Statewide implementation and institutionalization of the Youth Thrive framework will take support from policy makers and leadership as well as commitment from youth care workers across the state.
Structure and Roles
1. State Coordination Team provides implementation coordination, support to regional and statewide efforts and collaboration with CSSP. It is comprised of State Government representatives and statewide NGO partners. The State Coordination Team will:
● Coordinate and facilitate the Statewide Leadership and Learning Team including recruitment and maintenance of avenues of
communication
● Plan and implement statewide Training of Trainers (ToT)
● Provide statewide vision and guidance
● Develop buy in and support from leadership and policy makers
● Provide ongoing educational and best practice resources for regional leadership
● Procure financial support for state and regional efforts
● Maintain an implementation plan guidance document
● Develop statewide progress and outcome measures
● Collect, track and analyze data around statewide progress and outcomes measures
2. Vermont Youth Thrive Trainers provide input to the State Coordination Team and leadership for the Regional Communities of Practice. The group is comprised of individuals who have completed the Youth Thrive Training of Trainers (ToT) curriculum, regional representation, and State partners. The Vermont Youth Thrive Trainer will:
● Provide one to two Youth Thrive practitioner trainings per year in their respective regions, or assist other team members to
provide trainings in another region
● Assist in the collection and analysis of progress and outcome measures
● Facilitate the creation of a Regional Community of Practice
● Participate in quarterly statewide conference calls to:
o Update on regional implementation
o Provide guidance and input to the Coordinating Committee
o Coordinate with other regions
o Improve their training practice and maintain fidelity to the model
o Access ongoing guidance and support
Participants on this team will not have financial compensation for their time provided by the project, but they will have access to local and national resources, opportunities for statewide networking, professional development, building organizational and individual expertise and support in building community awareness and developing practice.
3. Regional Communities of Practice provide partners working within AHS districts an opportunity to connect with each other, enhance and align their service array, access ongoing support for implementing the Youth Thrive framework within their agency and practice. Regional Communities of Practice will be coordinated and facilitated by the Vermont Youth Thrive Training Partnership and Learning Community. The expectations for the Regional Communities of Practice are:
● Create opportunities for discussion and resource sharing
● Assess the system of care available for adolescents in their region, identifying gaps, overlaps and needed resources. These
meetings can be part of another regional meeting or standalone efforts.
Example: Carve out some time in your Strengthening Families or IFS regional workgroups, or dedicate some time in your local
interagency team meetings to discuss the Protective and Promotive factors from the Youth Thrive framework. Ensure that
adolescent service providers are invited to the table if tagging on to an already existing group.
● Develop a plan to enhance youth outcomes and regional supports.
● Track and measure impacts created by systems change and increased trainings based on the Youth Thrive framework and
initiative.
● Support the statewide evidence collection efforts for Youth Thrive implementation.
