In NYC the Children's Plan Committee, comprised of youth, family members, and government representatives, convened a Children's Plan Roundtable Discussion on December 11, 2009, to identify top priority issues and develop NYC specific cross-system action plans. The focus was on two populations, children 0-5 years old and young adults ages 16-25 (transition age youth), that would benefit from extensive interagency collaboration and cross systems support. Roundtable participants proposed multiple initiatives to address the following top priority issues, as well as serve as the basis of these action plans.

Identified top priority issues for transition age youth (TAY) and children 0-5 years old:

1) The need for a collaborative approach to enable TAY to access appropriate housing and develop skills for independent functioning.

2) The need for youth service plans to be youth-guided and coordinated across all agencies with shared accountabilities for outcomes.

3) The need to enhance support for traumatized children 0-5 years old.

Subsequent meetings were organized to focus on the proposed TAY and early childhood initiatives. During these meetings a select group of participants vetted each of the initiatives against the following parameters listed below. Initiatives that met all seven parameters were prioritized as items to work on and accomplish by January 2011.

1. Initiative enhances cross-system work and does not duplicate initiatives that are under way

2. Initiative requires cross-system solutions and is not the sole responsibility of one child- or adult-serving agency

3. Initiative addresses gaps in existing system

4. Initiative can be supported within current resources

5. Initiative can be incorporated into systems' current practices and programs

6. Initiative is achievable by January 2011

7. Program/agency staff is committed and available to the planning and implementation of the initiative

The original TAY initiatives were further defined and condensed into the following four general topics of focus: skills set for TAY, housing, accessing information, and cross-system youth voice. Participants then refined the language of each initiative to clearly state the focus of the initiative to be accomplished.

1. Skill Set for TAY: Have city/state agencies working with TAY agree on a set of skills for successful transition to adulthood and disseminate this information. (Leadership: Ronni Fuchs, Director of Youth Advocacy and Support Services, NYC Administration for Children's Services and Judy Blunt, Hunter College)

2. Housing: Develop a set of standards for housing and supportive services for TAY with the goal of TAY being successfully housed throughout their lives. (Leadership: Nina Aledort, Assistant Commissioner for Program Services at the NYC Administration for Children's Services - Division of Youth and Family Justice (formerly DJJ), and Jim Bolas, Director of Education, Empire State Coalition of Youth and Family Services)

3. Accessing Information: Identify and map existing services for TAY and develop a communication plan for youth, families, providers and government agencies. (Current Leadership: Susan Thaler and Myla Harrison)

4. Cross-System Youth Voice: Develop a cross-system youth forum where youth advocates can network and provide feedback to agencies (Leadership: Brian Lombrowski, Youth Involvement Specialist)

Additionally the NYC Early Childhood Mental Health Strategic Workgroup of the DOHMH Federation of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities was identified as an existing cross-systems group to address the early childhood initiatives. Initiatives proposed during the initial Roundtable Discussion were prioritized and the following will be focused on this year. (Leadership: Evelyn Blanck, Chair of the Early Childhood Mental Health Strategic Workgroup, Co-Chair of the Federation, and Associate Executive Director of the New York Center for Child Development).

1. Develop cross systems consensus on the definition and levels of trauma.

2. Develop a protocol to utilize peer review to help agencies improve awareness and sensitivity to trauma.

3. Develop an instrument and suggest a protocol for uniform screening and early detection of trauma; train staff and educate families.

4. Create an educational campaign and materials to enhance the understanding of trauma.

5. Assemble agencies involved with domestic violence to develop strategies for supporting families and young children in domestic violence situations.

Workgroups for each of these initiatives were formulated with recommendations for facilitators and participants based on experience, expertise and interest in the specific topic. Identified workgroup participants represent child and adult serving agencies as well as community based providers, families and youth. Each workgroup is responsible for developing a work plan to guide workgroup tasks, milestones and goals, as well as communicate the strategy on how work will be accomplished by January 2011.

The NYC Children's Plan Governance Committee

The Citywide Oversight Committee (COC) will convene quarterly each year to specifically address governance of the NYC Children's Plan. These meetings will occur on Thursdays from 9-11:00AM on 4/1/10, 7/1/10, 10/7/10, and 1/7/11. The participants of the Roundtable Discussion and the leaders of the workgroups are invited to these meetings.

The role of the COC as NYC Children's Plan Governance Committee will be to:

· Assist workgroups with strategic planning and addressing challenges to meeting the goals;

· Monitor and evaluate progress/accomplishments of workgroups;

· Promote workgroup accomplishments and recommendations; and

· Identify future issues/gaps and initiatives related to The Children's Plan.