The Forum for Youth Investment connects with the directors, chairs and members of state and local cross-agency coordinating bodies in more than 20 states across the country. These coordinating bodies include children's cabinets, commissions or councils and are systematically changing the fragmented and ineffective way states typically do business for children and youth.

Typically, these bodies are made up of heads of state agencies with child and youth-serving programs, who meet on a regular basis with the collective goal of coordinating services, developing a common set of outcomes, and collaboratively developing and implementing plans to foster the well-being of young people. The coordinating body model provides a long-term and sustainable structure for ensuring that young people are physically and emotionally healthy, academically successful, civically engaged and prepared to enter the workforce. There are currently 21 states that have a coordinating body for children and youth.

It is important that they strive to better align and coordinate the work of their child and youth serving agencies. As a part of this network, these well-positioned state leaders receive technical assistance both in person, by phone and web. Participants in the network get the opportunity to interact with peers engaged in this same unique role in states across the country, sharing tips and best practices and working through solutions to common problems. The Forum and the Ready by 21® National Partners have created resources and tools for these leaders to use to advance their work. These coordinating bodies have the potential to change the way their states do business.

Want to learn more about Children's Cabinets? Thinking of creating a new one? Want to make an existing one even better? Check out our State Children's Cabinets and Councils Series!

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