The Youth Master Plan began with a vision to create and sustain a positive, youth-development focused, results-oriented New Orleans that works for our young people.

This plan includes three phases, each building upon the collective wisdom of youth, community members, and sector leaders to bring forth actionable solutions and drive coordinated efforts for youth success.

How We Got Here

What Is In The Youth Master Plan?

  • 30 Solutions Across 6 Areas: Addressing key developmental stages from birth to age 24.

  • 15 Priority Solutions: Identified for immediate action within the first two years.

  • Collective Accountability: Action steps, timelines, and ownership to drive progress.

Our Process

Youth Master Planning Timeline

Oct - Nov 2020

Youth Master Plan solution development via working groups

Spring 2019

NOLA CYPB, OYF, and NOYA commit to partnered approach to Youth Master Plan

August 2020

New Orleans Youth co-create the Youth Vision

Summer 2019

Beginning of Phase 1: development of key data tools

Feb 2021

City council resolution supporting the Youth Master Plan

Dec 2020

Completion of Phase 1: release of 10 Year Youth Master Plan

May 2021

Identification of YMP solutions best suited for immediate implementation

March 2021

Beginning of Phase 2: launch of Action Tables to develop action steps

July 2021

Mayor signs executive order supporting the Youth Master Plan

July 2021

Completion of Phase 2: release of 2-year implementation plans

July 2021 - present

Phase 3: implementation, monitoring, and evaluation

(Summer 2019 - December 2020)

Phase 1: Solutions

In Phase 1, we brought together:

The People

Youth, parents, community members, and sector leaders

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The Youth Vision

A new narrative for New Orleans

80 participants from 18 sectors formed working groups focused on five developmental stages, from birth to 24. Through four weekly sessions, these groups designed 30 solutions across 6 key focus areas to implement throughout the 10-year plan.

(Summer 2019 - December 2020)

Phase 2: Action Strategies & Metrics

In Phase 2, we translated our aspirational solutions into action strategies. Rather than rushing to implement as many solutions as possible, we prioritized building the capacity of our systems to work in a new way. 

The Youth Master Plan Steering Committee — including sector leaders, youth, and the YMP partners — prioritized 15 solutions that would have the maximum impact within the first two years of our plan.

Through a four-month public process, 6 Action Tables were formed to:

Balance Sector Experts with Youth Wisdom

Refine and Sequence Solutions for Maximum Impact

Design Action Strategies to Overcome Identified Barriers

Identify Solution Owners to Ensure Successful Implementation

Establish Funding & Data Partners and Approaches for Phase 3

This collaborative approach resulted in effective and accountable action strategies. Our plans included clear steps, timelines, and targeted goals designed to overcome identified barriers.

In July 2021, Phase 2 culminated in a 2-year detailed action plan. This marked the beginning of a focused effort by CYPB and partner organizations in New Orleans to bring our aspirational solutions to life through coordinated and cross-sector approaches.

(July 2021 to present)

Phase 3: Implementation, Monitoring & Evaluation

Phase 3 is where we transition from planning to doing. We’re now focused on implementing, monitoring, and evaluating the 15 prioritized solutions identified in Phase 2.

For each solution, working groups developed:

Detailed Work Plans with Clear Action Steps, Owners, & Timelines

Population-Level Indicators

Targeted Goals

Cost Estimates

Our Wins

  • Affordable, Youth-Friendly Transit: The Opportunity Pass pilot program provides free transit passes for Orleans Parish residents ages 16-24 to remove financial barriers and promote lifelong public transit use.

  • Youth Data Hub: Seed funding was secured to create a public resource to gather and share relevant data to guide efforts supporting youth development.

  • New Parent Support: The Family Connects program provides free home-nurse visits to connect new parents and children to essential well-being resources.

  • Supportive School Cultures: NOLA Public Schools are piloting a holistic approach to student support through the COST model.

  • Youth Decision Making:  NOYA’s Rebuilding Our Village Youth Fund grants awards to youth-led projects aimed at economic stability and well-being for young Black New Orleanians, with youth as co-creators of the granting process.