan.  They also sought to improve and increase awareness of resources, programs, and activities for youth involvement. 

Results of their study highlighted youth issues as they relate to entertainment, transportation, communication, leadership, inclusion and diversity, and social/human services.

Thousand Oaks Youth Master Plan »

Additional City Examples

La Canada Flintridge, California Youth Master Plan (Population: 20,318) »
North Fair Oaks neighborhood, Redwood City, California Youth Master Plan »
Pomona, California Youth Master Plan (Population: 149,473) »
Santa Clarita, California Youth Master Plan (Population: 151,088) »
Sierra Madre, California Youth Master Plan (Population: 10,578) »
Vacaville, California Youth Master Plan (Population: 88,625) »