COACT Y- VAL Tools - Next Steps and Opportunities

Overall Colorado scored close to, if not slightly above the national mean for many items identified within the Y-VAL. The data included in this tool reflect the average of the combined responses from all surveys recieved. Areas where the statewide score was below the national mean, individual counties may have scored higher in. The continued peer to peer learning within COACT will help identify areas where the state as a whole can learn from what may be happening at the local county level and consider ways to replicate those practices in order to improve efforts in other counties, resulting in improved statewide scores.

One of COACT Colorado's strategic goals is to support local communities to increase youth engagement and voice within their system of care. During FY 2018- 19 using an AmeriCorps planning ideas and feedback from local sites developed the plan. Three primary strategies are being implemented and are available to assist local Communities of Excellence. Our overarching goal is that all youth are empowered, educated, and given decision making roles in the care of their own lives as well as the policies and procedures that affect them. Next steps for your local community:

Review the findings
Reflect on the data using the questions provided
Establish the initial goals of your plan
Set up a meeting with Kippi to learn more how she can assist you with your plan

To get the sustainability planning handout click here

COACT CO launched CO YOUTH in the fall of 2018.

With the help of a network Vista YPS Members launching early 2020 located within COACT communities COACT will support transition aged youth:

To have improved access to services to enhance transition into or remain in safe, healthy, affordable housing, and reach education and career goals.
Contribute toward improved behavioral outcomes of youth.
Improved capacity and program reach for youth with behavioral health challenges including but not limited to substance use.

Using COACT’s System of Care Framework AmeriCorps VISTA Members will assist local communities to :

Develop local Youth MOVE chapters to advise and guide youth services and programs
Identify county specific low barrier supports, concrete resources and community connections for transition aged youth.
Implement youth peer specialist roles to assist transition-aged youth to advocate for individual needs and link them to community resources and services.
Develop capacity within local organizations supporting youth guided work that is sustainable after their term of service has ended.

COACT has been working hard to develop a state wide Youth MOVE Chapter Network know as the YOUTH HUB. Young Adults are review and refining the youth engagement process of COACT and will be submitting an application to Youth MOVE in the fall of 2019 for this plan. Please invite yo Y/YA in your local community to join the conversation.

This plan will assist COACT in building our Youth MOVE chapter network. These chapters are not to be a duplication of your current youth advisory board or network. Rather by partnering with Youth MOVE National our youth voice effort will be linked to a national network of youth leaders and advocates. Next steps for local communities:

Identify youth to provide feedback and advise the development of our Youth MOVE HUB
Set up a meeting with Kippi to learn how your local youth advisory board and network can join the Speak Up community within our Youth MOVE HUB

To learn more about Youth MOVE National and the Y-VAL CLICK HERE