Reports and Publications :: 2001 Report

Introduction

This report describes the 2001 recommendations of the Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth and Families (the Partnership). The Partnership was established by the School and County Boards in late 1999 in response to a recommendation from the Task Force on Youth that there be a permanent group of citizens and School and County staff working together to develop a consistent community agenda for Arlington's children and their families. The Boards charged the Partnership with the following:

1. Develop a community vision for children, youth, and families, including measures of success.
2. Facilitate community involvement in developing goals.
3. Develop recommended strategies, programs, and services to meet those goals.
4. Create a forum for collaboration among community residents, public and private service providers, schools, non-profit organizations, the faith community, and other persons interested in the Partnerships mission.
5. Review and disseminate data on a continual basis on the status of children, youth, and families in Arlington.
6. Develop strategies to enhance community resources to address identified needs of children, youth and families.

  The Partnership consists of 24 members, 16 of whom are citizens and eight of whom are senior level staff from the Schools and County agencies dealing with children, youth and families. A Coordinator and a Data Coordinator support the work of the Partnership. In addition, the Partnership has begun cultivating a core group of young people to provide the essential youth perspective.

In setting initial parameters for its agenda, the Partnership embraced three broad goals identified by the Task Force on Youth. The goals are in the areas of

1. School readiness and success;
2. Activities and opportunities for youth;
3. Health and mental health services for children and their families.