Publications

Policy Analysis

Policy analysis · July 2026

The Youth and Families Mental Health Ecosystem: Why Minneapolis Built It and What It Reveals

A policy analysis of the YCB's seven-layer ecosystem model: the law and funding behind it, what the 2025 data shows, the twelve coordination gaps it names, and the three futures that follow from whether they close. Synthesized from the author's doctoral research at Claremont Graduate University.

Read the analysis

Discussion brief · July 2026

Young Black Men, Homicide Disparity, and Ethical Youth Engagement

A brief from the Forum for Children and Youth Wellbeing on protecting young people, resourcing youth workers, and expanding safe hours across Minneapolis.

Read the brief

Action plan · 2023

2023 Minneapolis Local Action Plan: Child Friendly Cities Initiative

Minneapolis's first UNICEF Child Friendly Cities Initiative Local Action Plan, developed by the City of Minneapolis Health Department and the Youth Coordinating Board from surveys and huddles with youth and parents. Four priorities (child-responsive emergency planning, youth voice in city decisions, community safety, and child rights education), each with strategies, partners, and indicators.

Read the plan

Review · December 2010

YCB Ready for Anything: A Review of the Coordination Framework, 1985–2010

Jane Leonard's 25th-anniversary review of the Youth Coordinating Board, tracing its origins in the 1985 joint powers agreement and its evolution from program manager back to cross-jurisdictional coordinator, with the full text of the 1985 Minnesota enabling legislation.

Read the review

Get Policy Analysis updates

Be the first to receive new briefs and analysis from the YCB.

Sign up