New York State Department of Labor
Profiles of Promising Practices
JEFFERSON-LEWIS COMMUNITY YOUTH MAPPING PROJECT
The WorkPlace
Spring 2001 - Present

Purpose

• To comprehensively and cohesively assess youth services in the community in order to improve their targeting, integration, and effectiveness.

How It Works

• "Youth Mappers" surveyed the community through scheduled on-site interviews in order to gauge the state of youth services in the area.
• Responses included answers to the survey (mainly “checkboxes” with some open-ended questions) as well as any additional information provided in narrative form.
• After adult supervisors reviewed each survey for completeness, youth staff entered responses into a database and scheduled second interviews required to obtain missing information.
• Survey staff (youth and adults) met each Friday to reflect on their experiences, review progress on the week’s goals, and to plan for the following week.

Results

• The project strengthened relationships between youth and adults, businesses, local organizations, and youth service providers.
• The results provided a comprehensive look at what community resources are available for young people.
• The project positively impacted WIA performance measures including career awareness, high school graduation, enrollment in post-secondary education, job placement, and job retention.

How They Did It

• Youth Council members were aware that similar programs were operating in an urban environment and decided to implement the program in a rural setting.
• Local workforce partners decided that informed decisions about youth service delivery would require the systematic identification and shared knowledge of needs and available resources.
• Members of the WIB and Youth Council attended a USDOL Region I presentation on Youth Mapping Strategies in Spring 2001, and used the information they received as the basis for the local project.
• WIB members selected two pilot sites, the Villages of Carthage and Lowville.
• The Center for Community Studies at SUNY Jefferson Community College assisted in the development of a survey instrument to capture key information.
• Youth Mappers conducted the survey interviews in the pilot communities during July-August 2001.
• The pilot project report on survey findings was completed in January 2002.

Start-Up Costs

• In the first year, the cost of staff, paying participants, transportation, supplies, and miscellaneous expenses came to $34,000.

Operating Costs

• Operating costs for the second year are projected to be similar to the $34,000 expenditure in the first year.

Funding

• WIA Youth and TANF Funds contributed to the project design, delivery and implementation.

Lessons Learned

• Start early and talk to as much of the community as possible. This helps to get the community behind the initiative and build some momentum.
• Establish an identity - give the youth shirts, advertise, and find ways to make the community aware of the initiative.
• It is information that will help the kids decide what to do for themselves, not telling them what to do.
• Approach the private sector for input and involvement - they are willing to help.
• This initiative is a benefit to the entire community, not just the youth.