In communities in which rates of juvenile delinquency and failure to complete high school are increasing, it is critical that community organizations and agencies establish ways of working together to address these trends. No agency alone can single-handedly impact the many social factors that influence youth development, and the likelihood of success is significantly greater when communities establish open, collaborative programs and practices to tackle these large, complex issues. While few would question the value and importance of a partnership approach to achieve positive outcomes for children, families and communities, actually forming strategic and productive partnerships is an enormous challenge. This is especially true in cities and counties that contain multiple school districts and law enforcement jurisdictions that may have operated for many years as independent silos.
When agencies align their efforts to big goals like those of ACYI, and work to intentionally coordinate local, state and national resources, research shows that communities can:
- Reach more youth, as well as better coordinate and enhance service delivery to children and families who need support.
- Create opportunities to leverage resources and access additional funds for both prevention and intervention efforts.
- Have increased accountability with the public, by establishing practices that ensure the wise and prudent use of available resources and funds.
Every entity – schools, law enforcement, mental health, human services, juvenile courts, health departments, early childhood organizations, churches, neighborhood groups and others – have a role to play in crafting and implementing a comprehensive, community-based solution to ensure that youth are healthy, thriving and well-prepared for life success.
This section contains information about collaborative efforts and information about how, by working together, organizations and agencies can foster positive child, youth and family outcomes in Adams County.