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Core Competencies for Youth Development Professionals. An Overview of Their Development, Content, and Application. The Core Competencies were developed to:. Define what professionals need to know and do to provide quality services for youth and families.
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Core Competencies for Youth Development Professionals An Overview of Their Development, Content, and Application
The Core Competencies were developed to: • Define what professionals need to know and do to provide quality services for youth and families. • Serve as the foundation for decisions and practices carried out by professionals in all settings. • Establish a set of standards that support the professionalization of the field.
A Collaborative Effort • OPEN Initiative • Missouri Afterschool Network (MASN) • Kansas Enrichment Network (KEN)
A Collaborative Effort • Professionals in Kansas and Missouri • Youth workers • Higher education faculty, administrators, and staff • Federal and state agency personnel • School-age organizations • Community-based trainers
Parallel to the Core Competencies for Early Care and Education Professionals
Eight Content Areas I – Child/Adolescent Growth and Development II - Learning Environment and Curriculum III - Child/Adolescent Observation and Assessment IV - Families and Communities V - Health, Safety, and Nutrition VI - Interactions with Children/Youth VII - Program Planning and Development VIII - Professional Development and Leadership
I – Child/Adolescent Growth and Development • Child/Adolescent Growth and Development Level 1 – Is aware of the basic stages of youth development. Level 2 – Describes specific physical, cognitive, social, and emotional stages of youth development. Level 3 – Explains physical, cognitive, social, and emotional differences among youth. Level 4 – Integrates information on growth, development, and learning styles of individuals and applies it to youth in group settings Level 5 – Articulates, analyzes, evaluates, and/or applies current theories and research related to child/adolescent growth and development. Understand how youth learn and develop in each of the domains: physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and creative.
II – Learning Environment and Curriculum Establish an environment that provides learning experiences that meet each youth’s needs, capabilities, and interests. • Creating the Learning Environment and General Curriculum • Promoting Physical Development • Promoting Cognitive Development • Promoting Communication Skills • Promoting Social Development • Promoting Creative Expression
III – Child/Adolescent Observation and Assessment • Child/Adolescent Observation and Assessment Observe and assess what youth know and can do in order to provide curriculum that meets their developmental and learning needs.
IV – Families and Communities • Relationships with Families • Use of Community Resources Work collaboratively with families and agencies/ organizations to meet the needs of youth and to encourage the community’s involvement with youth development.
V – Health, Safety, and Nutrition • Knowledge of Regulations • Environmental Safety • Responding to Health Needs of Youth • Nutrition Establish and maintain an environment that ensures the healthy development, safety, and nourishment of youth.
VI – Interactions with Children/Youth • Providing Individual Guidance • Enhancing Group Experiences Establish supportive relationships with youth and guide them both as individuals and as a part of a group.
VII – Program Planning and Development • Program Planning and Evaluation • Personnel Management • Financial Management Establish, implement, and evaluate youth development programs.
VIII – Professional Development and Leadership • Displaying Professionalism in Practice • Ongoing Professional Growth • Leadership and Advocacy Serve youth and families in a professional manner and participate in the community as a representative of the youth development field.
How can the Core Competencies be used … • by Program Staff? • by Directors/Administrators? • by Trainers/Agencies?
How can the Core Competencies be used? • All Staff • Self evaluation • Professional development goal setting • Monitor and record trainings by Core Competency area
How can the Core Competencies be used? • Directors/Administrators • Specify requirements for staff job descriptions • Establish salary scale based on educational achievement or demonstrated competence
How can the Core Competencies be used? • Trainers/Agencies • Organize training opportunities • Create a framework for a career development system
Questions? • For more information about the Core Competencies for Youth Development Professionals, visit: www.openinitiative.org www.moasn.org