Dual-Status Youth Community of Practice
A peer-led space to learn across counties and systems— so dual-system youth get better support.
Why a DSY CoP?
When communities come together to create shared networks of care and support, we see better outcomes for dual-status youth. This CoP offers a statewide opportunity for inter-system learning and peer-led problem-solving across county and agency lines—surfacing what’s working, what’s missing, where data and experience show progress, and how to adapt promising models to varied local community practices.
Not a training. Not a task force. A learning community.
A Community of Practice is an active, participatory learning community where people working within—or affected by—the same domain come together to improve their practice.
What is a CoP?
Member-Guided
Not led by a single person or the state; centered on members’ experiences, questions, and challenges.
Core Belief
The knowledge we need to improve systems already exists within the community—this CoP surfaces, tests, and grows that knowledge.
This CoP is part of CDSS’s From the Ground, Up initiative. It’s not about system improvement or CQI reporting. It is about learning and connection.
Not Top-Down
This is not a policy forum or a passive listening session.
Collaborative Problem-Solving
A space for inquiry, sharing cases, and co-creating better approaches.
Who is this for?
People invested in the well-being of dual-status youth, including:
County child welfare + probation
Court partners (judicial officers, attorneys, CASA)
Education + behavioral health (school liaisons, clinicians)
Lived experts, youth, and families
Community-based organizations serving DSY
Compensation for lived experience:
For people with lived experience who are not otherwise compensated by CDSS, we offer an honorarium of $75/hour to support participation.
What you’ll do here
Swap what works (and what doesn’t) across counties and roles
Adapt promising models to local realities
Build relationships that make coordination easier
Leave with practical next steps you can try immediately
When does it convene?
Kick-Off (Virtual): January 13, 2026 (60 minutes)
Cadence: Bi-monthly thereafter
Session 1 — January 13, 2026
Session 2 — March 10, 2026
Session 3 — May 12, 2026
Session 4 — July 14, 2026