What
does policy have to do with your work? Plenty! As
Minnesota enters the 21st century, it is vital that its current
commitments to youth be evaluated and new policy strategies be developed
to support youth in a comprehensive, coordinated manner.
Youth workers MUST become engaged! Please consider joining
the TCYC Policy Committee.
What
is Public Policy?
Public
policy is the responses of public officials, governments, and citizens
to societal, economic, and political changes that affect the ways
in which society lives and interacts. It consists of a complex web
of agendas, choices, actions, and programs based on laws, regulations
and the real and perceived needs of a community. Policies that affect
youth both directly and indirectly can be found in the myriad of
health, education, employment, tax, and social policies that make
up the fabric of American policy. To date, there are few examples
of comprehensive youth policies in the United States.
TCYC's
Policy Vision
Youth
serving organizations in the Twin Cities promote a variety of issues
and use a combination of roles to promote policies regarding the
healthy development of young people. The TCYC Policy Committee seeks
to unite youth workers across domains to address youth related policies
in a proactive manner. We provide educational opportunities
to inform youth workers about the relationship between their work
and public policy, and to frame issues in ways that make them relevant
and accessible. Through collaboration and coordination with
other public policy experts we hope to inspire the Twin Cities youth
work community toward increased involvement in active citizenship:
public education, advocacy, lobbying and most importantly voting.
Through
its efforts, TCYC together with the wider youth community can change
the focus and direction of policies effecting Minnesota's youth,
and will increase the potential of these policies. This collaborative
approach decreases fragmentation among youth service providers and
promotes the development of an informed and cohesive constituency
ready to respond quickly to a legislative or community issue.
Download
TCYC youth policy information. [ Coming soon! ]
State
of Minnesota Youth Policy Information Sites:
Child
Care WORKS - The Child Care WORKS coalition, established
in 1983, brings together parents, caregivers and advocates across
Minnesota to improve child care services for all families.
Child Care WORKS
Childrens
Defense Fund - Children's Defense Fund-Minnesota provides
a strong and effective voice for children, who cannot speak or vote
for themselves. We accomplish this through research, publication,
public education, advocacy and outreach.
Childrens Defense Fund
Younger
Americans Act - The Younger Americans Act's purpose is
to mobilize American communities to assure that all youth have access
to the competencies and character development they need to be fully
prepared adults and effective citizens. Check out the website to
stay up to date on the latest legislation news:
Younger Americans Act
Our mission,
vision and values
©
2004 Twin Cities Youth Work Coalition |
