Program Management

Youth Network Council is a programmatically diverse organization with each of its programs consistent with its mission of supporting local, community-based youth serving agencies and enhancing their capacity to serve young people and their families in their respective communities. Currently, the organization's programs include:

Illinois Youth Services Resource Center (IYSRC): Since the inception of Illinois' system of community-based youth services in January 1982, the IYSRC has been providing training, technical assistance, and other support to local providers throughout the state.
Illinois Collaboration on Youth (ICOY): Established in 1979 by a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), ICOY is the membership arm of YNC. Since 1981, ICOY activities have been sustained through membership dues and other unrestricted revenue sources. ICOY focuses on the development of youth policy and legislation, which supports and enhances the capacity of local agencies to serve young people and families in their communities. In addition, ICOY works with the public sector and other funders of services to promote program initiatives that reflect best practices.

Mentoring Training & Support: YNC provides training and support services to Chicago Youth Centers’ Making Mentoring Meaningful (MMM), a community-based mentoring program, and the TEAM Program, a school-based mentoring program. Both programs provide one-on-one volunteers through positive and constructive mentoring relationships for young people.

Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission (IJJC): The Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission (the Commission) serves as the federally mandated State Advisory Group to the Governor, the General Assembly and the Illinois Department of Human Services. The Commission has 25 member positions appointed by the Governor. They have training, experience, and/or special knowledge concerning the prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency or the administration of justice.

Illinois Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (IJDAI): Through a grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and in coordination with the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission, Illinois' JJDPA State Advisory Group (SAG), YNC administers a state-wide effort to create incentives for jurisdictions to reduce census in their detention centers.

Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC): Under the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA), the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) provides administrative and staff support to the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission (IJJC), which is charged with the oversight of the implementation of the core requirements of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). One core requirement addresses the issue of Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC). Through a subcontract with IDHS, YNC administers a state-wide effort to reduce racial disparities in the juvenile justice system through systemic improvement and prevention.

Youth Services Capacity Enhancement Program (YSCEP): Through a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under the ARRA FY-09 Strengthening Communities Fund "Nonprofit Capacity Building Program," YNC provides capacity building activities in the city of Chicago. These activities emphasize outreach to organizations operating in the most distressed neighborhoods within the city that serve low-income youth and their families. YSCEP provides training and one-on-one technical assistance to grassroot organizations with a focus on the following capacity-building priorities: organizational development, program development, collaboration and community engagement, leadership development, and evaluation of effectiveness.

Find out more by participating in one of three application workshops:

Monday, September 13 @ 10:00AM http://youthnetworkcouncil.org/events-details.asp?id=77

Centers for New Horizons

4150 S. King Drive

Chicago, IL 60653

Tuesday, September 14 @ 10:00AM http://youthnetworkcouncil.org/events-details.asp?id=78

American Indian Center

1630 W. Wilson

Chicago, IL 60640

Thursday, September 16 @ 10:00AM http://youthnetworkcouncil.org/events-details.asp?id=79

Circle Urban Ministries

118 N. Central Avenue

Chicago, IL 60644

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

RFP available for download: https://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=batch_download&batch_id=UFVyaXRPZ2o4aU5FQlE9PQ

Chicago Safe Place Program: Through a grant from the OJJDP, under Promoting Child and Youth Safety: Community Initiatives, YNC promotes youth safety by preventing victimization of Chicago's youth through access to resources to prevent disengagement with families, family reunification services (when appropriate), and safe housing alternatives for unaccompanied and homeless youth.

Project Repay: Through a grant from the Jane Addams Juvenile Court Foundation, YNC works in coordination with the Cook County Department of Probation and Court Services, Juvenile Division, to administer restitution payments to crime victims of youth on probation who have completed community service.

International Programs (INTLPROG): YNC has current on-going commitments with the Veneto region of Italy and Youth Clubs, U.K., of Leicester, England to develop study tours, staff exchanges, and other program opportunities. Through the Mexican Consulate in Chicago, YNC also is exploring exchange and study tour opportunities with the State of Jalisco, Mexico. In addition, negotiations with government and youth development leaders in China's Zheijang Province are in process, as well as Sister Cities relationships through the Chicago Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers that have included study tours with Hamburg, Germany; Casablanca, Morocco; and Durban, South Africa.