Strategic Plan for Children and Youth - Introduction
Almost a year ago, the managers and supervisors within the Department of Community Services gathered together to identify the challenges, opportunities and roadblocks that face us in the years to come. We came away from that meeting with CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES clearly at the top of our agenda. Shortly thereafter, members of the Board of Supervisors raised questions on issues related to children and youth services and how we plan, organize and evaluate services to children and their families.
When we look objectively at the services provided and the resources allocated to children and youth services in our community, one could conclude that we do a credible job of providing services to children. However, it was clear that there were many things we did not know and needed to know before we could forge a strategic direction. Questions were raised about service coordination and duplication. There were also questions about priorities among service providers and an apparent lack of evaluation data on program and services offered.
The issues raised about children and youth services in the community prompted us to conduct a comprehensive study and to formulate a Strategic Plan for Children and Youth Services in the County. More than six months later, we present a draft product to the Board and in fact the community for review. In doing so, we set forth the following vision:
All children and youth in our community will be valued as an asset, and as such, will be given every opportunity to grow up healthy, safe and prepared for a positive future.