Community report / Governor's Office for Children, Youth and Families

              Governor's Office for Children, Youth and Families . 2003 Community Report .

"Arizona must not only be a great State to grow old in, but a great State to grow up in."

Governor Janet Napolitano



A Message from the Governor and Director

Dear Community Partners: It has been a busy year in the Governor's Office for Children, Youth and Families. In 2003, the Office distributed more than $15 million in grants to communities statewide. An additional $4 million in competitive federal and private grants were awarded to the Office. At the same time, the Office reduced its administrative costs so that more dollars could be distributed to community programs. The $15 million provided funding for a variety of programs, statewide conferences and infrastructure support, ranging from: programs to deter juvenile delinquency; programs to help victims of domestic and sexual violence (including children living with violence in the home); programs to prevent children from abusing substances; programs to empower communities and volunteers; programs to improve the quality of childcare; and infrastructure funding for family advocacy centers. The office also brought in new grants to hire a Governor's Advisor for Victims and a Governor's Advisor on Aging. There were also many policy successes in 2003 through the diverse boards, commissions, and committees staffed by the Office. Two significant state plans were developed, including: (1) a five-year plan created by the State School Readiness Board to ensure that all children start school, safe, healthy and ready to succeed, and (2) a State Plan on Domestic and Sexual Violence: A Guide for Safety and Justice in Arizona. And, there were a number of new committees created to focus attention on specific issues such as: improving long-term outcomes for incarcerated women and their children; increasing the number of working Arizona families and individuals that receive the Earned Income Tax Credit; and creating systems reform for children who are involved in both the child welfare and the juvenile justice systems. Interagency collaboration and facilitating public-private partnerships to better coordinate services and leverage resources was also a high priority for the Office. To that end, we created the Governor's Foundation Roundtable and the Federal Interagency Grant Review Team. In the upcoming year, the Governor's Office for Children, Youth and Families will continue to help improve policy and practices for Arizona's children and families. And, the Office will continue to work closely with partners and communities to bring more resources to our State. Thank you for your support. Governor Janet Napolitano Lisa Glow, Director



Mission Statement:

The Governor's Office for Children, Youth and Families serves the mission of the Governor by fostering and enhancing collaborative relationships across state systems and communities in an effort to ensure the well being of Arizona's children and families. The Office seeks to develop and influence public policy in efforts focused on coordinating and creating a more comprehensive system of services, and works to secure resources that will provide sustainable and positive impacts for Arizona children, families and communities.



Public-Private Partnerships

Public-private partnerships and collaboration are an important part of the day-to-day work of the Governor's office for Children, Youth and Families (GOCYF). The Governor has spoken strongly in favor of formation of such partnerships, not only to maximize our collective resources, but also to find ways to use partnerships to capture more competitive federal grants for Arizona, and to deliver better services to Arizonans.



Call to Action: Building Public-Private Partnerships

Over 160 philanthropic, government and business leaders attended a Summit in 2003 that focused on the need to build more public-private partnerships to assist Arizona in fiscally challenging times to help maximize the efficiency of our dollars and to make lasting improvements for children and families in Arizona. In addition to the varied public-private partnerships with the State, the Governor's Foundation Roundtable was established as a means of coordinating efforts to maximize funding and leverage existing philanthropy and governmental resources.

Governor Napolitano reads "This House is Made of Mud" at Creighton School in Phoenix.



Governor Napolitano, with Mark Stanley, Executive Director of Child Abuse Prevention Arizona, and Sue Clark Johnson, Publisher and CEO of the Arizona Republic distribute funds.



Child Abuse Prevention License Plate Program

The Child Abuse Prevention License Plate program is a partnership between the Governor's Office for Children, Youth and Families and the Arizona Republic Charities, the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, the BHHS Legacy Foundation, the Arizona Community Foundation and the Valley of the Sun United Way. The goal of this program is to raise funds for primary child abuse prevention -- those aimed at stopping child abuse before it begins. The light blue "It shouldn't hurt to be a child" license plates have become the most popular specialty plate in Arizona, with more than 30,000 of them on the road today. Of the $25 specialty license plate purchase price, $17 plus 50 cents on the dollar match from the Arizona Republic Charities and its funding partners goes directly to primary prevention efforts. In 2003, $718,000 was distributed to 18 agencies statewide.

"I want Arizona's first-grade students to have their own book to read and enjoy because reading, especially at a very young age, is an important skill to acquire." � Governor Napolitano



The Book Project: A Book for Every First Grader

As part of an overall literacy effort, in 2003 the Governor gave 80,000 public school first graders a book to take home. The Book Project is the result of the Governor's Office partnering with Phelps Dodge and Southwest Gas to pay for the books. The book "This House is Made of Mud" was created and published in Arizona and illustrates, in words and in art, the diversity of Arizona. The story is told in English and Spanish. Through a public-private partnership, it is hoped to make a book available to first graders an annual tradition.



Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive

The Governor's Office for Children, Youth and Families joined in a collaborative effort with Fulton Homes, The Salvation Army, Clear Channel Communications, and Desert Ridge Marketplace to provide children in need with backpacks and school supplies for the 2003-04 school year. State employees voluntarily joined the Governor in her effort to provide children in 30 schools statewide with school supplies.



211 Information Network

In her 2003 State of the State address, Governor Napolitano called for the creation of a comprehensive plan to address Arizona's Homeland Security needs. Part of the plan included creation of a statewide 211 system to serve both as a disaster information network and a health and human services network. The 211 system will serve as a single source of contact for persons who heed help or who want to volunteer. The main objective of the Governor's Council on 211 is to develop and oversee the implementation of the 211 system by defining policies, establishing standards, identifying resources, establishing call centers, and integrating 211 with other strategic initiatives. The process to establish an Arizona 211 system was initiated when The Governor's Office for Children, Youth and Families and Homeland Security, in partnership with the state agencies, the Valley of the Sun United Way and existing public and private social service and information and referral service providers, conducted public hearings to discuss the specifics of how a state-of-theart 211 system should operate. The State researched innovative ways to use the system as a Homeland Security and Bioterrorism tool and aspires to create a system that will provide the highest quality community information and referral service to the public.



The Governor speaks with Lake Havasu City seniors about Arizona's CoppeRx Card for reducing the price of prescriptions, April 2004.



BenefitsCheckUp

A collaborative grant among the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, the BHHS Legacy Foundation, and St. Luke's Health Initiative established the Governor's Advisor on Aging to implement an eligibility program for Arizona citizens, and to serve as the Governor's eyes and ears on matters relating to Arizona seniors. The BenefitsCheckUp program was designed by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) to help senior citizens (and the agencies that serve them) determine whether they are eligible for an array of public and private benefits by providing a web-based service that can be easily navigated to determine eligibility for financial assistance, prescription drug assistance, in-home services, educational opportunities, volunteer opportunities, health care programs, home energy assistance, nutrition programs and employment programs.



Earned Income Tax Credit

In 2003, the Governor's Office convened a statewide task force whose mission was to increase the number of families and individuals claiming the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. This task force was comprised of members of the business community, financial institutions, state agencies, social service agencies and state and local governments. As a result of these collaborative efforts, in 2003 more than 337,000 families and individuals claimed the credit, infusing more than $633 million into Arizona's economy. This was a 6% increase over 2002 when $595 million was claimed. Similar efforts for 2004 will begin in the fall when new components will be integrated into the mission of the task force: promoting and advancing wealth-building opportunities and predatory lending discouraging practices.



Governor's Advisor for Victims

Governor Napolitano has long been a leader in the Victim's Rights movement and created the first ever Governor's Advisor for Victim's position. The Governor's Advisor for Victims works with community groups, businesses, the Legislature and state agencies to promote victim's rights and help ensure that Arizona crime victims are treated with dignity and respect.



The State School Readiness Board

The State School Readiness Board (SRB) was established to help design a high quality early childhood education system that supports the learning and development of Arizona's youngest children and ensures that all Arizona children begin first grade safe, healthy and ready to succeed. Development of a Coordinated System For Early Childhood Education

Over 140 business and community leaders, child care, education and health professionals, tribal representatives, state agencies and elected officials provided input to the Governor so that a comprehensive plan could be developed. The State School Readiness Board priority recommendations were used to develop the Governor's five-year action plan. The Governor highlighted the five-year plan in her 2004 State of the State address. The plan calls for the implementation of a Quality Rating System, adequate funding for childcare, phase in of fullday kindergarten, development of a statewide scholarship program for early education teachers and assurance of well-child health screening for young children. School Readiness Action Plan: First Steps

Help families afford childcare by reducing the waiting list for subsidies. Establish the Early Education Fund to raise private funds to improve the quality of early childhood education at the local level. Expand Healthy Families, a program to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect. Improve the quality of childcare by completing an implementation plan for phase-in of a Quality Rating System in 2005.



Community and Competitive Grant Awards for 2003

Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities $ 1,545,000

175,000



Funds programs that help adolescents avoid risky behavior that can lead to substance abuse.



Head Start Collaboration Project Child Care Development Fund



Association for Supportive Childcare, Kith & Kin Program, Arizona Head Start Association.



$ $



Funds programs that create high quality, after-school care for children up to thirteen years old.



250,000



Professional Development Grant*



In partnership with Arizona State University, community colleges, and the School Readiness Board, this grant is from the Federal Department of Health and Human Services and will train 300 early childhood professionals.



$



1,600,000



Maternal and Child Health State Early Childhood Systems Grant



Funds planning efforts to build comprehensive early childhood systems around family support and parent education, access to healthcare, healthy social-emotional development and high-quality childcare.



$



100,000



* Grant received through competitive application process.



Launch a statewide scholarship program by partnering with Arizona State University to educate 300 early childhood professionals and by targeting Workforce Investment Act Funds. Phase in voluntary all-day kindergarten. Improve child health by working with AHCCCS to increase the number of children in their care who receive well-child screens and phasing in a nurse consultation system.



The Governor visits a full day kindergarten classroom at Destiny Charter School in Globe, March 2003.



"Clearly the seeds of academic failure are sown very early in life. but so are the seeds of success. If Arizona is ever to improve the academic performance of its school children, it must tackle the issue of early childhood care and education." Governor Janet Napolitano 2004 State of the State address



Community and Competitive Grant Awards for 2003

Innovative Prevention Grant Program Children's Justice Act Rural DV and Child* Victimization Grant $750,000 $330,000



The Governor's Division for Women

The Division for Women works to improve the status of women in Arizona by administering grants, providing training and information, and guiding policy on the issues of domestic violence, women's health and workforce development. The Division is committed to ensuring that all women in Arizona live productive, healthy lives, free from violence, with access to health care and an adequate means of self-sufficiency. Commission to Prevent Violence Against Women

The Commission to Prevent Violence Against Women seeks to unite and enhance statewide efforts to prevent and end domestic and sexual violence. Governor Napolitano tasked the Commission with developing legislative and policy recommendations, as well as expanding on successful prevention initiatives and coordinating and expanding services for victims of domestic and sexual violence.



This grant supports domestic violence prevention programs.



Funds promote education and training in child abuse investigations and development of child advocacy centers.



Educates and trains professionals regarding battered immigrant women, and builds partnerships through three county task forces in Southeastern Arizona.



$500,000



STOP Violence Against Women



Develops and strengthens effective law enforcement, prosecution, and judicial strategies, and victims services in cases involving violent crimes against women.



$2,200,000



Grants to Encourage Arrest*



Partnership with the City of Phoenix to promote offender accountability of first-time domestic violence offenders.



$1,200,000



* Grant received through a competitive application process.



Sponsored Conferences and Trainings in 2003

Statewide Sexual Assault Conference The Division co-sponsored the 3rd annual conference over a two-day period at the Black Canyon Conference Center in Phoenix, serving over 350 professionals. Child Physical Abuse Training The Division provided training to 260 statewide participants representing law enforcement, Child Protective Services and prosecutors. Impact of Domestic Violence on Children The Division hosted a conference in 2003 on the impact of domestic violence on children. Over 650 professionals representing dozens of disciplines and agencies attended. In cooperation with the American Academy of Pediatrics-Arizona Chapter and the Men's AntiViolence Network, this was the largest training of its kind in Arizona.



State Plan on Domestic and Sexual Violence

Over 200 statewide community members helped create the first ever State Plan on Domestic and Sexual Violence: A Guide for Safety and Justice in Arizona. This plan includes recommendations for improving services for victims and children, holding offenders accountable and, focusing more efforts on prevention.



Commission on the Health Status of Women and Children in Arizona

This Commission is charged with looking at issues critical to women's health and advises the Governor on strategies to improve the overall health of women through better collaboration and systems integration. In 2003, the Commission began tackling issues such as access to care, prenatal care, health concerns, family planning and teen pregnancy prevention.



Governor Napolitano walked in the 1st Annual Walk to End Domestic Violence to help raise funds for statewide prevention efforts.



Governor's Division for Community & Youth Development

The Division for Community and Youth Development manages and distributes funding to Arizona communities to support National Service programs, service learning, volunteerism and positive youth development. Additionally, the Division specializes in engaging and empowering Arizona's next generation of leaders and supporting youth through policy, programs, and initiatives.



Community and Competitive Grant Awards for 2003

AmeriCorps State

Provides opportunities for participants to serve communities and build the capacity of organizations to meet local needs.



$1,300,000



Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism

The Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism is the policy-making body for community service and volunteer-related issues. The Commission funds and oversees the administration of the state AmeriCorps program and the Governor's Volunteer Service Awards. In 2003, more than $1.2 million in AmeriCorps funding was distributed throughout Arizona to seven AmeriCorps programs to support their communities through tutoring, mentoring, literacy, school readiness, developing community-based volunteer programs, public safety and forest management. In 2003, 200 AmeriCorps members impacted Arizona by engaging more that 15,500 additional volunteers to give back over 50,000 hours to Arizona communities. Further, these members worked directly with 147,161 people dedicating over 180,000 hours to communities across Arizona.



Positive Youth Development*



$1,200,000



The Division was awarded a $1.2 million grant over five years to support the continuation of the Initiative from 2003-08. Arizona is one of only nine states in the nation to receive this funding. The purpose of this initiative is to effectively increase the number and array of positive development opportunities available to young people, particularly in the areas of positive use of time, positive self-expression and civic engagement.



Extra Learning Opportunities*



Governor's Volunteer Service Awards

This awards program hosted by the Governor recognizes individual, groups and businesses that have made a significant contribution to Arizona communities through service. In 2003, fourteen awards were presented.



Grant from the National Governor's Association to plan and execute a summit to focus on students' out of time experiences.



$10,000



Governor's Mentoring Initiative

In January 2004, the Governor, by Executive Order, created a mentoring initiative that encourages the more than 62,000 state employees to mentor a school-aged child. Employees who choose to volunteer are given the option of using flextime of up to one hour a week to mentor a child.

Ninth Annual Arizona National & Community Service Conference



*Grants received through a competitive application process.



2003 Sponsored Conferences Governor's Youth Summits

The Governor's Youth Commission held the first-ever statewide youth summit in October 2003. Over 250 youth participated in service projects and developed recommendations to the Governor on specific issues that affect youth. Additional youth summits in northern and southern Arizona were held where an additional 250 youth participated.



National & Community Service

During this exciting three-day conference, approximately 200 AmericCorps*National Direct, AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and AmeriCorps*VISTA members of the Governor's Youth Commission attended valuable workshops designed to enhance their leadership and personal development, work on service projects in the Flagstaff community, and celebrated the rewards of doing service.



"It is through volunteerism that great things are accomplished and active citizens are made. " Governor Janet Napolitano



Parents Commission

The Parents Commission funds programs that increase and enhance parental involvement as well as improve education about the serious risks and public health problems caused by abuse of alcohol and controlled substances.



Governor's Division for Substance Abuse Policy

The mission of the Division for Substance Abuse Policy is to improve the delivery of substance abuse prevention, intervention and treatment services to make services more effective, efficient and available. To accomplish this, the Division works with multiple state agencies and organizations to integrate service delivery across systems to meet the needs of individuals and families that are impacted by substance abuse issues. The Division also supports the work of the Arizona Parents Commission and the Drug and Gang Policy Council.



Healthy Families

In partnership with the Arizona Parents Commission, the Division helped to secure significant funding for the Healthy Families program to support families with newborns as they overcome risks associated with child abuse and neglect.



Community Grant Awards for 2003

School-Based Parenting $1,000,000



2003 Sponsored Conferences

Drug Court Conference

Sponsored by the Arizona Parents Commission on Drug Education and Prevention, the Administrative Office of the Courts, and in cooperation with the Arizona Association of Drug Court Professionals, this conference provided a key forum for updates and discussions on the status of Arizona's Juvenile and Family Drug Courts, DUI Courts and diversion programs. The conference also focused on increasing the awareness of and participation in drug courts by agencies throughout the criminal justice system.



Funded more than 240 science-based programs designed to improve parenting skills and reduce youth drug abuse in schools throughout the state.



School Based Bullying Prevention

In support of the Governor's concern for school safety, The Division provided funding and support to the Men's Anti-violence Network and the Arizona Prevention Resource Center to implement the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program in Arizona schools.



Parenting Programs for Youth Drug Prevention



Funded six parenting programs across the state.



$860,000 $200,000



Youth Educating Parents



Two grants were awarded to get young people talking to parents about what they can do to prevent youth drug use.



Drug-Free Workplace Parent Training Programs



Recovery Month Event



Funded programs in a workplace setting designed to train parents on preventing youth drug use.



$190,000



Drug and Gang Policy Council

Chaired by the Governor, the Drug and Gang Policy Council fosters cooperation among state and local entities, neighborhood groups, community organizations and private groups to ensure the optimal delivery of education, treatment and prevention programs that will reduce the incidence of substance abuse by children, youth and families.



The Division co-sponsored this annual event, promoting the societal benefits of alcohol and drug use disorder treatment, lauding the contributions of treatment providers, and promoting the message that recovery from alcohol and drug use disorders is possible.



"Substance abuse has a profound effect on child welfare, crime, healthcare and many other social issues. It is a priority issue in the Governor's Office".

Governor Janet Napolitano



Substance Abuse and the Justice System

The Division for Substance Abuse Policy is working with the Arizona Department of Corrections and Juvenile Corrections to reduce the impact of substance abuse disorders on the justice system. The Division also continues to support drug courts and jail diversion programs.

Coyote Springs Elementary School in Prescott, October 2003.



Community Grant Awards for 2003

Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Grant: Title II and Challenge $1,500,000

Awarded 23 renewal grants and 8 newly awarded grants for programs statewide, including delinquency prevention and intervention components as well as targeted program development to address the need for the de-institutionalization of status offenders and increased availability of aftercare services for youth involved in the juvenile justice system.



The Governor's Division for Children

The Division for Children seeks to promote and advance the strength and well being of Arizona's children and families. The Division specializes in administering federal juvenile justice grants and guides policy regarding the issues of juvenile justice, delinquency prevention, intervention and juvenile accountability, the core protections of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act, and child welfare issues.



Juvenile Accountability Block Grant: State Retained



Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act

$278,000

The JJDP Act of 1974 established the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention at the United States Department of Justice to support state and local efforts to prevent juvenile delinquency and improve the juvenile justice system. The Act also established four core protections with which states must be compliant in order to be eligible to receive available JJDP funding. The Governor's Division for Children works in partnership with OJJDP to further the goals of the JJDP Act and to ensure Arizona's compliance with the four core protections of the Act. The Division, in partnership with the Arizona Juvenile Justice Commission, maintains a focus on achieving compliance with the core protections through both policy recommendations and defining responsive funding priorities for the award of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention program funding. In 2003, Arizona received a finding of compliance with the core protections from OJJDP and was thereby able to allocate the awarded federal funds to support juvenile justice programming in Arizona communities.



Awarded JABG state-retained funds to the Arizona Supreme Court and the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections to support enhanced statewide information sharing systems and accountability-based programming options.



Juvenile Accountability Block Grant: Local Pass-Through



Awarded funds to 26 Arizona communities, including 13 counties, 9 cities, and 4 tribes. Throughout Arizona, JABG funds support a variety of successful programs, including community service and restitution programming, safe schools programs, and technology enhancements for more effective information sharing among juvenile justice stakeholders.



$2,200,000



The Arizona Juvenile Justice Commission

The Commission provides leadership to the State and to local communities to develop and maintain a coordinated best practice approach to juvenile justice and delinquency prevention, intervention and accountability. In 2003, Commissioners identified strategic initiatives to direct the work of their committees, including the following: bringing Arizona into compliance with the core protections of the JJDP Act, identifying and addressing practices that contribute to Disproportionate Minority Contact in Arizona's juvenile justice system, promoting prevention and early intervention in Arizona's juvenile justice system by optimizing positive outcomes for youth and ensuring public safety, and educating the public about issues related to youth within or at-risk of entering the juvenile justice system.



Improving Outcomes for Children and Youth



"I believe that the future of Arizona depends on early intervention and a true investment in our children." Governor Janet Napolitano



The Division works to further state and local initiatives focused on improving practice, policy and outcomes for children in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Staff of the Division for Children work closely with the following: the Governor's Commission on Child Protective Services Reform, the Governor's Children's Cabinet, the Child Fatality Review Team, the Building Blocks Project, the Pima County Community Advisory Board, and the Pima County Juvenile Services Coordinating Council.



Lifting the Lives of Latino Youth



Distributing blankets at Thomas Pappas School, January 2003.



The Division co-sponsored the 2003 Southwestern State Behavioral Health and Juvenile Justice Summit. The purpose of the summit was to discuss and draft multi-state recommendations to improve the outcomes for Latino youth in, or at-risk of, entering the Juvenile Justice system.



Governor's Office for Children, Youth and Families

2003 Boards and Commissions Task Forces and Committees



Advisory Task Force on Improving Long-Term Outcomes for Incarcerated Women and Their Children Arizona Juvenile Justice Commission Arizona's Parent's Commission on Drug Education and Prevention Arizona State Citizen Corps Council Children's Cabinet Children's Justice Task Force Commission on the Health Status of Women Commission on Service and Volunteerism Commission to Prevent Violence Against Women Council on 2-1-1 Drug and Gang Policy Council Federal Interagency Grant Review Team Foundation Roundtable Head Start Collaboration Advisory Council Interagency and Community Council on Homelessness School Readiness Board Task Force on the Earned Income Tax Credit Task Force on Juvenile Corrections Reform 211 Community Advisory Council Youth Commission



Descriptions and member lists can be found on the GOCYF website.



www.governor.state.az.us/cyf or call (602) 542-4043