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Youth Involvement Resources |
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July/August 2008Keeping in Touch (PDF) Mentoring Children of Prisoners Project Safe Neighborhoods Anti-Gang Training TeensHealth June 2008At The Table The Girls’ Justice Initiative Engaging Youth: A How-To Guide for Creating Opportunities for Young People to Participate, Lead and Succeed (PDF) May 2008The National Wraparound Initiative The National Wraparound Initiative (NWI) began in 2003 when the Portland State University Research and Training Center came together with parent advocates, wraparound trainers, and other committed organizations and individuals to address challenges related to defining and implementing wraparound. Since then NWI has developed meaningful products, resources, and workgroups dedicated to advancing the understanding and practice of wraparound. The Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development Based in Takoma Park, Maryland, The Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development develops resources, strategies, and partnerships in the areas of youth and civic activism, service learning, community development, organizational development, youth development, leadership development, and program evaluation. The Center’s Web site boasts a wealth of resources on youth development and youth voice, many of which can be accessed online free of charge. The following are selected resources which may be useful to many systems of care partners interested in youth involvement.
April 2008Students Against Destructive Decisions Get Your Youth Groups Started! Video: Youth Participation in Planning: Why it Matters No Longer Alone – Resources for Rural Sexual Minority Youth March 2008Promoting Positive Youth Development in Your Community Research-Based Youth Engagement Strategies (PDF) Youth Policy Action Center Engaging Young People in Social Change February 2008Creative Presentation Resources, Inc. Training Engagement Tools Global Youth Services Day is April 25-27 One of the tools available is an interactive tool called Project Plan that walks you though the steps to planning a service project from beginning to end. There is also a section on the Web page that includes several documents containing information such as basic facts about GYSD, Strategies to Support Ongoing Social and Economic Initiatives and a whole section with various tip sheets containing information on strategic planning, project and community mapping, and preparation for GYSD. GYSD is an opportunity to celebrate your youth and your community. Don’t miss out! National 4-H Extension Announces New Online Youth Development Journal (Free registration required) • Rural After-School Programs: Meeting the Needs of At-Risk Youth and Their Families December 2007/January 2008New Publications on Youth Involvement PSU is currently developing a third piece in the series, titled Involving youth in planning for their education, treatment and services: Research tells us we should be doing better. Created in a user-friendly format, this booklet uses findings from relevant research to answer a series of questions, including:
The booklet asserts that the research that is available indicates that involving youth meaningfully—and successfully—is quite possible. This research also indicates that doing so provides important benefits for the youth and his or her caregivers and providers. References are also provided so users can consult the original studies for further information. This booklet will be available online sometime in mid-to-late December or January. National Newspaper Focusing on Youth Issues
Visit the Youth Today Web site. Wanted: Youth Leaders! Clearinghouse for Sustaining and Expanding Youth Programs and Policies November 2007Choosing Your Therapist and Do You Feel Me?
Both tools were developed by the Youth Task Force, consisting of youth consumers involved in multiple systems, including mental health, juvenile justice, and foster care. The process for developing these products began with brainstorming, followed by listening to young people’s stories about mental health, talking with therapists, drafting, and designing and revising the forms. This process lasted for approximately one year and could not have been completed without the successful collaboration of youth, therapists, and leadership within the Office of Mental Health. Samples of these forms are available for download here (PDF). To learn more about these forms or the process for developing something similar in your system of care, contact Victor Damian, Youth Coordinator with Children’s System of Care, at Victor.Damian@sfdph.org or 415.920.7715. Fundamental Issues to Prevent and End Youth Homelessness National Conference Materials Around Ending Homelessness for Families and Children October 2007Involving Youth in the Wraparound Process Does youth voice really make a difference in the Wraparound planning process? Yes, it does. When wraparound is implemented as intended, youth feel that their voices are heard and that they are full partners throughout the entire care planning process. Involved youth have the ability to influence the services and supports provided to them, which can make a difference. Community Solutions, a system of care community funded in 2002, collects data to help them monitor the success of wraparound services. In a recent report, Community Solutions noted that youth rated the fidelity of the wraparound process lower than adults whenever they felt their voices weren't heard. It is important that youth are present and engaged during wraparound meetings so that true voice and choice can be a reality. Adhering to the principles of wraparound is associated with improved outcomes for youth, including better educational outcomes and improved functioning at home, school and in the community. Engaging young people in designing and driving their wrap process will aid them in developing skills that are crucial for positively transitioning out of youth services. In order to maximize on the benefits of the wraparound approach, youth must be authentically involved. Learn more about the history and philosophical elements of the Wraparound process (PDF). For more information on involving youth in the wraparound process, contact Reyhan Reid at RReid@air.org or Lorrin Gehring at LGehring@ffcmh.org. November 2006Interactive Mental Health Web Site for YouthReachout.com is an interactive website that provides valuable information for teenagers to help improve their mental health and wellbeing during the transition-age years. Developed for Australian youth, the materials are useful to any teenager. The site includes coping tips, forums, fact sheets, personal stories as well as resources regarding mental illness, school, employment, stress and relationships. The website was created after the developers conducted research with youth focus groups and determined what appeals to teenagers most when learning about mental health issues. Reachout plans to develop a similar website in America and will be conducting research here to determine what is best for American teenagers. Therefore, please feel free to send any feedback regarding the website to Dana Crudo, Child & Adolescent Center Program Associate, at danac@nami.org. Thanks! May 2006Youth Involvement in Special EducationFor a number of years, policy makers and education professionals have been interested in promoting the physical and mental well being of students within the school system—particularly students involved in special education. A child’s physical and mental health can affect his or her learning, so it is vital to promote a positive and healthy school environment. Recently, increased attention has been given to social and emotional learning (SEL) and its potential for creating and sustaining healthy school environments. Healthy school environments foster learning and decrease the amount of time spent on discipline—two benefits that can lead to an increase in academic accomplishment for students. Healthy school environments can be achieved through the collaborative partnerships of students, parents and educators. Education is the central element in the lives of the majority of children and youth. Students and their parents or guardians should be as equally involved and present in discussions of the student’s individual education plan (IEP) as they are in other decisions affecting the student’s life. Students know what education techniques have and have not worked well for them in the past and can therefore contribute important information to decisions influencing their lives. Educators should take steps to authentically engage youth in the discussion and learn the youth’s opinion about his or her IEP. It is crucial that youth take ownership of their education plans in order to make their learning experiences truly beneficial and ensure the success of their education plans. The list of resources below can help professionals authentically involve youth in the special education system. These resources are also beneficial tools for youth to learn more about the special education system and how they can use the information to promote change in their lives. *** http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu *** http://www.ldonline.org/kids *** http://www.nichcy.org *** http://www.casel.org/home/index.php March 2006Abuse and Violation of Rights Toward Youth in Residential FacilitiesCases of abuse towards young people and violations of their rights have been occurring in private residential facilities in shockingly growing numbers over the past several years. These cases have begun to be documented and have brought about movements and legislative actions to end abuse in such facilities. The resources below will provide information on the current movements that are taking place, recent legislative bills that have been proposed, as well as providing forums with other youth and youth advocates; and testimonials of youth who have been involved in abusive programs. http://cafety.org/ *** http://www.teenadvocatesusa.org/ *** http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h109-1738 *** http://cfs.fmhi.usf.edu/projects/ASTART.htm January 2006Positive youth development and Juvenile JusticeYoung people in the juvenile justice system often do not receive positive youth development opportunities. A Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach has been shown to be effective in working with vulnerable youth and is beginning to be applied to services for youth in the juvenile justice system. The resources listed below support the PYD approach and provide examples and resources for application. Issue Brief: Focusing Juvenile Justice on Positive Youth Development This issue brief was developed by the Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago. Abstract: “ The concepts underlying positive youth development are beginning to have an impact on how policymakers, practitioners, and community members think about adolescent development and the methods of encouraging youth to achieve healthy transitions to adulthood. Despite the growing acceptance of these goals by some sectors in the social services system, juvenile justice programs are largely focused on the traditional goals of law enforcement -- detection, suppression, supervision, and punishment. This issue brief examines how juvenile justice agencies might draw from the growing body of evidence on positive youth development to improve services for youthful offenders.” Read the Brief (registration is required, but free) *** What is Positive Youth Development? This fact Sheet on Positive Youth Development was developed by the US Department of Health & Human Services Administration for Children and Families. View the fact sheet at http://www.ncfy.com/ydfactsh.htm *** Juvenile Justice and Positive Youth Development This report addresses two fundamental questions: (1) Is there a place for positive youth development in juvenile justice, a system that exists to respond to negative behavior?; (2) if so, is there any chance that positive youth development (PYD) will become central to the juvenile justice culture (as opposed to a characteristic of an exemplary program here or there)? The report concludes that the tenets of positive youth development are more applicable in work with youth who are at risk of entering the juvenile justice system than with those who are already inside the formal system. The author gives proposals for how to authentically implement PYD strategies to curb risky behaviors of youth and to provide hope for those already within the juvenile justice system. To read this report, visit http://www.ppv.org/ppv/publications/assets/74_sup/ydv_7.pdf *** Leadership and Youth Development This document provides an overview of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s Model Programs Guide. It documents the philosophical shift in the juvenile justice system, from focusing on the deficits of youth to focusing on positive interventions for youth that concentrate on improvements in education, social competencies, employability, and other life skills. To view this document, visit http://www.dsgonline.com/mpg2.5/leadership_development_prevention.htm *** Youth Development as Violence Intervention Model Fact Sheet The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center’s Youth Fact Sheet presents ways in which positive youth development can play a key role in violence prevention. It also discusses the ways in which this approach differs from the traditional deficit model. The fact sheet provides an overview of the model, related publications, federal responses, and resources. To view the fact sheet, visit http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/facts/dev.asp *** Can Positive Youth Development Improve Juvenile Justice? This Web site contains the audio recordings from the Urban Institute’s January 2006 Thursday’s Child public discussion series on positive youth development in the juvenile justice system. Description: “Youth crime has declined for much of the past decade, but analysts don't expect the good news to last forever. This panel discussed intervention programs built around concepts of positive youth development, a promising new approach to making juvenile justice more effective. The programs suggest that children develop into successful adults by working through a sequence of developmental stages in which they gradually acquire capacities for reason, self-respect, and personal and social responsibility.” To listen to these recordings, visit http://www.urban.org/Pressroom/thursdayschild/jan2006.cfm November 2005Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (GLBTQ) ResourcesDespite progress that has been made in recent years, GLBTQ youth are still ostracized by a large segment of society and face overt and subtle forms of discrimination every day. It is imperative that system of care communities make it a goal to create safe and welcoming spaces for GLBTQ youth and incorporate aspects of GLBTQ youth culture. There are many resources available on the web that introduce and educate youth-serving organizations about the unique issues that GLBTQ youth face, advocate for GLBTQ rights and create online communities where GLBTQ youth can find support from peers and adult advocates. http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/glbtq.htm Advocates for Youth covers an extensive variety of GLBTQ issues. The site includes fact sheets on issues that GLBTQ youth face such as coming out to family and friends, dangerous school environments, unique issues concerning GLBTQ of color, and substance abuse. The site also offers “Issues at a Glance” and “From Research to Practice,” articles that offer tips and strategies for addressing the needs of GLBTQ youth, taking steps to achieve cultural competency, and creating inclusive programs. The site also provides a link to its sister site, YouthResource, where message boards and additional peer supports are available: www.youthresource.com *** http://www.lgbthealth.net/downloads/research/AdvocatesforYouth.pdf This edition of the Transitions newsletter deals with the topic of respecting the rights of GLBTQ youth. The newsletter lists “best approaches” for successfully serving GLBTQ youth, GLBTQ youth of color, HIV-positive youth, transgender youth, and young people who question their sexual orientation. In addition the newsletter offers factual information about the realities that GLTBQ youth face and risks to their well-being. *** http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/safespace/index.htm This toolkit assists youth-serving professionals with creating a safe space for young people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Topics covered include:
July 2005Information for parents on involving their youth in decision makingThis series, developed by Community Youth Connection, is directed toward parents of youth who are interested in supporting their active role in the decision making process. These four newsletters focus on various aspects of decision making, from personal to community and policy levels. Involving Your Teen in Decision Making Issue #1: Getting Started As the first newsletter of the series, this issue focuses on starting the process which will help parents encourage their teens to learn good decision making skills. By including teenagers in big and small family decisions, parents can keep their teenagers involved in the family and help develop critical skills that will lead the way to becoming responsible adults. The newsletter offers strategies for involving teens in family decisions that focus on ensuring that teens take an interest in family life. To view Issue #1 issue, visit http://www.actforyouth.net/documents/Issue%201%20web.pdf *** Involving Your Teen in Decision Making Issue #2: Parent-Child Communication This issue focuses on cultivating communication skills between parents and their teenagers. The newsletter offers suggestions from experts and research in youth development on how to communicate effectively. The issue also includes “Tips from Teens” on effective ways that parents can include teenagers in discussion about family decision making and examples of conversation starters. To view Issue #2 issue, visit http://www.actforyouth.net/documents/Issue%202%20web.pdf *** Involving Your Teen in Decision Making Issue #3: Development and Decision Making Issue #3 deals with developing decision making skills as your teenager matures and faces new challenges. The newsletter discusses how teens develop in four areas: physical, cognitive, moral and social/emotional and how these changes affect decision making. To view Issue #3 issue, visit http://www.actforyouth.net/documents/Issue%203%20web.pdf *** Involving Your Teen in Decision Making Issue #4: Teen Decision Making at the Community Level The final issue focuses on how parents can involved youth in decision making outside of the family unit. The issue discusses ways in which young people can have a positive effect on their communities and develop life skills at the same time. It also talks about how parents can get their teens involved. The information emphasizes involving teenagers in community decisions that affect them. The issue also suggests various community organizations in which urban, suburban and rural teens can become involved. To view Issue #4 issue, visit http://www.actforyouth.net/documents/Issue%204%20web.pdf March 2005Youth Involvement in the Decision-making Process Council of Michigan Foundations. (n.d). Guidelines and resources for establishing a youth advisory council. Grand Haven, MI: Council of Michigan Foundations. This document addresses issues surrounding youth involvement in advisory committees. It reveals successful ways to establish youth advisory committees in community organizations, providing a real “how to” approach for those with little-to-no experience in this area. *** Do Something, Inc. (n.d.). How-to guide and summary of research on recruiting, involving and developing young leaders in community organizations. New York, NY: Do Something, Inc. This guide, based on a national research project, looks at strategies for involving youth in community-building activities. It provides community organizations with tips and techniques for building successful relationships with youth that will foster enhanced community development. *** Youth On Board. (1999). Youth governance: 14 points to successfully involving young people in decision-making. Somerville, MA: Author. When it comes decision-making, the youth voice often gets lost. Though it can be difficult to fully involve young people in this process, it is essential to keep them involved as the decisions can greatly affect their lives. In order to make sure their ideas, experiences, and opinions are accounted for when it comes time to make decisions, this document provides important information on how to involve young people in the decision-making process. *** Zeldin, S., McDaniel, A., Topitzes, D., & Calvert, M. (2000). Youth in decision-making: A study on the impacts of youth on adults in organizations. Madison, WI: National 4-H Council, University of Wisconsin Extension. Bringing youth to the table when it comes time to make decisions is no easy task, but it can bring about great results. This study looks at the effects of involving young people in decision-making and the impact on both community organizations and community change. January 2005Hoover , A., & Weisenbach, A. (1999). Youth leading now! Securing a place at the table. New Designs for Youth Development, 15 (3), 29–35. Retrieved on October 28, 2004, from http://www.cydjournal.org/NewDesigns/ND_99Sum/Hoover.html . As the youth movement continues to gain momentum, it is important that we continue to develop resources aimed at addressing the needs of successful youth-adult governance. This article offers examples of success stories, tips on the “DOs and DON'Ts” of youth-adult partnership, and suggestions on ways to support youth governance. *** Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development. (2001). At the table: Making the case for youth in decision-making research highlights from a study on the impacts of youth on adults and organizations. Chevy Chase, MD : Innovation Center (available online at www.theinnovationcenter.org). While involving young people in the decision-making process has been shown to promote positive development, there are a number of lesser known benefits. This study shows that the benefits of youth involvement are felt not only by the young people themselves, but are seen in the adults with whom they work and in the organizations in which they invest their time. The study reveals that involving young people in the governance of youth organizations is a practice that really makes sense. *** Mohamed, I.A., Wheeler, W. (2001). Broadening the bounds of youth development: Youth as engaged citizens. A Joint Publication of The Ford Foundation (New York) and The Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development (Chevy Chase, MD). Retrieved here (PDF) on October 28, 2004. Civic engagement is re-emerging as a way for young people to develop their leadership skills while helping to create change in their communities. This paper explores the benefits of civic engagement for young people, suggests ways to promote civic involvement, and explores the various ways youth can become involved in their communities. November 2004How do you get youth involved in evaluation? The techniques and findings described in each of these articles are transferable to youth involvement within systems of care. Checkoway, B., & Richards-Schuster, U. K. (2003). Youth participation in community evaluation research. American Journal of Evaluation, 24 (1), 21–33. http://www.ssw.umich.edu/youthandcommunity/pubs/AJE_Paper.pdf Though young people currently participate in evaluation research, they are often not fully utilized or appreciated for all that they can provide. This paper explores some of the positive features of youth participation and identifies roles for youth in evaluation research, illustrating these points with an example program. *** Horsch, K., Little, P., Smith, J., Goodyear, L., & Harris, E. (2002). Youth involvement in evaluation and research. The Evaluation Exchange, 1 , 1–8 . Cambridge , MA : Harvard Family Research Project, Harvard Graduate School of Education. http://www.gse.harvard.edu/~hfrp/content/projects/afterschool/resources/issuebrief1.pdf This brief looks at a number of “youth as researcher” projects, providing information on the evolution of such programs and what makes them successful. It concludes with insight into the organizational culture of youth serving organizations and provides information on the various organizations represented in the brief. *** London , J. (2000). The experience of youth in focus: Youth development through youth-led research, evaluation and planning. Focal Point: A National Bulletin on Family Support and Children's Mental Health, 14, 35–36. Retrieved October 28, 2004, from http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgPubsScript.php?documentID=347&choice=download For ten years, Youth in Focus has worked to strengthen youth-serving organizations and enhance youth development by building the leadership capacity of youth and the capacity of the youth-serving institutions to integrate and sustain youth leadership. This article will provide a brief overview of Youth in Focus' services and their positive effects. The article concludes with observations about the implications of the Youth REP (research, evaluation, and planning) process for the youth development field, and in particular, its applications to mental health. |
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