Since the completion of “The Comprehensive Strategy for Polk County Youth” community plan (based on the research-based, data-driven, and outcome-focused model by Hawkins & Catalano) in 1999, much has changed:
Polk County’s school aged population is 68,968 young people, an increase of 0.4% (299 youth) from 2003 to 2004 (American Community Survey).

• There has been an increased emphasis upon results accountability and the need to make public investments based upon evidence-based programs and services.
• New research findings have expanded the knowledge about the critical importance of school-aged years to brain growth and development and the lifelong impacts of adequate supports and opportunities for all youth to succeed.
• The No Child Left Behind legislation has raised the bar for addressing achievement gaps across race and class, with academic success measured in test scores.
• The business community has increased their interest not only in financial investments in youth development, but in investments of their time.
• Through the Youth Development Partnership, which includes the United Way as a partner, Polk County has made strategic changes in services, opportunities and supports for school-aged youth.

The primary goal/result of the Business Case is: All Polk County Youth Graduate and are Successful in School

The community-wide measures/indicators of this result are:

• Graduation Rate
• Percent of students competent in Math at Grade Level – 8th grade
• Percent of students competent in Reading at Grade Level – 8th grade
• Drop Out Rate

And the following measure for which we don’t currently have data

• Number/Rate of G.E.D. by age 21K-8
• Average Daily Attendance(Collection of this data is part of the work in this business case.)

These changes all highlight the need to revise and update the youth development efforts in Polk County using a Business Case format. The underlying purpose and recognized community risk factors of “The Comprehensive Strategy for Polk County Youth” remain the same. The purpose identifed is: coordinate, develop, and enhance youth-centered efforts throughout Polk County, Iowa. The plan was created acknowledging the premise that the innate strengths present in all communities are often depressed and unrealized due to negative factors (risk factors). In our community the risk factors identified in the plan still exist: family management problems, availability of drugs, extreme economic deprivation, academic failure in school, and community disconnectedness.

The Business Case essentially is about improving results for Polk County’s young people and ensuring they succeed in school and life, and graduate from high school ready for success. This result is defined by young people attending and succeeding in school as well as connections to community – school success.