The youth development framework is an approach to working with young people that encompasses four things: it is designed to meet the development needs of young people, it builds on their assets and potential, it considers young people as resources, and it builds partnerships with young people to create positive and sustainable opportunities. exchange.
The youth development framework is derived from common theories and approaches that strive to build a core set of individual and organizational level skills, characteristics and competencies needed to provide support and opportunities for all young people. By nature, this framework is multifaceted. No single person, institution or organization acting alone can ensure that all young people acquire the assets, skills and support they need to succeed. For this to happen, we must all work towards common goals and adhere to common principles of youth development.
There are 8 key principles of youth development. These are: an organizational structure that supports youth development, a safe physical environment that supports the needs of youth and staff, a holistic approach to all youth, youth contribution and collaboration, supportive relationships, high expectations and clear boundaries, activities that are engaging and that encourage learning, mechanisms in place to help youth advance as young adults.
1. An organizational structure that supports youth development
An organizational structure that supports youth development encompasses five elements. First, the organization’s mission and vision statements promote youth development, and a significant portion of the organization’s budget is allocated to direct youth services. Second, staff and board members have a clear understanding of the organization’s mission and vision statement and direct their planning, advocacy efforts, and services around this mission and vision. Third, the organization invests in staff development and training and staff contribution is encouraged and implemented. Fourth, all levels of staff are kept abreast of the organization’s goals, plans, and changes. And fifth, the organization advocates for policy, funding, and direct service issues in relation to its members.
2. A safe physical environment that supports the needs of youth and staff
A safe physical environment that supports the needs of youth and staff encompasses five elements. First, the actual building is physically safe, clean, with good lighting and work facilities. Second, there is a security and emergency plan with all personnel trained in emergency procedures. Third, the rules are posted and posted in a conspicuous place. Fourth, staff members are equipped with the supplies, equipment, and space they need to perform their duties effectively. Fifth, youth have their own youth-friendly space where they can hang out while waiting for a worker.
3. A holistic approach for all young people
Taking a holistic approach to all young people means that, at a minimum, your organization is doing these four things. Promote cultural diversity with respect to ethnicity, social origin, gender issues, sexual orientation and youth culture. Second, staff at all levels reflect the population served. Third, the entire organization is oriented toward the agency’s mission, vision, goals, and services through staff meetings, announcements, and newsletters. Fourth, a referral system is in place through a directory of services and staff contacts to ensure that all young people get the right referrals when needed.
4. Contribution and collaboration of young people
A critical component of the youth development framework is providing young people with opportunities to contribute and collaborate. This means: allowing youth to contribute their ideas for programs, services, and special events and projects. Establish youth advisory councils and committees. Create volunteer and paid opportunities for youth. Develop community service projects in which young people plan and execute the tasks. Involve young people in advocacy efforts. Encourage youth to participate in civic events, forums, and town hall meetings. Sponsor voter registration drives in partnership with youth. Youth should also play a role in planning activities, decorating the space, and orienting new youth to the program. Provide youth with membership cards, buttons, or t-shirts to create a sense of ownership and identification with the program.
5. Supportive relationships
All young people need adults in their lives who care about them and support them in their dreams, goals, and aspirations. It is essential that the organization and its staff provide a supportive climate where each young person has someone she can talk to, track her progress, help her set goals, and connect her to resources when needed. Second, there must be strategies for parent involvement and for parents to talk with staff about their concerns and challenges. Third, interactions with youth must be respectful, positive, and appropriate. Fourth, there must be some degree of consistency in personnel. Finally, confidentiality procedures must be clear and communicated to all young people.
6. High expectations and clear limits
Youth service providers must have high expectations for youth and must model these expectations through their behavior at work. Focus on the strengths. Clear limits must be established with consequences other than deportation. All youth should receive a copy of the organization’s written code of conduct, and staff should thoroughly review the rules. Create ownership of the rules by creating a juvenile court to help deal with problem behavior.
7. Activities that are engaging and encourage learning
The organization must provide programs, services, and activities that promote cognitive, social, and emotional development. Develop critical thinking, decision-making, team-building, and problem-solving skills in group and individual activities. Provide life skills training on topics such as: money management, job readiness, time management, and other important life skills. Make sure the activities are developmentally and age appropriate for your target group. Make learning interesting by fostering curiosity and creativity.
8. Mechanisms in place to help youth advance as young adults
Create space in your programs for youth to transition into adulthood. Programs for different age groups should be provided. When youth outgrow one program, they should easily move on to the next. Give youth more rights and responsibilities as they move from one program to the next. Create volunteer and internship opportunities for older youth. Train older youth and hire them as paid staff. Create closure through formal rituals such as: graduations, award ceremonies, or a one-on-one wrap-up session that creates closure for youth and helps them plan their next steps. For some interesting, out-of-the-box ideas on rituals and ceremonies, you can check out my book, “Her Rite of Passage: How To Design And Deliver A Rites of Passage Program for African-American Girls and Young Women.”
After you have spent some time familiarizing yourself with the 8 key principles of youth development, take a closer look at your organization and see how it measures up in terms of supporting a youth development approach. Then share this information with your supervisor, your colleagues, and the people you supervise if you are a supervisor. And if your organization isn’t already doing so, perhaps together you can make it an agency-wide or at least program-wide effort to incorporate the 8 key principles of youth development into your organization’s different service areas.
Copyright © 2006 by Cassandra Mack
This article was excerpted from Cassandra Mack’s book, “Smart Moves Successful Young Workers Make.”
