ACYI'S PURPOSE: A countywide collaborative committed to decreasing delinquency and substance use and increasing high school graduation rates in youth populations through evidence-based programs and strategies.
Located Northeast of Denver, Adams County has a population of approximately 500,000 residents, including over 68,000 school age children and 35,000 preschool children. Once considered “suburban,” Adams County is now more accurately described as “urban,” with the corresponding challenges that rapid growth and urbanization brings.
ACYI was formed in 2005 when 17th Judicial District Attorney Don Quick assembled a group of local leaders to discuss how to best meet the needs of this changing community – and to positively impact children, families and communities in the long-term. Stakeholders agreed that collaboration was essential, and representatives from school districts, law enforcement, juvenile justice, mental health, social services, public health, workforce development and the local early childhood council came together with families and youth to design the goals for the collaboration.
A cornerstone of ACYI's approach is the robust community partnerships that have formed between organizations and individuals to address the large goals of the Initiative. Currently ACYI is governed by a Policy Board and a Steering Committee, and mulitple workgroups – including over 150 representatives from 40 local agencies – who are working together on a variety of activities that contribute to accomplishing the goals of ACYI. This structure has allowed ACYI to successfully acquire funding from various sources – including federal, state and local grants – and the Initiative is well positioned to continue this work into the future.
