Policy & Systems Change
Our Process
SCY’s Policy Agenda is developed through a collaborative process that began in November 2012. The coalition identifies policies and, every two years, SCY revises these items through consensus-building. These ideas are then reviewed, refined and drafted into a document for comment.
Our Focus
SCY focuses on five interrelated key priorities to build communities’ and families’ capacity and skills to raise safe, resilient, emotionally healthy youth. The 2025-2026 policy agenda is supported by principles that were prioritized by our partners and is reflective of goals that can be achieved within SCY’s purview.
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What can policymakers do? |
What can individuals do? |
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Sustained investment in children and youth |
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Make a commitment to fund programs and implement laws that will enable our young people to reach their full potential. |
Parents: Establish a regular time to check in with your kids. Everyone: Consider becoming a tutor/mentor. Learn more about local opportunities through organizations like Tutor/Mentor Connection or the Illinois Mentoring Partnership. |
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Equitable access to high quality mental health services |
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Ensure that resources are dedicated to allow every Illinois resident to get the mental health care they need. |
Look out for our family, friends, and neighbors and encourage them to get help when you see signs of trouble.Learn more about the signs and symptoms of mental illness or crisis and how to help by attending a Mental Health First Aid training. |
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Juvenile justice system that reflects what we know about adolescent development |
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Recognize that adolescents’ brains are not fully developed and adopt policies that view a child’s involvement with the justice system as an opportunity for intervention to prevent further delinquent behavior. |
Parents: Model good behavior and teach children how to resolve conflict appropriately. Everyone: Get involved in community organizing with Community Organizing and Family Issues. |
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Sustained investment in strong communities |
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Adopt community and economic development policies to rectify the fact that the toll of violence falls disproportionately on low-income, minority communities. |
Get involved in your community—Join or start a block club, attend CAPS meetings, or volunteer at your local school.Get more information about block clubs at CAPS at home.chicagopolice.org and about Chicago Public schools at cps.edu. |