2009 Kitsap County Budget Book - Kitsap County Government

HUMAN SERVICES
Program Notes
• 2008 and 2009 are 95% of total budget less fund balance.
• Expenditure increases due to increasing number of veterans accessing emergency assistance.
• Increased expenses funded, in part, by Fund Balance.
Program:
Description:
Youth Commission
The Kitsap County Commission on Children and Youth was established in 1988 by the Board of
Commissioners by Resolution No. 172-1988. The Board acted on the recommendation of the local Youth
2000 Forum, whose participants were concerned about the rising rate of school dropout, a shrinking labor
pool, and other youth-related problems.
The Commission on Children and Youth is an appointed body of the Kitsap County Commissioners, with up
to 24 representatives from education and schools, health and social service providers, juvenile justice and
law enforcement, community leaders and non-profit organizations. The Youth Commission’s charge is to:
• Advise County Commissioners and residents on the needs of children, youth and families
based on periodic assessments;
• Facilitate coordination of information among agencies to maximize resources; and to
• Advocate for an environment that fosters healthy, self-sufficient, responsible and productive
children, youth and families.
In 1992, as a step towards improving state services for children, Washington State lawmakers officially
established the Family Policy Council: The Family Policy Council is charged with making social programs
and policies more responsive to the needs of families. Community Public Health and Safety Networks were
established by the Legislature in 1994 – using Family Policy Principles – as a way to give communities a
larger role in tackling their own social problems. The Commission on Children and Youth became the local
Community Public Health and Safety Network for Kitsap County in August of 2000: The Youth Commission
supports activities that increase the capacity for the community to build developmental assets among youth.
The four problem areas that the Youth Commission has targeted include:
• Dropping out of School
• Youth Substance Abuse
• Youth Violence
• Child Abuse and Neglect
2008 Accomplishments
• Developed the Kitsap Cares About Kids campaign and leveraged $29,000 in private investment funds which
increased the number of youth served in out of school programs by 1,000.
• Three Action Councils expand to six Teen Action Groups (TAGs). Sites now include South Kitsap, Bremerton,
Central Kitsap, and North Kitsap increasing participation to over 75 youth.
• Monitored expenditures of $90,000 in Family Policy Council funds and Statements of Work for “It’s Time for Kitsap
Kids,” Teen Action Groups and Kitsap Cares About Kids.
Initiatives:
• “It’s Time for Kitsap Kids” Developmental Asset Initiative – Builds community awareness of developmental assets
and educates individuals on how to build developmental assets in young people. Developmental Assets are
positive experiences and personal qualities that young people need to grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.
• Teen Action Groups (TAG) – Increases youth involvement in the community and engages them in the work of the
Commission. This model develops strong adult leaders to serve as mentors and role models for youth; builds new
youth leaders through leadership training, mentoring and community involvement; increases social development
of youth through meaningful service; and provides service and internship opportunities for youth.
• “Kitsap Cares…About Kids” – Increases private investment in positive youth development programs through a
three-year community awareness campaign to involve the public in building developmental assets for children and
youth from birth to age 18. The overall strategy of the campaign is to help people see how they can make a
difference and that Kitsap County is a community that values and supports youth.
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