Polk County MYFI Committee Goals

To be a bridge between African American families and youth to access services before they become formally involved with the system.

Objectives:

Provide information to the community about preventative services annually. Formally communicate MYFI Grant opportunities to service providers and the community annually.
Use MYFI mini-grants to provide funding assitance to identified service providers once MYFI Committee Members determine timelines.

By June 30, 2015, ensure the provisioin of professional development and training opportunities for state child welfare, juvenile justice, and social service employees in Polk County.

Objectives:

By August 1, 2014, identify additional training needs for administrative and direct servie employees.
By June 30, 2015, provide or facilitate evidence-based training and professional development opportunities that furthers the mission and vision of the minority youth and family initiative.

Statistically identify time points within the child welfare system where disproporionality increases.

Objectives:

By August 2014, create a work group which will gather and interpret statistics gathered from DHS and RCPC.
By January 2015, present information regarding statistical findings to MYFI group.

Create partnerships and practices as an inclusive community to better identify and address the strengths and needs of African American Youth and Families.

Objectives:

Provide information and education about MYFI programs and priorities for purposes of educating the public regarding available resources.
Expand partnerships with state and local agencies to promote linkages to groups working with our target population.
Develop and maintain media outreach services that reflect MYFI goals and educational objectives to community services and African American families.
Monitor overall effectiveness of MYFI partnerships (revise as needed).