Toward Interagency Collaboration: The Role of Children

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Toward Interagency CollaborationThe Role of
Childrens Cabinets

• Lisa Famularo, Ph.D.
• Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy
• June 10, 2009

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Child and Youth Readiness Cabinet

• In October 2008, Governor Patrick signed an
  executive order that established the Governors
  Child and Youth Readiness Cabinet
• The Cabinet shall set the strategic direction
  for interagency policy planning, development and
  implementation, thereby working to advance the
  health, well-being and education of the
  Commonwealths children and youth, and prepare
  them to be successful and contributing citizens.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Order
505. Downloaded from http//www.lawlib.state.ma.us
/EO505.pdf
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Purpose

• Inform the general public about the purpose of
  childrens cabinets
• Highlight the potential role that non-government
  stakeholders might play as the Child and Youth
  Readiness Cabinet begins its work.
• Contribute to the policy dialogue about how to
  increase the level of collaboration among state
  departments and agencies that serve
  Massachusetts children, youth and families

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Methods

• Review of relevant literature
• A scan of state websites and online documents
• Email and/or telephone contact with state
  personnel to obtain information not available
  online
• The brief draws on best practices work conducted
  by The Forum for Youth Investment and National
  Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best
  Practices

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National View
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State Trends

• Membership
• Involvement of non-government stakeholders
• Advisory board
• Working groups
• Other strategies for broader community input
• Duties
• Establish goals
• Establish monitor indicators of success
• Assist oversee local jurisdictions
• Make policy and funding recommendations to the
  Governor

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Case Examples

• Pennsylvania
• Washington D.C.
• Louisiana
• Ohio

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Considerations

• Solicit and incorporate input from parents,
  youth, advocacy groups, service providers and the
  general public
• Work with the Governors Statewide Youth Council
  which is comprised of youth from each of the
  states 14 counties
• Create regional planning and coordinating
  entities (or charge existing regional entities
  with responsibility for integrating services for
  youth and families)

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Considerations

• Engage colleges and universities in research on
  issues that are of interest to the Cabinet
• Establish the Cabinet as a permanent structure to
  ensure its sustainability and stability through
  changes in the states executive and legislative
  leadership
• Consider the role of the Legislature in guiding
  the work of the Cabinet and holding the Cabinet
  accountable for meeting its goals

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Thank you. For additional information about the
brief, please contact me at lfamularo_at_renniecenter
.org