OBJECTIVES

The first objectives involves creating the “Dayton Commission on Youth” to keep youth development as a priority for policymakers and the community. The Dayton Commission on Youth would be made up of individuals appointed by the local government entity or entities responsible for funding, and it would include a broad array of individuals across racial, cultural, gender, class, and professional lines. Young people would be included on the Commission as well.

The Commission would be responsible for pursuing grants and other funding sources; convening community partners to provide necessary prevention services; developing a user-friendly clearinghouse or directory of youth services and family resources for various agencies to access; and conducting annual assessments to determine the changing needs of area youth.

The full listing of the 12 objectives outlined by the Committee is below:
 

1. Create the Dayton Commission on Youth to:
   
      a. implement the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Committee
   
      b. develop a long term strategic plan for youth development
   
      c. bring together key stakeholders in the community
2. Work with the City of Dayton’s Police Department in the implementation of aggressive strategies to decrease the use of drugs and eliminate the use of weapons in the community;
3. Increase service learning and volunteer opportunities among youth in city-wide organizations and initiatives; I
4. Integrate young people into meaningful roles in local government and private sector organizations which have policy influence over areas which affect them;
5. Host periodic leadership conferences to develop leadership skills in local youth;
6. Provide mentoring opportunities for college students, city employees, retirees and others to build supportive relationships with at-risk youth;
7. Collaborate with existing organizations to expand services through career centers and jobs banks and work with local business leaders to increase academic year and summer jobs;
8. Secure grants to create additional prevention and recreation services;
9. Initiate a public awareness campaign through local media to raise awareness of violence prevention and highlight positive youth accomplishments;
10. To create a clearinghouse of youth and family related information (i.e., statistical data, inventory of services and programs, a website) that can be easily accessed by , youth and families;
11. Conduct annual assessments to determine changing needs of youth and use this information modify the strategic plan and services;
12.  In conjunction with courts and schools, establish a Dayton Parent Resource Center to provide support for successful child rearing and family management.