brianna valesey and carrie relf keys to successful and effective youth engagement
TRANSCRIPT
BRIANNA VALESEY AND CARRIE RELF
Keys to Successful and Effective Youth Engagement
Youth Power!
Brianna Valesey, Youth Engagement Consultant
Carrie Relf,Assistant Director
Agenda
Youth Engagement and the Positive Youth Development Approach
Methods for Recruiting Youth
Setting Realistic Expectations for Youth and Youth Groups
Partnering with Providers to Assure Retention and Sustainability
Youth Development and Engagement
Understanding Youth Development
The Positive Youth Development (PYD) Approach
Examples The Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets The Circle of Courage
Engaging Young People
Always invite 2 or more youth. Hold a small pre-meeting to ensure young
people are prepared.Explain jargon and have reference tip sheets.Ensure transportation is arranged and all
logistics are spelled out.Secure a “buddy” to support youth during the
meeting.Help create a comfortable accepting
atmosphere.Follow up after the meeting.
Engaging Young People
Ensure youth know their responsibilitiesHelp brainstorm and provide examplesBe supportive and have high expectationsOutline benefits and incentives to
participationTreat youth as equals and experts Assure youth they will have resources and
support they need.
Cultural Competency
Cultural CompetencyLinguistic Competency
Youth Culture
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8OPBFw_kD15VAYlwcThXug
“Youth Culture Shock”
Definition of Youth GuidedYouth-Guided means that young people have the right to be empowered, educated, and given a decision making role in the care of their own lives as well as the policies and procedures governing care for all youth in the community, state and nation. This includes giving young people a sustainable voice and then listening to that voice.
Youth-guided organizations create safe environments that enable young people to gain self sustainability in accordance with the cultures and beliefs with which they identify.
Further, a youth-guided approach recognizes that there is a continuum of power that should be shared with young people based on their understanding and maturity in a strength based change process. Youth guided organizations recognize that this process should be fun and worthwhile.
This definition was developed by Youth M.O.V.E. National, in conjunction with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Optimizing Youth Leadership
Technical Assistance Partnership “Youth Involvement in Systems of Care: A guide to Empowerment”, January 2005
Methods for Recruiting Youth
Develop an outreach plan
Involve Youth
Identify and Develop outreach materials Website, print materials, newspaper, radio/PSAs, press
releases, giveaways.
Distribute materials where youth are found
Focused Futures, “Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement,” 2007
Methods for Recruiting Youth
Create a youth-friendly environment
Offer flexible hours
Use incentives Offer small incentives to current youth participants
for recruiting youth
Personalize Recruitment
Focused Futures, “Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement,” 2007
Barriers to Youth Involvement
Technical Assistance Partnership “Youth Involvement in Systems of Care: A guide to Empowerment”, January 2005
Barriers to Youth Involvement
Technical Assistance Partnership “Youth Involvement in Systems of Care: A guide to Empowerment”, January 2005
Ensuring youth can build upon their experience
Guide youth on how to list activities on a
resume.
Host “professional mentoring” events.Write letters of recommendation and be a
reference for employment and education.
Nominate youth leaders for awards and
recognition.
Link youth to additional opportunities.
Help youth maintain a balance of tasks.
Setting Realistic Expectations
What opportunities, learning experiences, and supports do
young people need to be provided in order to feel connected, prepared, and engaged?
Partnering with Providers
Create a list of potential supporters Involve youth in the search
Conduct a needs assessment What resources are needed right now? What can wait?
Develop a strategy for engaging the support of qualified community members Are the mission and overall vision of this organization
aligned with your program’s mission and vision? What are your expectations for a relationship with this
partner? What resources will this partner bring to the relationship? What will your program bring to the relationship?
Child Trends, “Building Community Partnerships: Tips for Out-of-School Time Programs,” March 2008
Partnering with Providers
Ask for and provide referralsCombine and share resources
Child Trends, “Building Community Partnerships: Tips for Out-of-School Time Programs,” March 2008
Outreach Tips• Develop and make presentations to partners.
• Use standard, consistent branding.• Target your message to the information needs
and level of interest of partners.• Hook• Additional information on funding,
populations, eligibility, components, and procedures
• Full contact information• Assign a staff member to maintain contact for
outreach
Focused Futures, “Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement,” 2007
Resources
Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets http://www.search-institute.org/content/40-developmental-assets-adolescents-ages-12-18
Circle of Courage https://reclaiming.com/content/aboutcircleofcourage
Youth Involvement in Systems of Care: A Guide to Empowerment Marlene Matarese, M.S.W. Lorrin McGinnis. Martha Mora January, 2005 http://www.tapartnership.org/docs/Youth_Involvement.pdf
Building Community Partnerships: Tips for Out-of-School Time Programs Mary Burkhauser, M.A., Jacuinta Bronte-Tinkew, Ph.D., and Elena Kennedy, B.A. March, 2008 http://www.childtrends.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/Child_Trends-2008_03_12_PI_CommunityPartner.pdf
Contact information
Brianna Valesey, Youth Engagement [email protected]
1-518-432-0333 ext. 31
@YOUTHPOWERNY
/YOUTHPOWER.NY
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