Essential Elements of Youth Development Programs Key Ingredients

Essential Elements of Youth Development Programs Key Ingredients for Program Success

Curriculum Authors Curriculum Design Team Jill Martz, Ph. D Texas A&M Claudia Mincemoyer, Ph. D Penn State University Niki Nestor Mc. Neely, Ph. D (retired) The Ohio State University Contributing Authors Lori Purcell Bledsoe, Ed. D University of Georgia P. Craig Dart, Utah State University Elaine Johannes , Ph. D, Kansas State University Angie Arnould, Louisiana State University Kim Gressley, MEd, University of Arizona Kenneth Jones, Ph. D, University of Kentucky Jacqueline V. Lerner, Ph. D, Boston College Debbie Mc. Donald, Ph. D, West Virginia University Kyle Worthington, MS, Oklahoma State University

Training Outline • CYTTAP • Train the Trainer • Overview of Curriculum Let’s Get Acquainted!!

Positive Youth Development programs set the stage for youth to acquire skills and abilities to succeed: 1. 2. 3. 4. Independence Belonging Generosity Mastery

4 Concepts: 8 Essential Elements Belonging • Positive relationship with a caring adult • An inclusive environment • A safe environment Mastery Independence • Engagement in • Opportunity to learning see oneself as an active • Opportunity participant in for mastery the future Generosity • Opportunity to value and practice service to others • Opportunity for selfdetermination Source: Kress, C. (2004) Essential Elements of 4 -H Youth Development. National 4 -H Headquarters, CSREES UDSA,

If Youth Needs are Met in Positive Ways: Youth develop characteristics most of us relate to healthy, successful adults. . .

Essential Elements Curriculum Professional development for youth-serving professionals and volunteers to: – identify the key components of a positive youth development program and potential outcomes for youth – identify what each element looks like “in practice” – assess current youth programs for success in incorporating the 8 Essential Elements

Essential Elements Curriculum INTENTIONAL

Ten Curriculum Sessions • • • The Key Ingredients: An Overview A Positive Relationship with a Caring Adult A Safe Emotional and Physical Environment An Inclusive Environment Engagement in Learning Opportunity for Mastery Opportunity to See Oneself as an Active Participant in the Future Opportunity for Self-Determination Opportunity to Value and Practice Service to Others Pizza Supreme! Putting It All Together & Applying It to My Program

Session Contents • • • Definition of the element Application in programming Introduction to the session Goal of the session Session objectives Materials needed Time to complete Activity instructions Prompts for processing, generalizing and applying learning

Curriculum Implementation • Each module is approximately 1 hour • First module is overview of 8 Essential Elements • Last module is a summary of 8 Essential Elements • Total time to implement entire curriculum: approx. 10 hrs.

Experiential Activities • 2+ hands-on activities for each Essential Element – Do, share, process, generalize, apply • Digging deeper activities

Essential Elements Training Kit

Program Characteristic Card Sort Essential Elements Overview

Let’s Play Essential Elements

Session 1 – Key Ingredients • Learn definition of the 8 essential elements and relate to your own experiences as a youth worker.

4 Concepts Belonging Elements • Positive Relationship with a Caring Adult • A Safe Emotional and Physical Environment • An Inclusive Environment

Chain of Diversity

4 Concepts Mastery Elements • Engaged in Learning • Opportunity for Mastery

Putting It All Together • Photo of page

4 Concepts Independence Elements • Opportunity to See Oneself as an Active Participant in the Future • Opportunity for Self-Determination

Examining Teen/Adult Partnerships

4 Concepts Generosity Element • Opportunity to Value and Practice Service to Others

Wall of Service

Session 10 Applying to My Program Ø Be intentional Ø Promote the Essential Element Ø Identify strategies to incorporate into programming Ø Develop a plan

Session Evaluation: Retrospective

Curriculum Appendix • Ice Breakers • Essential Elements Program Checklist • Ages and Stages • Certificate of Recognition • Web Appendix - Essential Elements

My Checklist

Potential Training Opportunities • Out of School programs • Volunteers-all program types • Teen Volunteers • Camp Counselors • Other Youth-Serving Agency Staff and Volunteers • Advisory Boards and Councils • Others?

Questions and Discussion