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Youth: The Real Future of the South

Youth: The Real Future of the South. Results from the 2008 Tennessee Community Forums. Michael D. Wilcox, Jr. Assistant Professor Department of Agricultural Economics University of Tennessee - Knoxville mwilcox2@utk.edu. Beth Phillips Economic Development Specialist

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Youth: The Real Future of the South

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  1. Youth: The Real Future of the South Results from the 2008 Tennessee Community Forums Michael D. Wilcox, Jr. Assistant Professor Department of Agricultural Economics University of Tennessee - Knoxville mwilcox2@utk.edu Beth Phillips Economic Development Specialist Institute for Public Service University of Tennessee - Knoxville beth.phillips@tennessee.edu

  2. About the SGPB • Non-partisan public policy think tank based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina • Formed in 1971 by Southern Governors • Public-private partnership of 13 States and Puerto Rico • Research focus encompasses the major drivers for economic development (innovation, technology, workforce, community leadership)

  3. Purpose of SGPB Community Forums • Focus on Youth Development • Input gathered through Policy and Community Forums, Online Surveys • 13 states provided input into policy making • Input comes from Southern governors, legislators, business and academic leaders, economic and community development leaders, and private citizens • Results shared by SGPB at the annual conference in Little Rock, Arkansas in June 2008 and published in SGPB annual Report on the Future of the South • Tennessee results compiled by the University of Tennessee and being shared with statewide partners and participants

  4. Format for Forums • 2 hours • Moderated format • Consideration of 3 Approaches to Improving Youth Development • Identified conflicts/commonalities among the approaches • Post forum questionnaire

  5. Tennessee Forums • A policy dialogue in Nashville and 20 community forums distributed throughout TN in early 2008 (512 participants)

  6. Broad-based Representation

  7. The Five C’s of Youth Development

  8. Indications of Educational Participation

  9. Indications of Educational Performance

  10. Indicators of Health Status

  11. Indicators of Economic Status

  12. Social Indicators

  13. Forums Examined Three Possible Approaches

  14. Tennessee Priorities • Find new ways to reach and engage youth • Engage all sectors of youth, including those in the middle • Recognize youth leadership capacity and accomplishments • Effectively communicate with youth

  15. Tennessee Priorities • Develop stronger civic participation among youth • Provide more meaningful opportunities to engage youth in decision making • Show the relevance of the civic process

  16. Tennessee Priorities • Address issues that prevent youth from engaging and reaching their potential • Understand the issues behind the state’s high school drop out rate • Address socioeconomic issues that hinder youth development • Address infrastructure, geographic, and other barriers • Provide safe and fun places for youth to connect

  17. Tennessee Priorities • Better prepare youth for the global economy • Provide more ‘real life’ opportunities for learning • Encourage entrepreneurism among youth • Challenge youth to challenge themselves

  18. Post Forum Questionnaire -Three Possible Approaches

  19. Prioritization of Action Items

  20. SGPB Region Priorities • Create a culture that values youth and their opinions. • Provide youth with somewhere to go and something to do. • Broaden the reach of youth programs, with special attention to the “lost middle”—those not classified as high achievers or high risk. • Communicate better with youth about existing opportunities, taking advantage of new technologies. • Ensure that all youth have positive role models. • Engage the business community in youth development.

  21. Results of Tennessee Forums – Next Steps • Share results with forum participants, partners, and policy makers • Expand and continue the discussion • Identify opportunities for collaboration and implementation of projects and recommendations

  22. For More Information • UT Institute for Public Service http://www.ips.tennessee.edu/?news=1351 • UT Extension http://trend.ag.utk.edu/youth.html • TN Commission on Children and Youth http://www.state.tn.us/tccy/ • Casey Foundation “Kids Count” Database http://www.kidscount.org/datacenter/databook.jsp

  23. Thank you! Please feel free to contact us: Michael D. Wilcox, Jr. Assistant Professor Department of Agricultural Economics University of Tennessee - Knoxville mwilcox2@utk.edu Beth Phillips Economic Development Specialist Institute for Public Service University of Tennessee - Knoxville beth.phillips@tennessee.edu

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