Policy Change and Development

Policy change and development involves revising existing state and local policies, as well as the development of new policies. For the purpose of SS/HS, policy change and development is focused on policies that foster collaboration and coordination across youth-serving agencies and organizations such as schools, behavioral health, criminal/juvenile justice, law enforcement, child welfare, and early childhood.

SS/HS requires the development of a comprehensive plan that focuses on how the coordination and integration of multiple service systems (e.g., education, behavioral health, criminal/juvenile justice, law enforcement, child welfare, and early childhood) will be accomplished. In an effort to coordinate and integrate systems, policy revision and development at state and local levels is critical. Some examples include:

• developing policies addressing early screening and assessment (Element 1);
• revising policies and procedures as needed to ensure enhanced communication and information sharing across service systems (such as common referral or intake forms) (Element 2);
• adopting a community policing philosophy, supported by policies, procedures, and staff training (Element 3)
• developing anti-bullying and anti-harassment policies (Element 5)