The Roadmap to the Future is a long-term plan to help effectively coordinate the services, supports and opportunities that children, youth and families in Yolo County need to thrive, as well as establish a shared framework to ensure their healthy development.

“The trustees of the Yolo County Board of Education have been concerned with the gaps in services to meet the needs of our students and the students in our communities,” said Shelton Yip, Yolo COE board vice president. “The county superintendent and staff — in collaboration with the County Board of Supervisors, city governments, local educational agencies, county behavioral health and other public/private agencies — is working to produce an outline of existing community assets and conditions to better understand and allocate resources needed to enhance youth development and success.”

On June 27, 2021, Yolo County elected leaders co-authored an opinion article in local newspapers calling for the development of a long-term plan to confront the issues of poverty and physical and mental health facing Yolo County children and youth. This resulted in a request for $450,000 from Yolo County, the Yolo COE, all four cities in Yolo County and the five school districts to develop a “Roadmap to the Future.” Thus far, the program is funded through the county and county office at 60 percent, or $275,000 and local jurisdictions are being asked to help cover the remaining costs.

The Roadmap to the Future consists of four phases led by Yolo COE, with support from community partners and consultants. The deliverables for each phase form the foundation for the development of a long-term plan with measurable objectives and actions:

• Phase 0: Yolo COE led three virtual convenings from August 2021 through February 2022 to develop the principles and shared priorities that continue to guide the path of the Roadmap to the Future. A grant from the James B. McClatchy Foundation provided funding for the convenings.
• Phase 1 and 2: Yolo COE is currently implementing Phases 1 and 2 of the Roadmap to the Future, which consists of five components: 1) child and youth development framework; 2) asset maps; 3) needs assessment; 4) community online tool; and 5) final report. The report will describe the process through which Yolo COE developed the asset maps, the needs assessment and the community online tool, including the results of a community outreach effort. It will also serve as a guide for other jurisdictions that may wish to develop a similar tool for their communities. Yolo COE may also provide recommendations to consider in Phase 3 as part of this report, including development of a long-term plan with measurable objectives and actions.
• Phase 3: The components of Phase 3 will chart the road ahead, but are not yet defined as funding has not been secured for this phase. The Phase 3 approach may also change because of community feedback received during Phases 1 and 2. Yolo COE will work with the county and the Children, Youth and Families American Rescue Plan Workgroup to develop a scope of work for Phase 3 once the others are complete.

While the roadmap will lay a foundation to help all students, it will be especially helpful for parents, caregivers and educators of children and youth aged 0-24 who need support to connect with available community services, including local agencies, businesses and community organizations. The needs assessment will help decision-makers who are seeking guidance on opportunities to invest additional funds in services to align their programs and services to address gaps in the system.

Of the approximately 30,000 students and 13,000 children aged 0-5 in Yolo County, about 15 percent live in poverty. When the data is disaggregated, records show that Black children face a poverty rate of 28 percent and Latino children at 20 percent. In addition, COVID-related trauma and stress has affected the mental health of students, as it has around the state, and more supports are needed.

The needs assessment will help identify strengths, gaps and overlap in assets within the community. It also will inform the Children, Youth and Families ARP Workgroup as they allocate $2.2 million in one-time implementation funds set aside for investments in support services for children, youth and families. The needs assessment will allow the workgroup to make data-informed decisions to maximize opportunity, avoid duplication and prioritize transformational projects when allocating the funds.