RESOURCES TO START YOUR CHILDREN YOUTH PLANNING BOARD (CYPB) 

Please utilize the resources below to get your Children Youth Planning Board started!

Steps for Establishing a CYPB:

1. Local Governing Authority Action:
   The CYPB must be formally established by resolution through the parish’s local governing authority. This is typically the Parish Council. A sample ordinance can be found on pages 15 and 16 of the ACT 555 Planning Guide.

2.  Initial Organization of the Board: Please read the bottom of page 6 within the ACT 555 Planning guide.
   Once the Board is established, the local planning board should elect officers (such as a Chair and Vice Chair) and establish rules of attendance. In addition, the governing authority of the judicial district may designate a lead agency or organization from among the board members. This lead agency is responsible for coordinating board activities, communicating with the Children’s Cabinet, managing reporting requirements, and, if needed, serving as the fiscal agent for the Board.

3. Required Membership: RS 46:1941.8
   State law outlines specific members that must be included on the CYPB (e.g., representatives from juvenile justice, education, behavioral health, DCFS, local government, and community organizations). I can provide the full statutory list so you can begin identifying members in your district.

4. Initial Training & Technical Assistance:
   Please utilize the resources provided here. 

Once established, CYPB's meet at least 4 times per year. Some current CYPB's meet monthly or every other month. The CYPB begins its core statutory responsibilities: conducting a comprehensive community needs assessment; identifying risk factors and service gaps; developing a data-driven continuum of care; supporting prevention and early intervention strategies; coordinating interagency partnerships; increasing public awareness; monitoring programs; and submitting an annual report to the Children’s Cabinet by October 1.

No funding? 

Under Act 555, the parish governing authority is not mandated to fund the operational expenses of the Board. Many CYPBs across the state began, and continue to operate, with very limited or no local funding. The core focus is on assembling the required members, organizing the Board, and beginning the coordinated assessment and planning work.

That said, I understand the real concerns about capacity, staffing, and sustainability.

Please view these practical strategies that have worked in other districts, including:

• Low-cost board models using existing collaboratives (TASC, FINS, Children’s Coalitions, Juvenile Justice task forces, etc.). 

• Leveraging a lead agency (as allowed under Act 555) to handle coordination, reporting, and meeting logistics.

• Building parish-level support by aligning the CYPB’s goals with existing priorities (truancy, behavioral health, reentry, youth crime reduction, etc.).

• Identifying possible funding streams, including federal grants, passing a mileage tax (Calcasieu Parish), local foundations, and collaborative grants that prioritize multi-agency boards, public/private partnerships; EX. Community Cares, Youth Services Bureau, Volunteers for Youth Justice

• Securing buy-in by demonstrating how the CYPB can reduce duplication, improve outcomes, and strengthen cross-agency communication; all of which benefit the parish financially in the long run.