BRIANNA VALESEY AND CARRIE RELF Keys to Successful and Effective Youth Engagement

Youth Power! Brianna Valesey, Youth Engagement Consultant Carrie Relf, Assistant Director

Agenda Youth Engagement and the Positive Youth Development Approach Methods for Recruiting Youth Setting Realistic Expectations for Youth and Youth Groups Partnering with Providers to Assure Retention and Sustainability

Youth Development and Engagement Understanding Youth Development The Positive Youth Development (PYD) Approach Examples  The Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets  The Circle of Courage

Engaging Young People Always invite 2 or more youth. Hold a small pre-meeting to ensure young people are prepared. Explain jargon and have reference tip sheets. Ensure transportation is arranged and all logistics are spelled out. Secure a “buddy” to support youth during the meeting. Help create a comfortable accepting atmosphere. Follow up after the meeting.

Engaging Young People Ensure youth know their responsibilities Help brainstorm and provide examples Be supportive and have high expectations Outline benefits and incentives to participation Treat youth as equals and experts Assure youth they will have resources and support they need.

Cultural Competency Linguistic Competency Youth Culture “Youth Culture Shock”

Definition of Youth Guided Youth-Guided means that young people have the right to be empowered, educated, and given a decision making role in the care of their own lives as well as the policies and procedures governing care for all youth in the community, state and nation. This includes giving young people a sustainable voice and then listening to that voice. Youth-guided organizations create safe environments that enable young people to gain self sustainability in accordance with the cultures and beliefs with which they identify. Further, a youth-guided approach recognizes that there is a continuum of power that should be shared with young people based on their understanding and maturity in a strength based change process. Youth guided organizations recognize that this process should be fun and worthwhile. This definition was developed by Youth M.O.V.E. National, in conjunction with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Optimizing Youth Leadership Technical Assistance Partnership “Youth Involvement in Systems of Care: A guide to Empowerment”, January 2005

Methods for Recruiting Youth Develop an outreach plan Involve Youth Identify and Develop outreach materials  Website, print materials, newspaper, radio/PSAs, press releases, giveaways. Distribute materials where youth are found Focused Futures, “Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement,” 2007

Methods for Recruiting Youth Create a youth-friendly environment Offer flexible hours Use incentives  Offer small incentives to current youth participants for recruiting youth Personalize Recruitment Focused Futures, “Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement,” 2007

Barriers to Youth Involvement Technical Assistance Partnership “Youth Involvement in Systems of Care: A guide to Empowerment”, January 2005

Barriers to Youth Involvement Technical Assistance Partnership “Youth Involvement in Systems of Care: A guide to Empowerment”, January 2005

Ensuring youth can build upon their experience Guide youth on how to list activities on a resume. Host “professional mentoring” events. Write letters of recommendation and be a reference for employment and education. Nominate youth leaders for awards and recognition. Link youth to additional opportunities. Help youth maintain a balance of tasks.

Setting Realistic Expectations What opportunities, learning experiences, and supports do young people need to be provided in order to feel connected, prepared, and engaged?

Partnering with Providers Create a list of potential supporters  Involve youth in the search Conduct a needs assessment  What resources are needed right now? What can wait? Develop a strategy for engaging the support of qualified community members  Are the mission and overall vision of this organization aligned with your program’s mission and vision?  What are your expectations for a relationship with this partner?  What resources will this partner bring to the relationship?  What will your program bring to the relationship? Child Trends, “Building Community Partnerships: Tips for Out-of-School Time Programs,” March 2008

Partnering with Providers Ask for and provide referrals Combine and share resources Child Trends, “Building Community Partnerships: Tips for Out-of-School Time Programs,” March 2008 Outreach Tips Develop and make presentations to partners. Use standard, consistent branding. Target your message to the information needs and level of interest of partners. Hook Additional information on funding, populations, eligibility, components, and procedures Full contact information Assign a staff member to maintain contact for outreach Focused Futures, “Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement,” 2007 Outreach Tips Develop and make presentations to partners. Use standard, consistent branding. Target your message to the information needs and level of interest of partners. Hook Additional information on funding, populations, eligibility, components, and procedures Full contact information Assign a staff member to maintain contact for outreach Focused Futures, “Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement,” 2007

Resources Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets  Circle of Courage  Youth Involvement in Systems of Care: A Guide to Empowerment Marlene Matarese, M.S.W. Lorrin McGinnis. Martha Mora January, 2005  Building Community Partnerships: Tips for Out-of-School Time Programs Mary Burkhauser, M.A., Jacuinta Bronte- Tinkew, Ph.D., and Elena Kennedy, B.A. March, 2008 

Contact information Brianna Valesey, Youth Engagement Consultant ext. /YOUTHPOWER.NY Find us On…