Youth System Overview
Area Snapshot
Riverside County, with a population of 1,699,112, is the fifth largest county in California. In the 1990's, it was one of the fastest growing counties in the country, and it appears it will be no different this decade. Geographically, it is the fourth largest county, stretching nearly 200 miles across and covering over 7,200 square miles of fertile river valleys, low deserts, mountains, foothills and rolling plains.
Riverside County is home to a large youth population. Thirty percent of the County's population is under 18 years old. The K-12 system, comprised of 23 school districts, serves 349,151 school-aged youth. The county has the fifth largest county enrollment in the state. Scores on the state's STAR tests have risen 17% in reading and 37% in math in the past three years. The school dropout rate of 3.2% is just below the state rate of 3.8%. Approximately 22% of Riverside County's youth, 18 years and under, live in poverty. There are over 1,200 youth, ages 13-18, in foster care. The county's youth face a tough job market with a state unemployment rate for 16 to 19 year olds at 19.3%, compared to 5.6% for adults.
Top
Community Collaboration
The Riverside County Workforce Development Board and Council for Youth Development are committed to moving from stand-alone programs to a comprehensive youth system that supports the education and employment success of all youth. The foundation for the county's youth system is eight, community-driven, Youth One-Stops. Operated by community partnerships, the Youth Opportunity Centers of Riverside County serve as the hub where youth can come to receive the support and services they need. Each community collaboration is comprised of the local school district, post-secondary education, private-sector business and community-based organizations. The centers are located in areas most accessible to youth. While each are unique in size and physical design, all provide a safe, comfortable, engaging environment for young people. A sound studio, multi-media production equipment, recreation room, comfortable couches, video games, stereos and televisions are just a few of the amenities that keep youth coming through the doors. Each partnership offers youth a variety of developmental activities that support academic achievement and workforce preparation.
Top
Community Forums
Fourteen community forums were held in the early stages of WIA implementation. The forums focused on building a youth system through local partnerships and resource leveraging. The forums were catalysts to the establishment of the eight Youth Opportunity Centers and partnerships. As a result, one city donated a building to house their youth center. The collaborative spirit of communities has continued. One existing center, located on an alternative school campus, will soon have a newly renovated, 9,000 square foot center funded by County Redevelopment funding. A local Home Depot Store made significant contributions towards the renovations of another Youth Opportunity Center. The center also has a state-of-the-art, professional sound studio due to the contributions of a major electronics retailer. Education is a key partner. Local school districts provide teachers for tutoring and basic skills instruction. One local community college has partnered with three of the centers to provide customized occupational skills training in manufacturing and construction and to support youth moving on to community college.
Top
|
|