Youth Development

1. Youth Development

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

3. Module Objectives • Understand positiveyouth development • Acknowledge K-State Research and Extension’s contributions to positive youth development • Lead Community efforts for positive youth development • Provideeducational opportunities for all youth

4. 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)

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

6. 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 health-risk behaviors. (The Urban Institute, 2003)

7. 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)

8. 2007 KansasYouth 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 95th 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. www.kshealthykids.org

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

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

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

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

13. 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)

14. 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 self-determination 8. Opportunity to value and practice service for others The Features are also the 4-H Essential Elements (National 4-H Impact Design Implementation Team, 1999)

15. 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.

16. 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) (The Forum for Youth Investment, 2004)

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

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

19. 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

20. 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 Resources

21. 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 Youth Development