Representatives Harris -
Pritchard
Illinois is committed to providing the best start in life for all
children and youth. Recent initiatives to expand health care and
preschool for all children statewide are significant steps toward
establishing Illinois as a national leader in providing foundational
services to its youngest residents. Yet, there continue to be unmet
needs, service gaps, and other challenges facing children and youth.
Illinois needs a coordinated body that is proactive and
strategic in nature, that engages the diverse array of children and
youth stakeholders, and takes a comprehensive approach to improving
and expanding service delivery to prepare all children and youth in
Illinois for successful transitions to adulthood.
HB 4456 creates the Illinois Commission on Children, Youth and
Families to work collaboratively and strategically across diverse
service delivery systems to support and enhance a more intentional,
aligned, coordinated and comprehensive set of children and youth
service systems in Illinois. Key public and private stakeholders will
serve on the Commission to advise state planning, priority setting,
and investment of resources in children, youth, and families.
Membership – The Commission will be composed of a diverse
array of public and private stakeholders with expertise and a
demonstrated interest in issues impacting children, youth and
families, including: members of the General Assembly; a member of
the Governor’s Leadership Team; representatives of State agencies
serving children, youth and families; public members from fields
such as child advocacy, child welfare, children’s mental health,
civic engagement, education, healthcare and wellness, housing and
homelessness, human rights, juvenile justice, philanthropy, pregnant
and parenting youth, substance abuse, and workforce development; as
well as parents and young people themselves.
Goals – The goals of the Commission shall include enhancing
coordination of existing state program and services and developing
innovated strategies related to preventive health, education
completion, workforce development, social and emotional development,
and civic engagement. The Commission will consider the following
factors in its assessments and recommendations: Strategies to
broaden access to programs and services to youth up through age 24;
Disparities in access and outcomes that may be present along racial,
ethnic, geographic, gender, sexual orientation, and other variables;
Mechanisms to ensure youth, family and community input in the
Commission process; and Mechanisms for data collection and tracking
that integrate data across programs and funding streams when
possible.
Report – The Commission will issue an interim report to the
constitutional officers and members of the General Assembly on its
activities, findings, and recommendations on or before December 31,
2009 and a final report on or before December 31, 2011.
Through the creation of the Commission, Illinois can leverage the
wealth of experience and expertise that is present across the state to
devise solutions that support the well-being of all children, youth,
and their families and the future well-being of our State as a whole.
