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Reports and Publications ::
2003 Report
Establishment of the Arlington Teen Network Board
The 1998-99 Arlington Task Force on Youth, which resulted in the establishment of the Partnership, stressed the importance of involving youth in the development and oversight of county programs and services. During its first three years of work, the Partnership encouraged and invited teens to have a voice through focus groups, a teen retreat, several youth forums, invitations to Partnership public meetings and events, and a teen e-mail list.
Teens attending the Partnership's spring 2002 youth voice forum stressed the importance of establishing a county-wide group of teens to meet on a regular basis to ensure that Arlington teens have a voice in the work of the Partnership. In response, a committee of teens and adult Partnership members led by Judy Hadden developed the Arlington Teen Network Board, which is based on youth involvement "best practices." The first 24 Teen Network Board members were recruited by the committee and appointed by Arlington's County Board and School Board in July 2003. Network Board members must be 14-18 and reflect the diversity of Arlington teens, including needs, interests and cultures.
Activities of the Teen Network
Teen Network Board members meet monthly with Judy Hadden to share and discuss teen issues and needs, as well as advocate for appropriate actions. The Teen Network Board is an integral part of the Partnership, but it meets and sets its agenda as a parallel group. Network Board members attend Partnership meetings to share their ideas and recommendations. Likewise, Partnership members attend Teen Network meetings and provide support in its work.
Network Board members identified the first issue that they would like to focus on - Friday and Saturday night "things to do" for Arlington teens. There was general agreement that improving Friday and Saturday night opportunities for teens would positively impact other teen issues in the County. The Board is gathering suggestions for improving current opportunities and additional activities that they would like to have available to them.
In addition, the Teen Network Board has begun developing a Network website and has had training on working with the media. They have identified other "everyday" issues that affect Arlington teens (i.e. Arlington Schools' Food Service and help for immigrant parents who have difficulty helping their children with homework) and shared their observations and suggestions with appropriate County and School staff. They have had a positive response from principals to their request for a Teen Network Board representative on high school student advisory/leadership committees.
Although the Teen Network Board is still a very new concept, the goal of providing a county-wide voice for Arlington teens to help make Arlington a better place for children, youth, and families is at last a reality.
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