Economic Security Is One of Six Life Areas That Make up the New York State Touchstones Framework

Touchstones

Touchstones Overview

The NYS Touchstones vision is that all children, youth and families will be healthy and have the knowledge, skills and resources to succeed in a dynamic society. The Touchstones framework is organized by six major life areas:

·  Economic Security;

·  Physical and Emotional Health;

·  Education;

·  Citizenship;

·  Family; and

·  Community.

Each life area has a set of goals and objectives-representing expectations about the future, and a set of indicators-reflecting the status of children and families. The goals and objectives are integrally related to each other and call for comprehensive strategies to address any single aspect of children and family well-being.

Touchstones Purpose

Touchstones are a tool to help guide State and local efforts. The common set of goals and objectives cuts across all service systems and allows individuals and organization's with diverse missions to come together to improve conditions for children and families.

Touchstones Background

The commissioners and directors of New York State's health, education and human services agencies recognized that to improve outcomes in each of the areas for which they had responsibility, it was necessary to shift to a new paradigm characterized by prevention, early intervention and family/youth involvement. Further, to increase the effectiveness of the various systems, the agencies embarked on an effort to develop a common set of measurable goals and objectives that lead to improved outcomes for children and families. From these actions, the Council and its 12 member agencies developed New York State Touchstones.

Soon after, the Council became part of the national KIDS COUNT network, funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Recognizing the important link between Touchstones and KIDS COUNT, the Council saw the NYS Touchstones/KIDS COUNT data books as the vehicle for highlighting the status of New York’s children and families. The first data dissemination effort was the NYS Touchstones/KIDS COUNT 1998 Data Book.

However, Council staff recognized the limitations of printed documents and began developing a website to make the data directly available to their stakeholders in a format that could be used for further analysis. Several events helped move the initiative forward including a Health and Human Services grant in 1998 for promoting the use of indicators in human services and, in 2002, support from the New York State e-Commerce/e-Government initiative promoting the Internet as a vehicle for doing the state’s business.

During the early development phase, the Council, in conjunction with the Center for Technology in Government and Cornell University's College of Human Ecology, conducted community assessments around the State to get input from government, non-government, and not for profit agencies as well as from advocacy groups on what these potential users wished to see included in the website. An advisory group representing many stakeholders at all levels supported the development of the website on an ongoing basis.

With a grant from the State’s Office for Technology, the Council was able to contract with a vendor to do the technical development of an interactive, web-based tool that would allow data users to gather, plot and monitor New York State Touchstones/Kids Count data. The immediate goals of the Council were to have a website that was usable by the public, useful for managers in many organizations, and designed so well that it could be easily managed by Council staff. Having already made many of the content and data decisions as part of producing the data book proved to be a tremendous asset since the Council members and stakeholders statewide had already had a taste of the data and were now ready for more data in a more useable format.

Resources

Kids Wellbeing Indicators Clearinghouse

http://www.nyskwic.org

NYS Kids Count Initiative

http://www.nyscommunityjusticefourm.org/Initiatives/KidCountHome

Kids Count Data Book & Special Reports

http://www.nyscommunityjusticefourm.org/Initiatives/KidCountRelate/KCReports

Annie E Casey Foundation

http://www.aecf.org

Economic Security is one of six life areas that make up the New York State Touchstones framework. Each life area has a set of goals and objectives–representing expectations about the future, and a set of indicators–reflecting the status of children and families. The Touchstones framework provides a holistic approach as it cuts across all health, education and human service sectors.

Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: / Youth will be prepared for their eventual economic self-sufficiency.
Objective 1: / Youth will have skills, attitudes and competencies to enter college, the work force or other meaningful activities.
Objective 2: / Young adults who can work will have opportunities for employment.
Objective 3: / Youth seeking summer jobs will have employment opportunities.
Indicators for this Life Area:
·  Children and Youth Living Below Poverty
·  Children and Youth Receiving Food Stamps
·  Children and Youth Receiving Public Assistance
·  Children and Youth Receiving Supplemental Security Income
·  Children Receiving Free or Reduced-price School Lunch - Public Schools
·  Children and Youth Living in Low Income Families (Below 200% of Federal Poverty Level)

Services, Opportunities, and Supports

Career Counseling

Career Days/Fairs

Career Research & Planning

College Exploration & Readiness

College Research & Planning

Computer/Internet Skills

Employment

GED Preparation

Independent Living Skills

Interest & Skills Assessment

Job Shadowing

Job Training/Employment Skills Development

Matching with Employers for Internships/Work

Resume & Job Assistance

Self-sufficiency Skills Development

Summer Employment

Vocational Training

Work Readiness Skills

Physical and Emotional Health is one of six life areas that make up the New York State Touchstones framework. Each life area has a set of goals and objectives–representing expectations about the future, and a set of indicators–reflecting the status of children and families. The Touchstones framework provides a holistic approach as it cuts across all health, education and human service sectors.

Goals and Objectives
Goal 2: / Children and youth will have optimal physical and emotional health.
Objective 1: / Children and youth will be physically fit.
Objective 2: / Children and youth will be emotionally healthy.
Objective 3: / Children and youth will be free from health risk behaviors (e.g., smoking, drinking, substance abuse, unsafe sexual activity).
Objective 4: / Children and youth with service needs due to mental illness, developmental disabilities and/or substance abuse problems will have access to timely and appropriate services.
Indicators for this Life Area:
·  Adolescent Pregnancies and Births
·  Prenatal Care
·  Five Leading Causes of Death by Region (Three-Year Average)
·  Asthma (Three-Year Average)
·  Self-Inflicted Injuries (Three-Year Average)
·  Unintentional Injuries - Mortalities
·  Infant Mortality (Three-Year Average)
·  Lead Screening and Lead Elevated Incidence
·  Low Birth weight and Premature Births
·  Sexually Transmitted Diseases
·  Child and Adolescent Mortality (Three-Year Average)
·  Motor Vehicle Crashes
·  Five Leading Causes of Death by Race/Ethnicity (Three-Year Average)
·  Unintentional Injuries - Hospitalizations

Services, Opportunities, and Supports

Adolescent Sexuality Education

Alcohol/Substance Abuse Counseling

Alcohol/Substance Abuse Prevention Activities

Alcohol/Substance Abuse Treatment

Assessment of Service Needs

Athletic Activities

Case Management/Referrals

Child Care

Chronic Disease Prevention

Conflict Resolution/Anger Management Skills

Counseling

Counseling-Emotional (Self-Esteem, Other)

Crisis Intervention

Crisis Intervention Counseling

Group Counseling

Health Education

Health Medical services

HIV-AIDS/STD Prevention

Individual Counseling

Mental Health Services

Nutrition-Obesity Prevention

Nutrition and Food Programs

Peer Counseling

Pregnancy Prevention

Recreational Activities (Summer)

Recreational Activities (Year Round)

Resiliency Building

Self-esteem Workshops

Smoking Prevention/Cessation Activities

Suicide Prevention

Education is one of six life areas that make up the New York State Touchstones framework. Each life area has a set of goals and objectives–representing expectations about the future, and a set of indicators–reflecting the status of children and families. The Touchstones framework provides a holistic approach as it cuts across all health, education and human service sectors.

Goals and Objectives
Goal 3: / Children will leave school prepared to live, learn and work in a community as contributing members of society.
Objective 1: / Students will meet or exceed high standards for academic performance and demonstrate knowledge and skills required for lifelong learning and self-sufficiency in a dynamic world.
Objective 2: / Students will stay in school until successful completion.
Indicators for this Life Area:
·  Annual Dropouts-Public Schools
·  Students with Limited English Proficiency
·  High School Graduates Intending to Enroll in College-Public Schools
·  High School Graduates-Receiving Regents Diplomas-Public Schools
·  Student Performance in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics-Public Schools
·  Student Performance in Social Studies - Public Schools
·  Student Performance in Science - Public Schools
·  Student Performance in Mathematics - Public Schools
·  Student Performance in English Language Arts (ELA) - Public Schools

Services, Opportunities, and Supports

Academic Services/Education Related Services

Alternative Education

Arts & Crafts Education

Basic Literacy Support

Basic Math Support

Bilingual Education

Counseling-Education

Dropout Prevention

Learning Disabilities

Study Skills

Citizenship is one of six life areas that make up the New York State Touchstones framework. Each life area has a set of goals and objectives–representing expectations about the future, and a set of indicators–reflecting the status of children and families. The Touchstones framework provides a holistic approach as it cuts across all health, education and human service sectors.

Goals and Objectives
Goal 4: / Children and youth will demonstrate good citizenship as law-abiding, contributing members of their families, schools and communities.
Objective 1: / Children and youth will assume personal responsibility for their behavior.
Objective 2: / Youth will demonstrate ethical behavior and civic values.
Objective 3: / Children and youth will understand and respect people who are different from themselves.
Objective 4: / Children and youth will participate in family and community activities.
Objective 5: / Children and youth will have positive peer interactions.
Objective 6: / Children and youth will make constructive use of leisure time.
Objective 7: / Youth will delay becoming parents until adulthood.
Objective 8: / Children and youth will refrain from violence and other illegal behaviors.
Indicators for this Life Area:
·  Adolescent Arrests - for Property and Violent Crimes
·  Adolescent Arrests - for Drug Use/Possession/Sale/DUI
·  Adolescent Arrests - for Driving While Intoxicated
·  Hospitalizations Resulting from Assault (Three-Year Average)
·  Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) - Cases Opened
·  Referral to Court - JD Intakes
·  Referral to Court - JD - Intakes by Outcomes
·  Detention - JD Secure and Non-secure Admissions
·  Detention - JD Secure and Non-secure Admissions by Age & Gender
·  Court Processing - JD Original Petitions Involving Detention
·  Court Processing - JD Original Petitions Charge of Designated Felony (E-Petitions)
·  Court Dispositions - JD Original Petitions by Disposition
·  OCFS Placements - JD Placements
·  Court Dispositions - JD Violation Petitions Resulting in Placement
·  OCFS Placements - JD Placements by Age & Gender
·  Adolescent Arrests - by Top Charge
·  Court Dispositions - JD Placement Dispositions with Felony Findings
·  Court Dispositions - PINS Original Petitions by Disposition
·  Detention - PINS Non-Secure Admissions by Ethnicity & Race
·  Detention - JD Secure and Non-Secure Length of Stay
·  Court Processing - PINS Original Petitions Average Adjournments
·  Referral to Court - PINS - Referred for Court Petition
·  Court Processing - PINS Original Petitions Disposed at Initial Appearance
·  Detention - PINS Non-secure Admissions
·  Court Processing - PINS Median Days
·  Court Processing - JD Median Days
·  Court Processing - PINS Original Petitions Cases Involving Detention
·  Detention - JD Secure and Non-secure Admissions for Violation of Probation
·  Detention - JD Secure and Non-Secure Admissions by Authority
·  Detention - PINS Non-secure Admissions by Age & Gender
·  Adolescent Arrests - Ages 10-15
·  OCFS Placements - JD Placements by Placement Type
·  OCFS Placements - JD Placements by Service Need
·  OCFS Placements - JD Placements by Top Adjudicated Offense
·  Referral to Court - JD - Offenses Designated Felonies
·  Court Processing - JD Original Petitions Average Adjournments
·  Court Processing - JD Original Petitions Average Age
·  Court Processing - JD Original Petitions Disposed at Initial Appearance
·  Court Dispositions - PINS Placements
·  Adolescent Arrests - by Gender
·  Adolescent Arrests - by Top Charge & Gender
·  Court Dispositions - JD Placements
·  Court Dispositions - PINS Violation Petitions Resulting in Placement
·  Court Processing - PINS Original Petitions Average Age
·  Detention - JD Secure and Non-secure Admissions by Ethnicity & Race
·  OCFS Placements - JD Placements by Ethnicity & Race
·  Detention - JD Secure and Non-secure Admissions by Charge Severity
·  Detention - PINS Non-secure Admissions by Authority
·  Detention - PINS Non-secure Admissions for Violation of Probation
·  Detention - PINS Non-secure Admissions for Truancy Allegation
·  Detention - PINS Non-Secure Length of Stay
·  Adolescent Arrests - by Ethnicity & Race
·  Young Adult - Arrests for Property and Violent Crimes
·  Young Adult - Arrests for Drug Use/Possession/Sale
·  Young Adult - Arrests for Driving While Intoxicated

Services, Opportunities, and Supports

After School Programs

Aftercare/Transitional Services

Character Education

Civic/Political Activities

Classism, Sexism, Racism Workshops

Community Service/Youth Activism Projects

Cultural Enrichment/Awareness

Gang Prevention/ Intervention

Gang Violence/Intervention

Juvenile Aid Bureau/Officer

Juvenile Justice Diversion Services

Leadership Skills Development

Mediation

PINS Diversion Services

Safe Place Out of School Time

School Resource Officer

Supportive Relationships

Youth Court

Youth Leadership/Empowerment

Family is one of six life areas that make up the New York State Touchstones framework. Each life area has a set of goals and objectives–representing expectations about the future, and a set of indicators–reflecting the status of children and families. The Touchstones framework provides a holistic approach as it cuts across all health, education and human service sectors.

Goals and Objectives
Goal 5: / Families will provide children with safe, stable and nurturing environments
Objective 1: / Parent/caregivers will provide children with a stable family relationship.
Objective 2: / Parent/caregivers will possess and practice adequate child rearing skills.
Objective 3: / Parent/caregivers will be positively involved in their children's learning.
Objective 4: / Parent/caregivers will the knowledge and ability to access support services for their children.
Objective 5: / Parent/caregivers will provide their children with households free from physical and emotional abuse.
Objective 6: / Parent/caregivers will provide their children with households free from alcohol and other substance abuse.
Indicators for this Life Area:
·  Foster Care - Children and Youth In Care
·  Child Abuse and Maltreatment - Indicated Reports of Child Abuse and Maltreatment
·  Child Abuse and Maltreatment - Resulting in Court Cases
·  Child Abuse and Maltreatment - Resulting in Removal of Child
·  Foster Care - Terminated Parental Rights Judgments
·  Foster Care - Children and Youth Admitted to Foster Care
·  Foster Care - Children and Youth Discharged from Foster Care
·  Foster Care - Children and Youth Experience Abuse and Maltreatment in Foster Care
·  Foster Care - Two or Fewer Placement Settings While In Care Less Than 1 Year
·  Foster Care - Children and Youth with Permanent Exits from Foster Care
·  Foster Care - Children and Youth Re-enter Foster Care Within 24 Months of Discharge
·  Foster Care - Children in Indicated Reports of Child Abuse and Maltreatment while in Foster Care
·  Child Abuse and Maltreatment - Children and Youth in Indicated Reports of Child Abuse and Maltreatment
·  Foster Care - Adoption Milestones
·  Foster Care - Children and Youth Admitted to Foster Care by Subgroups
·  Foster Care - Children and Youth in Foster Care by Placement Type
·  Demographics
·  Foster Care - Parental Rights Surrendered

Services, Opportunities, and Supports