Evaluation of the Chicago Youth Policymakers Initiative – Mikva Challenge
| Team |
|---|
|
D. Van Zytveld, CURL |
|
M. Guzman, CURL |
|
A. Bohnert, Affiliated Faculty |
|
M. Uetricht, Undergraduate Fellow |
Overview
Mikva Challenge, through its many programs, works to build a new generation of civic leaders, activists and policy-makers. Having had success with youth policy boards in the past, Mikva is seeking to expand into new areas – health and community safety – to connect youth voices with local policy makers. The purpose of the Chicago Youth Policymakers Initiative is to strengthen youth participation in the formation, implementation, and evaluation of public policy in city government through the creation of four issue-based youth councils. These youth councils will be created over a 3 year period and serve as youth policy experts and youth advocates, helping the Mayor, City Council Members, and City Commissioners make public policy decisions affecting youth. These youth councils will collaborate with other youth activism agencies in the city and address important issues such as community safety, youth employment, out of school youth programming, and youth health. The councils will also serve as a mechanism for all Chicago youth to have input on key policy decisions affecting youth in our city. CURL is partnering with Mikva Challenge to conduct a process and outcome-based evaluation that will assess the effects of the youth councils on adolescent's intrapersonal skills, such as activism, self-efficacy, and leadership. The initiative will also be evaluated to determine if the youth councils have made a significant impact on local public policy and resource allocation. A multi-method approach is being developed to obtain information from all of the stakeholders.