November 2011 Archives

4-H educator Ann Walter and YD program evaluation educator Samantha Grant have published an article in the Journal of Extension on the importance of cultural responsiveness in youth work.

The article describes results of a study of youth workers who have taken the Youth Work Institute course "Culturally Responsive Youth Work Matters." The course and this study both build upon existing research by Geneva Gay, who says that "when knowledge and skills are found within the lived experiences and cultural contexts of youth, they are more meaningful and more engaging and are learned more easily."

Read the article

The latest issue of Afterschool Matters features an article by Youth Work Institute staff and research associates Rebecca Saito and Kate Walker.

The article is based on the evaluation of the Youth Action Crew project, which was created and piloted by Saito as part of the Youth Engagement work she leads in the Center for Youth Development. The effort was created to address the fact that youth often do not know what is available in their community. The article features Camden's Youth Engagement Project, Brooklyn Park Community Youth Action Crew, Richfield and Bloomington Youth Action Crews, and Carver County. Youth Action Crews map the youth development programs and places in their neighborhoods in order to raise public awareness of opportunities and of where such opportunities don't exist.

Read the article, starting on page 30

Rebecca Saito, senior research associate for the Center for Youth Development, recently prepared for a workshop she facilitated on mentoring teenagers. She googled "mentoring older youth" to learn about current research and practice. Virtually all of the search results made the assumption that older youth are troubled, high-risk, juvenile delinquents, pregnant and parenting, in foster care or have parents in prison. What is that about?! Read more

Join us at the Annual Youth Program Quality Conference to get energized, meet your colleagues and get a host of new ideas to take back to your program.

Pre-Conference - November 17: 9- 4 PM
Conference - November 18, 8:30 - 4:15 PM

Eagan Community Center

Highlights:

* This year we have added a pre-conference course on using the YPQA for self assessment. If you are ready to train your staff to use the YPQA in your program - this is a great way to get them prepared.
* Need some new ideas for designing active learning? We got 'em.
* Need some support to improve quality? Spend the day with Stephanie Love and learn how to coach for quality improvement using observation/reflection techniques.

REGISTER