Program Description

  CYF Special Projects and Initiatives

The Special Projects & Initiatives Unit manages a portfolio of County-wide and department-wide initiatives that advance strategic priorities for children, youth, and families. Acting as a centralized hub for planning, coordination, and execution, the unit supports leadership in handling complex, cross-cutting tasks.

Key endeavors led and supported by the unit include the Youth Resilience Initiative (YRI), DHHS Out-of-School Time (OST) contracts and grants, department-wide Family Resource Capabilities (FRC) initiatives, and coordination of the Commission on Children and Youth. Additionally, the unit oversees internal service area strategic planning and implementation processes.

The program strengthens alignment, elevates the voices of youth and families, and ensures effective implementation across these initiatives. Utilizing project management, strategic advising, implementation, and evaluation, the unit leverages collaborative tools and structured processes to advance initiatives efficiently. Stakeholder engagement, contract and grant monitoring, community involvement, and strategic touchpoints are integral to the successful execution of its work.