Youth Development 1 Youth Development by Elaine Johannes

Youth Development 1

Youth Development by Elaine Johannes, Ph. D. Youth Development Specialist 2

Module Objectives § Understand positive youth development § Acknowledge K-State Research and Extension’s contributions to positive youth development § Lead Community efforts for positive youth development § Provide educational opportunities for all youth 3

Local Extension Board Youth Development Mission “ Each county extension council or extension district shall have for its sole purpose the giving of instruction and practical demonstrations in. . . 4 -H club and youth work. . . ” (Kansas County Extension Council Law, as amended 1991; section 2 -616) 4

Extension Board Members. . . • Understand youth needs (ie. , data) • Provide high-quality services • Invest in best practices and proven programs • Support youth worker professional development 5 • Advocate for youth, give them opportunities to lead

Positive Youth Development – National Data • People 15 to 25 years old volunteer at higher rates than adults. (Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement – CIRCLE, 2003) • In 2001, 87% of young adults (18 - to 24 -year-olds) completed high school. (Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics, 2003) • More youth are choosing healthy behaviors over healthrisk behaviors. (The Urban Institute, 2003) 6

Positive Youth Development – Kansas Data • Tobacco use is down to 14. 91%, but use of smokeless tobacco is 17. 4%. (Kansas Kids Count, 2006; www. kac. org; Kansas Youth Tobacco Survey, 2002) • High school graduation rates are up to 89. 22% in 2006, compared to 85% nationally. (Kansas Kids Count, 2006; www. kac. org; www. kidscount. org/sld/) • Binge drinking among youth had decreased to 16. 70% in 2006. (Kansas Kids Count, 2006; www. kac. org) 7

2007 Kansas Youth Risk Behavior Survey Never or rarely wore a seatbelt when riding in a car Attempted suicide during the past 12 months Ever had sexual intercourse Used marijuana during the past 30 days Drank alcohol during the past 30 days Smoked cigarettes during the past 30 days Did not eat five or more fruits and vegetables per day Were overweight* Did not attend PE class daily Did not achieve recommended weekly physical activity** *At or above the 95 th percentile for body mass index (BMI), by age and sex. The BMI is calculated based on self-reported weight and height data. ** Recommended levels of physical activity: at least 20 minutes of vigorous physical activity on three or more of the past seven days. 8 www. kshealthykids. org

Positive Youth Development • Process of growth. • Principles that promote positive development. • Practices intentionally applied to support youth development. 9

Process Youth development is a physical, social, emotional, cognitive, moral process that lasts a lifetime. 10

Principles “ Problem free is not fully prepared. ” (Karen Pittman, 1994) The long-term goals of positive youth development are the 5 C’s: ØCompetence ØConnection ØConfidence ØCharacter ØCaring National 4 -H Positive Youth Development Study (Lerner, R. , Lerner, J. ) funded by the National 4 -Council and William T. Grant Foundation 11

Effective youth workers foster the 5 C’s through intentional efforts that expose youth to services, opportunities and supports that are rich with. . . 12

Features of Positive Developmental Settings • • Physical and psychological safety Appropriate structure Supportive relationships Opportunities to belong Positive social norms Support for efficacy and mattering Opportunities for skill-building Integration of family, school, and community efforts (Eccles & Gootman, 2002, NRC/IOM) 13

The Features are also the 4 -H Essential Elements 1. Positive relationship with a caring adult 2. Safe environment 3. Inclusive environment 4. Engagement in learning 5. Opportunity for mastery 6. Opportunity to see oneself as an active participant in the future 7. Opportunity for selfdetermination 8. Opportunity to value and practice service for others (National 4 -H Impact Design Implementation Team, 1999) 14

Practices Youth development is the application of principles to a planned set of practices (ie. , services, opportunities, supports) that foster the developmental process in young people. 15

Extension Boards Support an Array For Youth Positive youth development requires that allied youth fields address obstacles and provide settings, opportunities that promote positive development. (Eccles & Gootman, 2002, NRC/IOM) 16 (The Forum for Youth Investment, 2004)

SOS: Services, Opportunities, Supports: Services: Provided to or for youth Conducted with youth YOUTH Pittman, K. (2002). What Youth Need: Services, Supports and Opportunities. Ingredients for Youth. www. forumfyi. org 17 Opportunities: Done by youth

Extension Boards Support Professional Development An effective youth worker has competence in: Ø Youth development (processes, principles) Ø Ø Ø Youth program development (practices) Volunteerism (practices) Equity, access and opportunity (principles) Partnerships (practices) Organizational systems (practices) (USDA 4 -H PRKC, 2004) 18

Board Members are Allies • Allies are adults who advocate and support young people. • They assist young people in their lives, support them when they struggle, and let them know how important they are and that change is possible. Source: Youth on Board, Get the Word out! 2001 19

Resources Forum for Youth Investment www. forumforyouthinvestment. org Child Trends www. childtrends. org National 4 -H Council www. 4 -Hcouncil. org US Dept. HHS/Admin. for Children and Families www. ncfy. com National 4 -H Essential Elements www. 4 -h. org/resources/staff/essentialelements. html US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Healthy Youth www. healthyyouth. org 20

Youth Development For more information, contact: Elaine Johannes, Ph. D. School of Family Studies and Human Services K-State Research and Extension 785 -532 -7720 ejohanne@ksu. edu 21