FAQ

The 12-to-24 Collaborative is a community initiative in Frederick County designed to support young and emerging adults aged 12 to 24. It brings together various community partners to create a coordinated network of services and resources.

The mission is to provide young and emerging adults with the resources they need to reach their full potential by fostering nonprofit collaboration, amplifying youth voices, and creating a central hub for services.

The vision is to build a community where every young and emerging adult in Frederick County has the resources and opportunities needed to thrive and shape their future.

The Collaborative was formed to address the need for a coordinated support system for young and emerging adults in Frederick County. This approach ensures that no matter where a young person seeks assistance, they are seamlessly connected to the right services and providers. It creates a network where support systems work together, offering a consistent pathway through various types of care—whether it’s housing, education, or health services—helping youth navigate their unique needs without hitting barriers. This aligns with the “no wrong door” principle, ensuring every entry point leads to comprehensive support. For more historical information on our development, check out our Documents & Reports, here.

The 12-to-24 Collaborative is an unincorporated association governed by a Steering Committee. The Steering Committee is responsible for strategic direction, decision-making, and oversight.

The Collaborative will work with a fiscal sponsor, an established nonprofit organization that provides essential legal, compliance and employer support. The 12-to-24 Collaborative staff will handle day-to-day operations, provides backbone support for the network and the Frederick Youth Council, acts as a liaison between the members and the Steering Committee, and manages all fundraising activities. This partnership will allow the 12-to-24 Collaborative to focus on its mission and programmatic goals. For more information, please check out our CHARTER, here.

The 12-to-24 Collaborative is funded through a combination of grants, donations, and in-kind contributions from its fiscal sponsor. The Fundraising Committee is responsible for identifying funding sources and developing a comprehensive fundraising plan to ensure the sustainability of the 12-to-24 Collaborative’s initiatives.

The members of the 12-to-24 Collaborative will meet annually to establish short-term initiatives and goals for the group. Previously, the 12-to-24 Collaborative established several workgroups to focus on key initiatives such as data sharing, service mapping, and joint fundraising efforts. These workgroups ensure that the 12-to-24 Collaborative’s activities are aligned with its mission and goals and that various stakeholders are engaged in the process.

The Frederick Youth Council plays a critical role in ensuring youth voices are heard. The Frederick Youth Council provides insights and feedback on programs and policies, participates in decision-making processes, and has representation on the Steering Committee with voting rights.

Based on the Charter, the following groups can join the 12-to-24 Collaborative:

• Community Partners: Organizations that are involved in providing services to young and emerging adults in Frederick County. These can include nonprofits, government agencies, educational institutions, and businesses.
• Nonprofit Members: Nonprofit organizations that work with or support youth aged 12 to 24.
• Frederick Youth Council: Young individuals aged 12 to 24 who represent the youth perspective within the Collaborative.
• Ex Officio / Non-voting members: including representatives from key stakeholder organizations such as but not limited to government, law enforcement, educational institutions , higher education, workforce and healthcare providers, businesses, and community groups are appointed annually based on evolving needs in accordance with the operating guidelines. 

Active member organizations will share demographic data, service utilization, and outcome metrics to improve service delivery. This shared data helps track collective progress, demonstrating real improvements in youth outcomes. It also identifies effective strategies, strengthens transparency, and can attract external support or grants by showing measurable impact. Together, this data sharing ensures that the Collaborative is making a meaningful difference in the lives of youth.

Being a member of the 12-to-24 Collaborative offers numerous benefits, including:

• Access to a Network of Support: Connect with a wide range of community partners, including nonprofits, government agencies, educational institutions, and businesses, all working together to support young and emerging adults.
• Collaboration Opportunities: Engage in joint initiatives, data sharing, and service mapping efforts to enhance the effectiveness and reach of your programs.
• Coordinated Entry Care Continuum, which ensures seamless navigation and collaboration among providers to meet youth needs without barriers.
• Resource Sharing: Benefit from shared resources, expertise, and best practices among member organizations, leading to more efficient and effective service delivery.
• Increased Funding Opportunities: Participate in joint fundraising efforts and gain access to a broader pool of funding sources, helping to secure financial support for your initiatives.
• Influence and Advocacy: Have a voice in shaping the programs and policies that impact young and emerging adults in Frederick County through participation in the 12-to-24 Collaborative.
• Youth Empowerment: Contribute to the empowerment of young people by supporting the Frederick Youth Council and ensuring their voices are heard in the decision-making processes.
• Visibility and Recognition: Increase the visibility of your organization and its contributions to the community through involvement in the 12-to-24 Collaborative’s activities and initiatives.

• Capacity Building: Strengthening the ability of organizations to deliver services by offering support, training, and tools that improve both the effectiveness and sustainability of programs. This ties into professional development and resource sharing but emphasizes long-term growth and resilience for providers within the Collaborative.

• Strategic Alignment: Align your organization’s efforts with the broader goals of the 12-to-24 Collaborative, ensuring a cohesive and unified approach to addressing the needs of young and emerging adults in the community.

By joining the 12-to-24 Collaborative, organizations can enhance their impact, expand their reach, and contribute to a coordinated effort to support the youth of Frederick County.

Yes, full meetings of the 12-to-24 Collaborative are open to the public. This allows community members to observe the proceedings and stay informed about the 12-to-24 Collaborative’s activities and decisions. If you are interested in attending, please check the 12-to-24 Collaborative’s website for meeting schedules and any specific attendance guidelines.

The Frederick Youth Council is a group of young individuals representing the voices of youth within the 12-to-24 Collaborative. They provides insights and feedback on programs and policies to ensure they meet the needs of the community’s youth. Council members also gain leadership experience, develop professional skills, and actively shape decisions that impact the future of Frederick County’s youth services.

The Youth Council plays a key role in amplifying the voices of young people and engaging them in the network of support. They have significant roles in shaping programs and policies within the Collaborative.

The Future Downtown Youth Center, located at 300 Scotty’s Bus Lane, will be owned and operated by the City of Frederick. It is designed as a central hub for comprehensive youth services, providing a coordinated support system for young and emerging adults aged 14 to 24 by integrating services from multiple community partners under one roof.

The Future Downtown Youth Center will work with existing organizations to enhance the range of available resources and opportunities. These organizations will be able to utilize the Future Downtown Youth Center as a satellite location, offering services within the center. This collaboration ensures youth have access to a wide array of support and programs in one convenient location.

While the Frederick Downtown Youth Center itself will not directly offer services, it will house various community partners who provide career assistance, mental health support, physical health services, educational resources, and recreational activities.

Additionally, cross-cutting programs could be implemented through workgroups, fostering collaboration among providers to address the broader needs of youth in areas like mentorship, leadership development, and holistic wellness.