Community Needs Assessment

The newly formed Richmond Department of Children and Youth (Department) and the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth (Fund) were established on June 5, 2018, after the passage of Measures E and K, known as the Richmond Kids First Initiative. The Fund was created in order to provide a sustainable funding stream for youth-serving organizations in Richmond and North Richmond. This will be done by providing grant funding to various organizations beginning in July 2021.

Community Needs Assessment and Strategic Investment Plan Elements

  1. A Community Needs Assessment evaluates current services provided to Richmond youth 24 years and younger, and
  2. a three-year Strategic Investment Plan guides the grant-making processes of the Fund. This work will be centered on a robust and authentic community engagement process.
  1. Draft Vision and Guiding Principles
  2. Timeline
  3. Documents

The Department of Children and Youth is committed to incorporating community voice and has drafted a vision and set of guiding principles for the Community Needs Assessment. Although much of this has been thoughtfully generated with what we are learning from local service providers, we understand this process requires input and guidance from as many people as possible.

We are actively seeking your input before the following information is finalized. If you have any input at this time, please share your feedback by email at youth@ci.richmond.ca.us or by phone at (510) 620-6523.

Draft Vision Statement

The City of Richmond’s Department of Children and Youth will implement a needs assessment and strategic planning process that honors community voice, including a diverse range of youth and adults alike to develop a comprehensive, equitable investment plan that reflects community vision.

Draft Guiding Principles

  • Community assets are our core strengths
  • Richmond residents are experts in their lived experience and have valuable insight to share
  • We value collaboration and shared ownership
  • We believe considerations of race and equity are critical to this process
  • We will be inclusive of all ages, races, ethnicities, gender expressions, languages, and abilities/disabilities
  • We will communicate in a way that is accessible and easy to understand
  • We believe all voices should contribute and encourage participants to bring their full, authentic selves to this process
  • We believe it is important to be (1) innovative and flexible and (2) transparent and accountable 


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