Birth to 22: United for Brighter Futures

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2018

Birth to 22: United for Brighter Futures (Birth to 22) is a cradle to career collaborative of youth serving organizations with a mission to support the healthy growth, development and education of children and youth prenatally through young adulthood, so that they can graduate from high school and succeed in life. Birth to 22 utilizes the steps to success, indicating the six (6) domains of child and youth development- physical health, behavioral health, academic readiness, social/emotional well-being, career readiness and connection and contributing to community and society. The steps represent key markers of success with key supports through a combination of effective parenting and safe and nurturing families and communities. For the last four (4) years, this alliance has engaged other existing coalitions, networks and youth serving organizations, as well as connecting with families, community members, and, most importantly, with local youth directly. Recognizing the role of equity in ensuring all Palm Beach County children have an opportunity at a bright future with a shared commitment to equity and the desire to ensure that all youth get what they need to be successful academically, psychologically, emotionally, and socially. The result of this massive engagement effort is a well-vetted set of priorities for young people that include concrete recommendations for collective action and measurable targets which was published in the 2016, titled “Strengthening the Steps to Success: Youth Master Plan for Palm Beach County” (Youth Master Plan).