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Building Strengths and Reducing Risk for Youth Through Community Partnerships. By Professor Karen Bogenschneider University of Wisconsin–Madison/Extension. Map of Youth Futures Sites. Wisconsin Youth Futures The Purpose.
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Building Strengths and Reducing Risk for YouthThrough Community Partnerships By Professor Karen Bogenschneider University of Wisconsin–Madison/Extension
Wisconsin Youth FuturesThe Purpose Youth Futures brings together coalitions of parents, educators, community leaders, and youth to develop comprehensive plans to prevent youth problems
The Development of Wisconsin Youth Futures:Three Fundamental Questions • What are the real problems or concerns facing local youth?
Cast Your Vote! 1) What percent of 7th to 12th graders in Sun Prairie reported drinking 5 or more drinks in a row in the last month? (A) 7% (B) 20% (C) 29% (D) 51% 2) What percent of Sun Prairie 7th to 12th graders reported that they had used marijuana more than a couple times per year? (A) 7% (B) 20% (C) 29% (D) 51%
The Development of Wisconsin Youth Futures:Three Fundamental Questions • What are the real problems or concerns facing local youth? • Do we know enough to prevent youth problems?
The Ecological Risk/Protective Theory Note. Reprinted with permission from Duane Dale, Public Issues Education Cooperative Extension Satellite Video Conference, 1994. Health development Dangerous behaviors
The Development of Wisconsin Youth Futures:Three Fundamental Questions • What are the real problems or concerns facing local youth? • Do we know enough to prevent youth problems? • How can we apply what we know to solve youth problems?
Youth FuturesCoalition Members Principals of the Middle School and the High School The Circuit Court Judge A Physician Staff from a Nearby Community College Law Enforcement Officials President of the Parent/Teacher's Organization Religious Leaders Business Leaders Representatives of Community Service Clubs Parents Young People
The Youth FuturesProcess • Prioritize problems facing local youth • Learn about: • *The latest research on adolescent development • *Risk factors and protective factors • *Effective prevention programs • Assess existing community resources for youth • Identify resources and supports most needed in the community • Develop action plan • County Extension faculty work with local communities to implement the plan
Preliminary Impacts of Wisconsin Youth FuturesIn Reducing Risks and Bolstering Protective Factors Risk Factor Unclear Family Rules, Expectations, and Rewards
Preliminary Impacts of Wisconsin Youth FuturesIn Reducing Risks and Bolstering Protective Factors Risk Factor Unclear Family Rules, Expectations, and Rewards Risk Factor Availability of Alcohol
Preliminary Impacts of Wisconsin Youth FuturesIn Reducing Risks and Bolstering Protective Factors Risk Factor Unclear Family Rules, Expectations, and Rewards Risk Factor Availability of Alcohol Protective Bonding to Family, School, and other Factors Social Institutions
Wisconsin Youth Futures Impacts *Effectiveness - Reduced known risks and bolstered proven safeguards *Generativity - In first 5 years, generated over $1,003,000 of cash or inkind services at the local level *Empowerment - Between 1990 and 1996, volunteers in the first 20 sites donated over 77,000 hours of time or approximately 9,625 eight-hour work days *Institutionalization - County and state Extension faculty redirected almost 75,000 hours or about 9,375 eight-hour work days
Wisconsin Youth Futures Impacts *Sustainability - 9 of the first 15 sites incorporated *Adaptability - Model used in small and medium-sized White communities and also in African American, Hmong, and Latinoinner-city neighborhoods in Milwaukee. *Leadership - Received a state award for “outstanding community service and prevention leadership” from Wisconsin Positive Youth Development and the Wisconsin Prevention Network.
Testimonial from aLocal Circuit Court Judge “I would highly recommend that individuals in their communities get involved in Youth Futures-type organizations. I am not saying that it is going to result in any miracles, but when people band together over such issues as underage drinking, abuse of drugs [and] truancy, that they can make a difference.”
Youth FuturesGuiding Principles • Identify the Real Issues or Problems Facing Local Families
Cast Your Vote! Are Parents Aware of Teen Drinking? What percent of parents (whose teens reported that they were drinking on a regular basis) thought their teens were using alcohol? (A) 30% (B) 56% (C) 75%
Cast Your Vote! What Feedback Can Parents Give on Local Policies and Programs? What percent of parents agreed or strongly agreed that the penalties for selling alcohol to minors should be more strictly enforced? (A) 35% (B) 68% (C) 93% What percent of parents agreed or strongly agreed that birth control should be taught in school? (A) 35% (B) 65% (C) 86%
Youth FuturesGuiding Principles • Identify the Real Issues or Problems Facing Local Families • Establish Well-Defined Goals
Youth FuturesGuiding Principles • Identify the Real Issues or Problems Facing Local Families • Establish Well-Defined Goals • Be Comprehensive in Addressing Both Risk and Protective Processes in Several Levels of the Human Ecology
Youth FuturesGuiding Principles • Identify the Real Issues or Problems Facing Local Families • Establish Well-Defined Goals • Be Comprehensive in Addressing Both Risk and Protective Processes in Several Levels of the Human Ecology • Tailor the Plan to the Community, Reducing Risks That Exist Locally and Building Protective Processes That Do Not Exist
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead
For further informationhttp://familyimpactseminars.org/local.htm • 14 reports for community coalitions on topics such as • An Ecological Risk-Focused Approach for Addressing Youth-at-Risk Issues • Identifying and Recruiting Individuals Who Will Enhance Group Effectiveness • Keeping Kids Involved in Youth Futures • Risk-Factors for Adolescent Alcohol and Drug Use/Prevention • Volunteer Retention and Recognition • 5 community self assessment checklists for • Adolescent Alcohol Use • Adolescent Depression • Adolescent Suicide • Risky Youth Behaviors • Academic Failure