About the Unified Implementation Team
In 2019, the renewal of three city plans affecting children and families coincided: the Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) Equity for All Strategic Plan 2025, the Alexandria Health Department (AHD) and the Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria Community Health Improvement Plan 2025 (CHIP), and the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) Children and Youth Master Plan 2025 (CYMP).
In one of the first major plan alignment efforts of the city, the leadership of these organizations established a Unified Implementation Team to jointly develop the three plans in areas where the goals and outcomes overlapped.
Guiding Principals
The Unified Planning Team is committed to three underlying and interconnected principles to guide the implementation of the respective plans:
Trauma-informed approaches serve to create awareness that the prevalence of trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) impacts health, behavior and outcomes. The aim is to develop a shared language about trauma and resilience and improve results by recommending effective strategies that target the root causes of trauma at the family and community level.
Racial equity is at the heart of the work, which aims to correct systems and policies that negatively impact Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. By aligning planning across the city, the aim is to create the conditions needed for ALL Alexandrians to thrive, with an emphasis on ensuring that race will not determine quality of life, opportunities or outcomes.
Developmental assets approach to mitigate ACEs by nourishing positive outcomes. Developmental Assets® are the 40 positive supports, relationships and strengths that young people need to succeed. The more assets that young people have, the less likely they are to engage in a wide range of high-risk behaviors and the more likely they are to thrive.
Together these plans will build community resilience by mitigating trauma and adversity, centering equity and building developmental assets.
Aligned Strategies
The Unified Planning Team identified five high-level strategies that align with the goals of each strategic plan:
1: Develop job readiness, career and employment opportunities.
2: Engage students and families with supports and services within schools.
3: Improve and increase out of school learning.
4: Enhance technical infrastructure and close the digital divide.
5: Implement integrated collaborative systems that help families and the community support the socio-emotional and physical development of children and youth.
Quotes from Community Youth Focus Groups
Graduation & Job Readiness
"We all need to graduate and have a plan for the future."
"Counselors and educators need to be able to meet the needs of students of color through the college process."
"We want access to more affordable/free higher education and preparation for alternatives to college."
Support Services
"We need someone to talk with to feel better and learn how to cope and feel less pressure in school."
"We want the schools to promote our self-care and offer more free periods and calm spaces."
"We need more support at school for troubles at home and we need more trusted psychologists for mental health services."
Out of School Learning
"We need more after school programs, literacy programs and more art events."
" We want to advocate for more teachers after school helping us and for volunteer opportunities and tutoring."
Community Support & Digital Divide
"Our families need access to affordable, healthy, culturally appropriate food, including in school."
"We would like more sports, parks, playgrounds, chances to learn about technology, and activities to keep us healthy."
Community Reports
The Unified Implementation Team reports out twice a year, in the spring and fall.
Initial reports focus on outputs, or the work that is being done through policies, programs, and education and outreach related to the aligned strategies.
Future reports will include outcomes achieved and any gaps or needs that are identified.