City of Shoreline and King County seek input on development of County's Youth Action Plan

On Tuesday, October 28, the City of Shoreline and King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski invite Shoreline and other North King County youth and those who care for them to an open house and focused discussion on the development of King County's Youth Action Plan.

The County currently spends approximately $75 million in services and programs to serve its youth population, infant to young adult (24 years old and younger). The County wants to ensure that all of its young people have the chance to thrive as children and succeed as adults.

The Youth Action Plan will guide and inform the County’s annual investment in services and programs serving these populations.

King County has long been a leader in supporting programs for children, youth and young adults – from developing sports fields in local neighborhoods to providing public health visits for low-income infants and children, from establishing a Youth / Family Services Network to help at-risk teens and families to assisting youth who have become involved with the criminal justice system to take a fresh path. Unfortunately, the recent recession has significantly reduced or eliminated support for many programs, and programs still receiving County funding are operated through many different agencies, often with little coordination between them.

In order to reach the countywide strategic goal of every youth being able to realize their full potential, the Metropolitan King County Council agreed to take a new approach. 

On January 21, 2014, the Council approved legislation calling for the development of a Youth Action Plan that will set King County’s priorities for serving its young people. 

As required in the legislation, the Plan is being developed by an appointed Task Force comprised of representatives from a broad range of organizations and entities with substantial expertise and knowledge relevant to infants, children, and youth. The Task Force encompasses a wide range of views and experiences, reflecting the diversity of its members’ geographic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.

The Task Force needs to hear from and about King County youth to better understand their needs and how best to address them. Some of the questions the Task Force will be asking include: 

• What are the needs of our youth?
• What challenges are youth facing today?
• How are youth needs changing?
• How can King County help?

The event will be from 6:30 to 8:00pm at Shoreline City Hall in the Council Chamber. Youth between 12 and 24 years old who are unable to attend the event can complete the Youth Action Plan Survey online.

For more information visit this website.