It’s well known that no single support or program is enough to ensure children and youth are on track developmentally, educationally, socially and emotionally.

Unfortunately, the manner in which rules, regulations and government structures are crafted makes it difficult for leaders to create and implement coordinated programs and services that address the comprehensive needs of young people. But there is much that can be done to simplify and untangle the patchwork of rigid polices and funding streams so they are more efficient and effective.

The Forum for Youth Investment’s policy staff work with federal, state and local leaders to assess and align government policies horizontally (i.e., across systems) and vertically (i.e., between levels of government from local to federal). Over the past 10 years, the team has increasingly trained their research, facilitation and advocacy skills on one task: promoting the art and science of policy alignment.

We do most of this work by supporting Children’s Cabinets. Sometimes known as councils or commissions or P-20 councils, Children’s Cabinets are typically made up of the heads of all government agencies with child- and youth-serving programs. They meet regularly to coordinate services, develop a common set of outcomes, and collaboratively decide upon and implement plans to foster the well-being of young people.

The Forum’s Children’s Cabinet Networks consist of the Local Children’s Cabinet Network (in partnership with the Education Redesign Lab at Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Children’s Funding Project) and the State Children’s Cabinet Network (in partnership with the National Governors Association). We also work to support policy alignment at the federal level, for example partnering with the American Institutes for Research to provide technical assistance to the Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs (the federal government’s current closest equivalent to a children’s cabinet). Members of these networks share best practices and learn more about tools that focus on bringing efficiency and effectiveness to their efforts to improve outcomes for young people.