Systems Collaboration: The cross-system collaboration of the YTAT impacts the larger umbrella systems of its members and is improving outcomes for youth in the areas of education, employment, and permanency.

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The YTAT includes representatives from multiple systems.

The YTAT includes professional representatives from child welfare, education, and workforce development as well as other systems.

The YTAT includes foster youth and professional representatives from child welfare, education, and workforce development as well as other systems.

The YTAT includes youth and professional representatives from all relevant systems that are responsible for preparing youth for transition through a focus on employment, education, and permanency.

The YTAT includes youth and professional representatives from all relevant systems that are responsible for preparing youth for transition through a focus on employment, education, and permanency. Formal cross-system agreements and measures are in place.

No significant or formal partnerships are in place between the multiple systems represented in the YTAT.

Some programmatic partnerships are in place between 2 or more systems among YTAT members.

Programmatic partnerships and some system-focused partnerships are in place between 2 or more systems represented in the YTAT.

Many programmatic and system partnerships and agreements are in place between multiple systems in the YTAT.

There is a formal and well articulated, connected, comprehensive cross-system partnership in place among the YTAT members. Systems and operations support cross-system work.

Local policy and regulations are focused on individual programs and agencies.

System partners have identified the need to shift the focus of local policy and regulations to support systems collaboration.

Some local policy and regulations have been adjusted to support systems collaboration.

Many Local policies and regulations have been adjusted to supportsystems collaboration.

Local policies and priorities have been set to support a single, youth transition system.

Leadership: Leaders ensure the partnership has clear and well-understood goals and a coherent, aligned, well-organized set of components and activities to attain them. Leaders from partner organizations articulate the YTAT vision and values both internally and externally, work in collaboration with other systems, and are committed to continuous improvement.

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System leaders are aware of the YTAT and endorse participation.

System leaders are involved at a distance with the YTAT and will at times consider recommendations that improve internal and/or external services to foster youth.

System leaders are involved with the YTAT and keep informed on it's activities. They support and implement recommendations that improve internal and/or external services to foster youth.

System leaders are actively involved in the YTAT and are changing internal practices that are improving services to foster youth.

System leaders are formally involved in the YTAT and are not only improving internal practices, but are working towards systemically changing the way multiple systems are working together to serve foster youth.

There is an informal understanding of the purpose of the YTAT that is held by most members.

There is a general understanding of the purpose of the YTAT that is held by its members.

There is a well defined purpose and vision for the YTAT that is understood by all of the members of the team.

There is a well defined purpose and vision for the YTAT that is understood by all members and some of the surrounding professionals in the systems involved in the partnership.

There is a well defined purpose and vision for the YTAT that is widely communicated and understood throughout the systems involved in the partnership.

Roles and responsibilities within the YTAT have not been defined.

Roles and responsibilities within the YTAT are informally defined.

Roles and responsibilities within the YTAT are informal and shift between members based on availability, interest, and funding.

Roles and responsibilities within the YTAT are formal and clearly defined.

Roles and responsibilities within the YTAT are formal and written agreements are in place.

Scope of Partnership: Core collaborative partners are identified, their commitments are clearly defined, and the structure and strategic goals of the YTAT have been identified and are regularly evaluated.

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Specific strategic goals have not been set for the YTAT.

Strategic goals have been developed but are programmatic, and not necessarily informed by or connected to child welfare, education, workforce, or other systems.

The strategic goals of the YTAT are informed by child welfare, education, workforce, and other system priorities.

The strategic goals of the YTAT are informed by and connected to the strategic plans of the larger umbrella systems including: child welfare, education, workforce development, and other support systems.

The strategic goals of the YTAT have been formally integrated into the strategic plans of one or more partner systems such as child welfare, education, or workforce development.

YTAT activities are not funded.

YTAT activities and funding sources have been mapped and gaps are identified.

YTAT activities and funding from different partners are connected in a network of services provided over time.

Some attempts at blending, stacking, and braiding of activities and funding have been made by the YTAT.

YTAT activities and funding from different partners are intentionally blended, stacked, and braided. New or re-aligned resources have been established to address gaps.

Decisions within the YTAT are made by going back to partnering organizations and system leaders. Decision-making is a lengthy process.

Decisions can be proposed by YTAT members, but commitments have to be approved by non-YTAT decision-makers and system leaders.

Some decisions and commitments can be made by most YTAT members.

Decisions and commitments can be made by all YTAT members, but implementation strategies often take time to make operational.

YTAT members can readily act on new issues as they arise, quickly make decisions that involve their respective systems, and swiftly reduce barriers to successful youth transition.

Measurement Systems: Processes for regular data collection are integrated into the practice of all collaborative partners. Data is regularly synthesized and published. Data is replicable. Data is used to make decisions about the refinement of program practices and system collaborations.

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There are currently no measurement systems in place other than those required by funders.

Data is collected, but not regularly used in making decisions.

Data is regularly collected, analyzed, and used in making system improvements and programmatic decisions.

Measurement systems and promising practices have been identified and indicators beyond those prescribed by funders are being developed to measure program effectiveness.

Measurement systems and promising practices have been identified and indicators beyond those prescribed by funders are used to measure program effectiveness and systems improvement.

Youth Centered Focus: Youth are engaged at a systemic level and are encouraged to provide feedback about services and program strategies. They are supported and empowered to play a formal, ongoing role in the YTAT collaborative.

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Youth are not involved in the YTAT at this time.

Youth sometimes sit at the YTAT table, and more are currently being recruited into the YTAT.

Multiple youth are actively engaged in providing feedback about YTAT program practices and participate in YTAT discussions and decisions.

Multiple youth are actively engaged in designing a comprehensive system that connects child welfare, education, workforce and other systems together.

Youth are equal partners in the YTAT and serve in leadership roles.

Program Practice: YTAT members are aware of foster youth issues across multiple systems and receive regular cross-training by YTAT partners. The YTAT has a clear framework for providing services and addressing youth needs.

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YTAT members are only aware of foster youth issues within their own systems.

YTAT members have an informal understanding of foster youth issues in other systems.

YTAT members engage in cross-training about foster youth issues across systems.

YTAT members have a clear understanding and awareness of foster youth issues across systems.

YTAT members have integrated their cross-systems awareness of foster youth issues into their practices.

YTAT members have limited awareness of programs and support services that exist outside of the child welfare system.

YTAT members are aware of career development programs and classes, workforce development programs, social services, and other support services.

Social workers and case managers among the YTAT partner organizations are aware of career development, workforce development, social services, and other support services; and they connect some foster youth to those programs and services.

Social workers, case managers, and others in the child welfare system and the YTAT partner organizations have a system in place to connect foster youth to career development, workforce development, social services, and other support services.

Social workers, case managers, and others in the child welfare system and the YTAT partner organizations equitably connect foster youth to career development, workforce development, social services, and other support services within a comprehensive system.

In general, very few foster youth know about or participate in career development and employment opportunities.

Some foster youth participate in career development and employment activities that they have accessed on their own without any support to navigate the system.

Some foster youth participate in career development and employment services through referral to education and workforce programs made by the YTAT members or access services on their own.

Many youth served by the YTAT, participate in career development and employment services through direct partnerships between child welfare, education, and/or workforce development systems.

All youth served by the YTAT, participate in career development and employment services through direct partnerships between child welfare, education, and/or workforce development systems.