BUILDING A YOUTH BUILDING A YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM

IN YOUR COMMUNITYIN YOUR COMMUNITY

John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development

Rutgers, the State University of NewJersey

National Youth Employment Coalition

Sar Levitan Center for Social Policy Studies

Johns Hopkins University

May 2000

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Building a Youth Development Building a Youth Development System: An OverviewSystem: An Overview

Youth Development Concepts & Principles

A Youth Development System

Definition

Menu of Services

Essential Characteristics

System-Building Processes & Strategies

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Youth Development is... Youth Development is...

the process of moving from adolescence to adulthood. Positive youth development builds a young person’s cognitive, social, moral, emotional, physical and vocational competencies.

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Youth Development has... Youth Development has... a dual focus on building competencies for adulthood and meeting basic developmental needs for:

•Safety and structure•Belonging and membership•Self-worth and an ability to contribute•Independence and control•Several nurturing relationships•Competence and mastery

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Principles of Youth DevelopmentPrinciples of Youth Development

• Communicate high expectations.

• Build a sense of group membership.

• Develop leadership ability.

• Foster a sense of personal identity.

• Broaden perspective; develop skills.

• Provide structure and safe surroundings.

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Principles of Youth DevelopmentPrinciples of Youth Development(cont’d)(cont’d)

• Focus on the centrality of work.

• Cultivate positive peer support.

• Connect youth with caring adults; maintain

the continuity of contact.

• Offer sustained supports over an extended

period of time.

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A Youth Development SystemA Youth Development System

• Definition

• Menu of Services

• Essential Characteristics

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A Youth Development System is...A Youth Development System is...

a series of partnerships or connections among organizations to plan and deliver a menu of services based on youth development principles.

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Youth Development SystemYouth Development SystemMenu of ServicesMenu of Services

• Learning options

• Work experience

• Skills development

• Leadership opportunities

• Counseling and support

• Connections to

– Good jobs

– Post-secondary education

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Youth Development SystemYouth Development SystemEssential CharacteristicsEssential Characteristics

Unified vision and strategic plan Active participation of youth in shaping the system Individual service strategy for each young person Coordinated access to all services A follow-up capacity Information sharing Effective case management system Accountability system with a continuous

improvement mechanism

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The Challenge The Challenge

How can community partners work together

to build a youth development system?

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First StepsFirst Steps

1. Recruit and convene the key stakeholders in the community Build on previous, existing or

evolving collaborative efforts, OR Form a new group

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First StepsFirst Steps

2. Garner political support. Work closely with: Local elected officials Municipal, county and state

government organizations and

agencies

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First StepsFirst Steps

3. Create a shared visionWho are the youth to be served?What is the purpose of the youth service system?What does the system hope to accomplish?

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First StepsFirst Steps

4. Collect and use data and information for decision-makingWhat are the characteristics of the youth in the community?What do they want? What are their experiences?

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First StepsFirst Steps5. Map and assess community services and resources:

Services:

•What services are currently provided?

•Who provides them?

•Where are they located?

•How effective are the services?

•What are the gaps in service?

•What is the capacity of the service providers?

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First StepsFirst Steps5. Map and assess community services and resources (con’t) :

Resources:

•What are the total employment and training resources?

•What are the total resources?

•Who controls them?

•How flexible are the resources?

•Are there additional resource opportunities?

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First StepsFirst Steps

6. Develop a strategic plan

Identify the goals that will be metDevelop strategies to achieve goalsCreate a timetable or action planArticulate roles and responsibilitiesEstablish accountability procedures

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System-Building Techniques and TipsSystem-Building Techniques and Tips

Use the Youth Council as a community collaborative for leadership, planning, leveraging resources, implementation and oversight. Keep all partners actively engaged. Identify customized strategies for working with employers, the school system, and post-secondary institutions.

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System-Building Techniques and TipsSystem-Building Techniques and Tips

Overcome “turf” issues and institutional barriers. Clearly define partner roles. Use existing resources creatively. Provide consistent leadership. Create a system of neighborhood hubs to reach out to and engage youth.

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System-Building Techniques and TipsSystem-Building Techniques and Tips

Identify or develop an intermediary to work with employers. Design and implement a capacity building strategy for technical assistance and provider development. Build systems and relationships incrementally. Think BIG…but start small…but START.

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One Last ThoughtOne Last Thought…………..…………..

Always remember that the challenges you are facing are not more difficult than the lives of the many young people on whose behalf you are working. Karen Sitnick Baltimore Office of Employment