Community Partnerships are founded on the principle of shared responsibility for the safety of children. Partnerships are guided by organized shared decision making committees that include a wide range of community members from the following groups:
- public and private child welfare and juvenile justice
- parents and youth, including those with prior system involvement
- education and early childhood
- physical and mental health
- domestic violence and substance abuse
- volunteers, non-profit, and faith based
- law enforcement and legal
- local government
- business and civic
- Parents, youth and the Department of Human Services are essentail key players in the collaborative work of local partners.
These decision making groups are engaged in assessing and responding to the needs of the children and families in the community. This includes planning, implementing and evaluating the strategies and activities of the local Partnerships. The group is also responsible for educating their local community about the importance and community benefits of children’s safety and well-being.
Purpose:
Provide leadership for collaborative efforts that promote community responsibility for the safety and well-being children.
Activities:
√ Recruit broad and diverse membership to set the direction and oversee implementation of the four strategies and local efforts.
√ Identify and assess community strengths and gaps in services and supports.
√ Develop plans and leverage resources to fill priority gaps.
√ Agree on measures, evaluate outcomes, and share accountability for outcomes.