“All Iowa youth will be safe, healthy, successful, and prepared for adulthood.”
Reports:
The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics
The following report provides recommendations that focus on four areas related to adolescents—education, health, child welfare, and juvenile justice—and emphasizes the importance of youth engagement to solve problems, develop partnerships, and re-imagine/redesign systems to further support for adolescents.“Adolescence” can be defined as the period between child- and adulthood, beginning with the onset of puberty to the mid-20’s, and is divided into four age groups:
- Early Adolescence (10-12)
- Middle Adolescence (13-15)
- Late Adolescence (16-18)
- Young Adulthood (19-25)
The 411-page report provides multiple recommendations for capitalizing on opportunities to address inequities that undermine the well-being of many adolescents. This and other research will be used to guide stakeholders in the future development of policies and legislation related to this age group.
Iowans benefit when all youth are engaged and contributing in their communities. The experiences and connections that children and youth have while growing up affect their success in school, in work, and in life.
Since 1999, the Iowa Collaboration for Youth Development Council (ICYD) has participated in a variety of state and national youth initiatives and has been nationally recognized for coordination of youth development efforts at the state level. In partnership with the Forum for Youth Investment, the ICYD has adopted several key principles of the Ready by 21™ Challenge. Nearly $20 million in federal and private funding has been leveraged to support youth development in Iowa. In 2009, ICYD was established in the Iowa Code, Section 216A.140.
The ICYD is comprised of agencies within eleven state departments that represent the major public systems addressing the needs of Iowa’s youth (ages 6 to 21). Its purpose is:
- to build consensus on a youth development framework by aligning state policies and programs;
- encourage collaboration on youth-related issues across state government and communities throughout Iowa;
- identify or develop resources for use at the community level to promote positive youth development;
- facilitate planning and implementation of effective positive youth development programs; and
- increase youth involvement in state and local level policy discussions and decision making.
The ICYD recognizes that Iowa youth can help create a better Iowa with support and encouragement from families, schools and communities. The ICYD is working to make certain that Iowa’s youth have opportunities to be involved, practice healthy behaviors, achieve success in school, and are prepared for a career and productive adulthood.
One way that the ICYD involves Iowa's youth in policy discussions is through the State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council (SIYAC), a non-partisan policy advising organization comprised of 21 voting members and 3 non-voting members aged. Youth who serve on SIYAC are young Iowans between the ages of 14-20 who reside across the state. SIYAC was originally seated in 2001 by former Governor Tom Vilsack as a way for youth to inform legislators and policymakers on issues important to youth. In 2009, SIYAC was established through Iowa Code Section 216A.140(8) within the Iowa Department of Human Rights under the umbrella of the Iowa Collaboration for Youth Development.
Through these collaborative efforts, ICYD is creating a better Iowa for today and in the future.
ICYD Council Members
|
San Wong, Director Steve Michael, ICYD Chair |
Debbie Nistler |
Steffani Simbric, Administrator |
|
Adam Lounsbury, Executive Director |
Lily Glenn, Chair |
Chad Jensen, Director
|
|
Department of Human Services *Doug Wolfe |
Julie Hibben |
Beth Townsend, Director |
|
Vacant, Facilitator |
Chad Aldis, Director *Jay Pennington |
Dale Woolery, Director |
*Agency Designee when member is unable to participate
Recent ICYD Meetings
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ICYD Agenda 12-14-2022
The minutes will be posted when approved -
ICYD Meeting 6-29-2022 Cancelled