Post on 27-Mar-2015
Youth Development & Youth Youth Development & Youth LeadershipLeadership
Definitions & Outcomes Definitions & Outcomes
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment2
Presenters:
Patricia Gill, Senior Project Manager, National Youth Employment Coalition; Member, NCWD/Youth
Mindy Larson, Project Manager, National Youth Employment Coalition; Member, NCWD/Youth
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment3
About NYEC
National membership organization Organization of organizations Promote practices & policies that work for
youth employment Build capacity of programs & organizations Provide & support professional development Track, craft, & influence policy
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment4
NCWD/Youth Mission
To ensure that youth with disabilities are provided full access to high quality services in integrated settings in order to maximize their opportunity for employment and independent living
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment5
COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS
Center for Workforce Development, the Institute for Educational Leadership
Disability Studies & Services Center, the Academy for Educational Development
National Conference of State Legislatures
National Youth Employment Coalition
National Association of Workforce Boards
National Center on Secondary Education & Transition, the University of Minnesota
TransCen, Inc.
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment6
Why this session?
NCWD/Youth believes, based on research All effective youth programs have youth
development at their core Effective youth initiatives focus on a wide range
of developmental needs Youth development encompasses youth
leadership Effective youth leadership programs should build
on youth development principles and objectives
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment7
What You Will Find in this Training Session
Definitions of Youth Development & Youth Leadership
Importance of Youth Development & Youth Leadership
Outcomes & Activities for the Five Areas of Youth Development
Organizational & Programmatic Components
Resources/Handouts
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment8
Definition of Youth Development
Adapted from NYEC and National Collaboration for Youth
Youth development is a process which prepares young people to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood through a coordinated, progressive series of activities and experiences which help them to become socially, morally, emotionally, physically, and cognitively competent.
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment9
Definition of Youth Leadership
Based on Adolescent Employment Readiness Center, Children’s Hospital
Two-part working definition of youth leadership Youth leadership is (1) “The ability to guide or direct others on a course
of action, influence the opinion and behavior of other people, and show the way by going in advance” (Wehmeyer, Agran, & Hughes, 1998);
and…
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment10
Definition of Youth Leadership, Part 2
(2) “the ability to analyze one's own strengths and weaknesses, set personal and vocational goals, and have the self-esteem to carry them out. It includes the ability to identify community resources and use them, not only to live independently, but also to establish support networks to participate in community life and to effect positive social change.”
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment11
Youth Development Program Outcomes
Increased self esteem, positive peer relations, and sense of personal control
Better development of leadership, communication, and decision-making skills
Increased dependability and job responsibility Greater communication in the family Fewer psychosocial problems (i.e., loneliness,
shyness)
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment12
Youth Development Program Outcomes
Increased academic achievement Increased safety Increased motivation to succeed Increased positive health decisions Decreased involvement in risky behaviors (I.e.,
tobacco, alcohol and drug use)
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment13
Why is Leadership Programming Important to Youth with Disabilities?
Assists young people to become self-sufficient and productive members of society
Assists in the development of advocacy (self-determination) skills
Fosters making informed choices Experiences success Exposes youth to role models and leaders with
and without disabilities
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment14
Youth Development Programming Areas
The range of youth development outcomes can be organized into five developmental areas:
– Working– Learning – Thriving– Connecting– Leading
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment15
Working
The development of positive occupational and career attitudes, skills and behaviors through activities that offer the chance to practice technical and “soft skills” needed to maintain employment
Some activities supporting Working:– Job shadowing– Internships– Entrepreneurship
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment16
Activities that Support “Working”
Visiting education and/or training programs Completing a mock job-search and interview
process Writing a resume Interviewing representatives from specific
industries Attending workplace behavior workshops Developing a forum for networking Visiting industry sites Small business project
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment17
Learning
The development of positive basic and applied academic attitudes, skills, and behavior
To develop higher aptitude for academic skill, and the ability to approach endeavors with a strategy to achieve
Some activities supporting Learning:– Formal and informal skills assessment– Identification of learning styles and
difficulties
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment18
Activities that Support “Learning”
Peer tutoring activities Access to testing preparation classes Group problem-solving activities Develop a formal learning plan Accountability for grades Showcase of work highlighting a learning
experience Service-learning projects
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment19
Thriving
The development of attitudes, skills and behaviors demonstrated by maintaining optimal physical and emotional well-being
Some activities supporting Thriving:– Peer workshops on nutrition and hygiene– Community resource mapping– Conflict management skill-building
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment20
Activities that Support “Thriving”
Health-related workshops Role-playing activities Personal and peer counseling Meal planning/preparation activities Social activities requiring communication Directory of community resources
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment21
Connecting
The development of and maintaining of positive social behaviors, skills and attitudes through relationships with elders, family, peers, supervisors, and community members
Some activities supporting Connecting:– Mentoring– Tutoring– Building community networks– Accessing community resources
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment22
Activities that Support “Connecting”
Researching community resources and leaders
Writing letters and creating videos for friends and family
Attending job and trade fairs Role-playing interviews Participating in team-building activities Older to younger youth mentoring
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment23
Leading
The development of positive skills, attitudes, and behaviors around civic/public involvement and personal goal setting
Some activities supporting Leading:– Registering to vote– Volunteering– Peer mediation activities– Youth advisory committees
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment24
Activities that Support “Leading”
Developing a personal plan Creating a map of local youth resources Participating in town meetings Planning a program activity Participating in a local issue debate Participating in a letter writing campaign Meeting with local officials
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment25
Organizational Components
Common youth development programs can be divided into organizational and programmatic components
Organizational Components:– Clear mission, vision, and goal– Staff trained in youth development– Obvious connections to the community– Relationships with other youth-serving groups– Youth involvement at all levels
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment26
Programmatic Components
Varied, hands-on, and experiential learning Youth involved in developing and implementing
activities Opportunities for youth to succeed Opportunities to take on various roles Family involvement Interaction with mentors and role models Education on community & program values &
history
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment27
Disability Focus
Additional program components may be included in youth programming for youth with disabilities such as:– History and culture of disability– Knowledge of laws, policies, & rights– Role modeling and mentoring by persons with and
without disabilities– Knowledge building of community-specific
resources for persons with disabilities– Ongoing assessments for independent living– Self advocacy skill building
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment28
TYPES OF PRODUCTS AND RESOURCES
• “How-To” Guides• Information and Policy Briefs• Backgrounders• Facts and Stats• Hot Topics Syntheses• Funding Sources• Training Materials
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth -- Making the Connection between Youth with Disabilities & Employment29
Contact NCWD/Youth & NYEC
NCWD/Youth: www.ncwd-youth.info
1 - 877 - 871 - 0744 (toll free)
1 - 877 - 871 - 0665 (TTY toll free)
NYEC: www.nyec.org
Ph. 202 - 659 - 1064
Contact: Patricia Gill, pg@nyec.org