Program Implementation Plan

Phase I – Establish foundationIn the first two years of the program, we will extend the capabilities of existing programs and develop the S.O.S. program through the following tactical strategies:

•  Youth Advisory members will act as ambassadors in recruiting the initial S.O.S. participants.

•  Youth members will participate in hiring new staff for the program to ensure that youth understand the importance of their voice in the program.

•  Both youth and adult S.O.S. members will receive training in youth/adult partnership techniques.

•  Each site will establish a technology center that will include tools to support educational attainment.

•  Both youth and adult S.O.S. members will work together to identify and conduct additional training as required to accomplish site goals.

•  The State Advisory Board will oversee the activities at each site to ensure that they are youth-led with active adult participation.

Once the program foundation has been established (during the second and third year of the porgam), we will promote the S.O.S. identity throughout the local community through the following strategies:

•  Members will self-evaluate the prior year's program results, discussing lessons learned and ways to improve.

•  Members will prepare an Action Plan for the year to address the current year's goals and consider how the plan contributes to the long term goals of the program.

•  Both youth and adult S.O.S. members will work together to identify and conduct skills training (e.g., repeating previous training, presentation skills, public speaking, media training) to accomplish their annual goals.

•  The Local Advisory Board will work directly with the S.O.S. members to help them work with local government, businesses and other community agencies.

•  The State Advisory Board will monitor site progress towards long-term program goals of youth development and civic engagement.

Phase III – Expansion

By establishing strong youth/adult partnerships in the community and addressing community issues, S.O.S. will become a vital part of the community by engaging the creative energy of youth and connecting them to the community. Each site will document their growth and progress. The sites will work together with the State Advisory Board to develop a set of best practices that will be used to launch additional S.O.S. sites across the state.