Who are you calling a YOUTH WORKER?!

1. Who are you calling aYOUTH WORKER?! Our shared role in the positive development of young people John Brandon, MCCOY Inc.

2. Youth Work is for Everyone! Young people move in multiple circles, each of which has an opportunity to impact a young person significantly • A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark—Chinese Proverb

3. DEFINITION • A youth worker is an individual who works with and on behalf of children and youth to facilitate their personal, social, and educational development…..

4. Definition continues… • …and enable them to gain a voice, influence, and place in society as they make the transition from dependence to independence. (from the next generation Youth Work Coalition)

5. Conceptual Definition A process by which all young people seek ways to meet their basic physical and social needs and to build competencies (knowledge and skills) necessary to succeed in adolescence and adulthood. Practical Definition An approach to working with young people that defines goals (outcomes) based on capacities, strengths, and developmental needs of youth YOUTH DEVELOPMENT is..

6. Young people are deemed COMPETENT and HEALTHY when they: 1) develop a positive sense of self and a sense of connection and commitment to others; and

7. develop abilities and motivation to succeed in school and participate fully in family and community life. • To successfully achieve these developmental outcomes, ALL young people require: • SUPPORTS • OPPORTUNITIES • SERVICES

8. A VISION Every young person in our community, from the time they are born until they reach young adulthood, will have access to quality opportunities in every setting in which they interact, to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive, learn, engage, work and lead.

9. Organizing YD Work • Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets • Communities That Care • Ready by 21 Quality Counts

10. Because Rhetoric and Reality Don’t Match The American Dream All youth ready, every family and community supportive, each leader effective. The American Reality Only 4 in 10 youth ready, only 1 in 3 youth supported, too few leaders effective. The American Dilemma Fragmentation, complacency, and low expectations of youth, communities and leaders The Ready by 21™ Challenge Change the odds for youth by changing the way we do business

11. There is Increasing Agreement on Skills Needed for the 21st Century Ready for College Academic Outcomes 21st Century Skills & Content Information & Media Literacy Communication Critical & Systems Thinking Problem Solving Creativity, Intellectual Curiosity Interpersonal Skills Self-Direction Accountability and Adaptability Social Responsibility Financial Literacy Global Awareness Civic Literacy Specific Vocational Knowledge & Skills Subject Matter Knowledge Ready for Work Youth Employment Outcomes Community partners are calling for and contributing to the development of broader skills and knowledge. Cultural, Physical & Behavioral Health Knowledge & Skills Ready for Life Youth Development Outcomes

12. These Supports Make a Difference

13. Reach Counts Families Peer Groups Schools and Training Organizations Higher Education Youth-serving Organizations CBOs (Non-profit service providers) Workforce Development Organizations Businesses (jobs, internships, apprenticeships) Faith-based Organizations Libraries Parks & Recreation Departments Community-based Health Services Social Service Agencies Law Enforcement/Juvenile Justice Many individuals, organizations and systems operate in parallel to fill the white space. • The Result: • We add on without ever adding up so we never know the real reach of our combined efforts. • Some Solutions: • Put someone in charge • Map the program landscape • Define what the landscape should look like • Align resources & policies • Hold decision-makers accountable for overall results

14. Assertion #1: Quality Counts Assertion 1. Quality Counts QUALITY IS KEY It Matters Research shows that improved youth outcomes requires program attendance and program quality. The core elements of program quality are both measurable and consistent across a broad range of program types. It is Measureable It is Malleable Most programs can improve quality by undertaking integrated assessment and improvement efforts. It is Marketable Decision-makers and providers will invest in improving quality if they believe that it matters, is measurable and is malleable given available resources. Ready by 21™ Quality Counts Initiative

15. Variety of tools to assess quality • Youth Program Quality Assessment-YPQA—Center for Youth Program Quality • Assessing Afterschool Program Practices Tool—NIOST/Mass. Dept. of Education • Program Observation Tool—National Afterschool Association

16. The Ready by 21™ Challenge

17. At its heart, • Youth development is RELATIONAL • Youth work is YOUTH CENTERED • Youth work is greater than the sum of all the parts • Youth work is community based work • Youth work is DEVELOPMENTAL rather than PREVENTIVE.

18. Getting to Work • Invite yourself to dinner • Invite others to your table when forming workgroups around health issues • Engage young people and give them significant and meaningful roles • Advocate—loudly • Don’t sit back—step up • Don’t forget the family!!!

19. Helpful websites • www.nydic.org National Youth Development Information Center • www.search-institute.org Search Institute • www.forumfyi.org Forum for Youth Investment • www.americaspromise.org America’s Promise Alliance • www.naa.org National Afterschool Alliance

20. Helpful Websites • www.nn4youth.org National Network for Youth • www.findyouthinfo.gov Federal programs pertaining to youth • www.chapinhall.org Chapin Hall Center for Adolescence U. of Chicago • www.mccoyouth.org Marion County Commission on Youth--Indianapolis

21. Contact information John Brandon John.Brandon@mccoyouth.org 317-921-1288