State

Children's cabinets and councils have the potential to systematically coordinate the fragmented funding and services that often occur at the state level. Children's cabinets are typically made up of heads of government agencies with child and youth serving programs, who meet on a regular basis with the collective goal of coordinating services, developing a common set of outcomes and collaboratively deciding upon and implementing plans to foster the well-being of young people.

The guide is divided into three parts:

The Rationale for Youth Engagement in Government provides a theoretical and historical context for youth councils by articulating the rationale for engaging youth in policy and decision-making processes and by explaining the Forum’s Principles of Youth Engagement.

Focus Areas:

• Enter school ready to succeed
• Read proficiently by 4th grade
• Make a successful transition to middle school
• Graduate from high school on time
• Be ready for success in college, work, and life

United Way Worldwide Education Website

Ask Great Questions
     

• How many adults in the state have a postsecondary credential or degree?
• How many students are placed into remedial courses and how do they perform in those courses? How many remedial students complete a degree?
• How successful are students in first-year, introductory courses (also known as gateway courses)?
• Do institutions in the state administer exit surveys to track the reasons students drop out? If so, what are the main reasons?

Community events and summits are generally intended to build a sense of urgency around the crisis facing America's young people, secure a commitment to action from leaders in all sectors and most importantly, to result in follow-up action plans to strengthen current efforts and initiate new strategic activity to help more young people graduate from high school ready for college, work and life.

SNEAK PEEK
Local Action Planning Team Worksheet

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