WHAT IS THE YOUTH POLICY ALLIANCE?

YIPA is the current fiscal agent and coordinating agency for this collective group of agencies.  The Youth Policy Alliance (YPA) is a coalition of youth serving organizations, associations, and collaboratives with a statewide presence working together to ensure sound youth policy in Minnesota. The YPA has come together to create a framework of support that ensures all children and youth move into adulthood ready for life.

The YPA is made up of representatives from the following:

• Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee (JJAC)
• Juvenile Justice Coalition (JJC)
• Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) 
• Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota (MPM)
• Minnesota Alliance With Youth
• Minnesota Workforce Council Association
• Minnesota Youth Intervention Programs Association (YIPA)
• Youth Community Connections (YCC)

Supporting a Continuum of Care:

A comprehensive youth service system would incorporate the following focus areas, providing a continuum of supports and opportunities for children and youth across developmental needs and life circumstances:

• Youth Intervention
• Mentoring
• Out of School Time
• Homelessness Prevention & Services
• Juvenile Justice 
• Youth Workforce Development

Rally for Youth Day at the Capitol:

The Rally for Youth Day at the Capitol was created so that hundreds of participants from dozens of organizations throughout MN could come together annually to rally behind common issues.  Youth services do not exist or work in an exclusive, solitary environment to meet the needs of young people. We must engage communities and enact policies that promote a comprehensive approach to youth policy.  The Youth Policy Alliance (YPA) promotes:

• Investing in youth IS part of the solution!
• Access to youth service programs allow young people the ability to contribute to their communities by becoming ready for lifelong learning, work, and community involvement.
• An investment in our young people now is an investment for the future of our communities.
• Access to quality programs helps keep young people safe and stable so they can make good decisions and reach their full potential.
• Young people want to contribute to their communities, and it is through youth service programs they are able to be part of the solution.
• As our state and country focuses on creating jobs for adults, we must NOT forget about long-term investments in services for our youth that help them become contributing members of society.
• A healthy investment in youth services now keeps young people out of the costly juvenile justice system.