2001 RECOMMENDATION

TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY

STATUS

In FY 04, provide subsidies and 1 additional worker to cover an additional 100 families up to 200% of poverty level.

DHS

DHS has announced that it intends to develop a county-wide strategic plan that will guide the level of any additional child care resources in FY 05 and beyond. Child care remains a key issue on the Partnership’s agenda. The Partnership intends to participate in the strategic planning process and advocate for increasing quality child care availability.

In FY 03, identify and assist unregulated child care providers in the community to get training and licenses by funding a non-profit child care outreach position.

Community non-profit, through DHS contract. Coop-eration from DHS child care staff.

Not funded. Presumably this strategy may be considered in the forthcoming strategic plan.

Work with State legislative delegates to explore how to provide health benefits for child care providers in the FY 03 Legislative package.

County Board

Not acted on.

Conduct a media campaign to increase child care provider outreach and recruitment, especially for infants.

Non-profits, faith communities, media

Not acted on.

In FY 03, evaluate training needs for DHS child care staff, center based and in-home providers, and parents in recognizing developmental delays and linking children to services.

DHS child care staff and public health staff

The DHS Child Care Office is linking interested providers to a certificate program on infant/toddler development at No. Virginia Community College. This semester, DHS is paying for 23 licensed Arlington providers to attend a course which will help them recognize developmental delays among children in their care.

Explore innovative options for making more space avail-able to child care centers and early childhood programs (such as Head Start, Early Head Start, and the Schools 4-year olds initiative) through incentives for developers, no/low interest loans for renovations to churches, etc.

County Board, School Board, planning, zoning, and economic development staff

The County is working with Head Start to consolidate its class-rooms into space at Arlington Mill and the George Mason Center. This would free up the 4 classrooms currently used by Head Start at Langston-Brown for additional early childhood programs. The Schools’ Reed Site Master Plan allocates space for early childhood programs. There is no indication of any space made available through private developments. A federal Early Head Start grant to No. Virginia Family Service covers renovations for a child care center at the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington. The Schools are considering 9 additional early childhood classrooms for 04.

In FY 03, expand the level of parent education services, outreach, and strategic coordination among parenting programs within the community by increasing DHS Parent Education Program resources from 1 (current) to 3 positions.

DHS (also consider support from Schools)

Not funded. After this recommendation was submitted, DHS contracted an additional study on parent education needs. This report was completed in the summer of 2002. DHS has requested updated information regarding this report. DHS intends for the need for additional parent education resources to be examined again in the strategic plan for FY 05 and beyond. Parent education remains a key issue on the Partnership agenda. The Partnership intends to participate in the strategic planning process and advocate for additional parent education resources.

In FY 03, identify the level of County funding needed in FY 04 to expand and institutionalize existing parenting programs (County and community-based) to meet the full need and to ensure a broad spectrum of parenting resources for the full range of families—from high functioning to high-risk, and to include working and stay-at-home parents.

DHS Parent Education Coordinator, gathering cost projections from each program manager. Funds to come through DHS.

Not done. Presumably the forthcoming strategic plan for FY 05 and beyond will indicate the level of resources needed to support the full spectrum of parent education needs.

In 2003-2004, recruit and designate one or more Arlington Public Schools as a full-service community school.

Study team of School staff and Partnership members

The Partnership has appointed a committee to initiate the needed research. The Partnership’s timeline for designating a community school has been extended, and Kenmore is no longer viewed as a potential site. A group of Partnership members attended the Community Schools conference in June 2002. The committee plans to do a research review and develop a concept paper as a working guide; recruit a pilot school; seek approval from the School Board to go forward; assemble a ground-level committee; finalize and implement a plan by 2005.

Systematically review, with student input, the effectiveness of conflict resolution and harassment prevention programs in the schools, including peer mediation.

Schools-Student Services and Instruction with student input

In the 2002-03 school year, fund 8 half-time Community Resource Coordinator positions to connect students in middle, high, and special programs with a wider breadth of non-school activities in the community. (This is separate from the Activities Coordinators positions added by the Schools in FY 02 to connect students to school-based activities.)

Community Activities Fund, with input from Partnership on the design of the position.

Not funded. The Partnership’s belief is that students will try new activities in the community through the strength of their relation-ships with trusted adult coordinators. Even though these positions were not funded, the need for improved linkages for students to non-school based activities has been responded to in various ways by the Schools, the County’s Recreation Division and community–based youth service providers. PRCR’s Recreation Division has compiled a directory of its activities for middle and high-schoolers; and in November 2002, it held a widely attended activities fair showcasing community activities available to teens. The Partner-ship has facilitated increased communication between School and Recreation staff to strengthen collaboration. The Partnership advocates that the current APS half-time middle school activities coordinators be increased to full-time for FY 04, and expanding their duties to help students connect with non-school activities.

In FY 03, enhance the GET REAL NOW web site with an up-to-date database-driven activities and events calendar for teens.

Dept. of Libraries

Funded for FY 03. The Get Real Teen Calendar coordinator will begin work in December 2002 and will work directly for the Partnership as a DHS employee.

Encourage youth-serving organizations to solicit youth input in their planning and activities, and to consider barriers to youth access, such as affordability, transportation issues, language, and comfort level.

The Boards, Partnership

The Partnership continues to raise awareness around the need for youth input and access in planning efforts throughout the community. For example, the Partnership discussed the possibility of including more youth in grants reviews by the United Way; and Parks and Recreation has provided shuttle bus transportation for its after-school activities for teens. It is our hope that the Boards and the community at large also consider these as important issues.

In FY 03 conduct a feasibility study with strong youth involvement on the design of one or more teen centers.

PRCR, with input from the Partnership Youth Involvement Committee

PRCR is addressing the need for a teen center (s) through its Open Space Master Plan. Partnership Board members will participate in the community Master Plan process as it moves forward. If a teen center is included in the final set of recommendations in spring 2003, there would be a 2-3 year bond and design process prior to any actual construction of a center(s).

In FY 03, launch a county-wide campaign to promote volunteering, particularly among youth.

County Volunteer Office, with support from businesses

Not acted on. There has been a staff change in the County office and the Partnership will encourage the new staff member to follow through on this recommendation.

In 2002-03, explore the incorporation of community service into students’ school work by giving academic credit for volunteer work. Implement in 04-05.

Schools, with assistance from the County Volunteer Office in identifying service opportunities.

Based on the intensive level of effort already underway to integrate the Assets Framework into the Arlington Public Schools, as well as the initiative to pilot a community school, the Partnership Board has determined that a concurrent school-focused initiative around community service for credit is not appropriate at this time. However, the Assets and Youth Involvement Committees will continue to promote opportunities for community service for youth.

In FY 03, support efforts to enhance youth employment opportunities through the Arlington Employment Center.

County Board, DHS Economic Independence Division

The FY 03 budget included $28,500 in funding for a part-time position to sustain the previously volunteer-run Teen Expo, which links teens with summer employment. In addition the County Manager’s proposed LPACAP plan includes FY 04 funds for improved youth employment resources through the Arlington Employment Center. Neither position has been recruited.

In FY 03, identify the level of FY 04 County funding needed to expand and institutionalize early intervention programs such as mentoring, parenting instruction, and home-visiting, for at-risk families with young children, especially teen parents.

DHS Child and Family Services staff, collecting evaluation data and information on expansion costs from County and community providers.

Not done. Presumably, the forthcoming strategic plan for FY 05 and beyond will indicate the level of resources needed for early intervention services in the community, including mentoring, parenting instruction, and home-visiting for at-risk families with young children, especially teen parents.

Enhance the level of qualified mental health support available to students; train School staff, parents and students in recognizing and responding to signs of anxiety, depression, or suicide ideation. (3 positions-one each for elementary, middle and high school level).

DHS, Schools

Not funded through the FY 03 budget. The Partnership has since identified this as its #1 priority for pending LPACAP funding. Survey data on depression levels among Arlington youth reflect significantly higher levels for Arlington compared to other communities. The County Manager’s draft LPACAP plan includes $300,000 for mental health therapists to serve in 10 schools, who will help train parents on recognizing depression and anxiety. The Schools are training high school and middle school teachers on suicide prevention (and to some extent, signs of depression) by late February 03. Grades 4-5 teachers will be trained in the fall of 03. Student training on suicide prevention is being piloted at Yorktown this year. The Partnership will continue to monitor LPACAP developments and efforts with the Schools, DHS and the PTAs concerning mental health in the school community.

In FY 03, use Partnership survey data to target areas of greatest risk for our young people, and develop awareness and prevention campaigns in FY 04. Include youth in design and execution of the campaigns.

Partnership Youth Group, Vanguard, CrisisLink, Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry, businesses, parents

The campaign will be implemented over an 18-month process through the leadership of a new committee, with assistance from public relations/marketing professionals and funders. The campaign strategy will be assets-focused.

In FY 03 explore opportunities for developing sex education and prevention dialogue beyond what is allowed in the schools in community settings for FY 04. Include youth in review of existing materials/programs and design of new ones.

Continuation of Partnership work group on sexuality, with youth involvement and representatives from non-profits, faith community, parents etc.

Supplement Partnership capacity with an Assets Liaison and an administrative support position.

County and School Board

An Assets Liaison position was funded for FY 03. The position was filled in November 2002. (No admin support funding.)