1 Establishing Youth-Led Prevention within Your Coalition With Allison Sharer, OCPS II Statewide Prevention Coalition Association January 2012 Drug Free Action Alliance

2 Welcome! Please share: Your name Your name Your coalition & where from Your coalition & where from Whether your coalition involves youth in leadership roles Whether your coalition involves youth in leadership roles What you like BEST about working with youth What you like BEST about working with youth

3 There is no legal “leading age.” Leadership is available to anyone who believes they can make the world a better place. Ty Sells Youth to Youth International

4 Community Coalitions & Youth Engagement  To be successful, coalitions must have an inclusive & broad-based membership Therefore, youth inclusion is vital to success Therefore, youth inclusion is vital to success  Effective planning is crucial Therefore, youth perspective is vital to success Therefore, youth perspective is vital to success  Any individual’s involvement in a coalition must be meaningful Therefore, youth leadership is vital to success Therefore, youth leadership is vital to success  True partnership is the cornerstone of coalitions Therefore, youth/adult partnerships are vital to success Therefore, youth/adult partnerships are vital to success

5 The Youth Engagement Continuum InterventionDevelopment Collective Empowerment Systemic Change Youth Services Approach Youth Development Youth Leadership CivicEngagement Youth Organizing Listen, Inc. An Emerging Model for Working with Youth (2000)

6 Activity: Small Group Discussion 1. In your community, how do you think young people generally view youth- focused initiatives/organizations? 2. In your community, are there meaningful ways for youth to be involved as social change agents? 3. What part of the spectrum best fits how your coalition currently operates?

7 Research Support for Youth Engagement At the Table: Making a Case for Youth in Decision Making Research Highlights from a Study on the Impacts of Youth on Adults and Organizations Innovation Center for Community & Youth Development and National 4-H University of Wisconsin-Madison

8 Research Support for Youth Engagement  Benefits: Organizations improved! Increased ability to achieve positive outcomes Increased ability to achieve positive outcomes Clarified mission Clarified mission Became more responsive to the youth in the community Became more responsive to the youth in the community Led to reaching out to the community in more diverse ways Led to reaching out to the community in more diverse ways Helped funders to see the organization was serious about youth development Helped funders to see the organization was serious about youth development

9 Research Support for Youth Engagement  Benefits: Adults improved! Perceptions of youth as legitimate, crucial contributors Perceptions of youth as legitimate, crucial contributors Commitment & energy to the organization Commitment & energy to the organization Effectiveness & confidence in working with & relating to youth Effectiveness & confidence in working with & relating to youth Community connectedness Community connectedness

10 Research Support for Youth Engagement Youth bring:  Energy  Fresh perspective  Sense of community  Ability to bring attention to their needs/concerns Adults bring:  Organizational experience  Administrative experience  Guidance & support  Institutional power  Access to resources

11 Research Support for Youth Engagement  Challenges in getting youth involved: Lack of knowledge Lack of knowledge Unwillingness to get involved Unwillingness to get involved Lack of a support network Lack of a support network Unclear roles Unclear roles Unique needs Unique needs

12 The Spectrum of Adult Attitudes Toward Young People Young People Viewed as Objects Young People Viewed as Resources Young People Viewed as Recipients Style #1Style #2Style #3

13 A Comparison of Results Across the Spectrum Youth viewed as OBJECTS: The adult is in control; no intention of youth involvement Objective:Personal growth of youth Byproduct: Conformity & acceptance of program as is Lofquist & Miller (1989) The Prevention Technology Workbook.

14 A Comparison of Results Across the Spectrum Youth viewed as RECIPIENTS: The adult is in control; allows youth involvement Objective:Personal growth of youth Byproduct: Increased organizational effectiveness Lofquist & Miller (1989) The Prevention Technology Workbook.

15 A Comparison of Results Across the Spectrum Youth viewed as RESOURCES: Shared control; youth/adult partnership Objective:Increased organizational effectiveness Byproduct: Personal growth of youth Lofquist & Miller (1989) The Prevention Technology Workbook.

16 Youth/Adult Partnerships Three Conditions  Adults are willing to share their power & responsibility with young people  Young people are willing to take on responsibility  Both need skills to successfully work together

17 Your Challenge! Take an honest & fearless look at yourself (& your organization)  Is this a new concept or old hat?  If this makes sense in your head, do your actions usually match it?  Is this natural or difficult for you?  Is this IN or OUT of your comfort zone? 

18 Sample Ideas for Engaging Students in Environmental Prevention  Working with Students to Address Alcohol at Public Events Toolkit from Drug-Free Action Alliance Toolkit from Drug-Free Action Alliance  Policy Initiatives Examples from Youth Leadership Institute Examples from Youth Leadership Institute  Law Enforcement Strategies Examples from MADD Youth in Action projects Examples from MADD Youth in Action projects  Evaluation & Research Participatory Action Research Participatory Action Research  Others?

19 Adults will need to:  Set aside all pre-conceived notions of youth  Involve youth from the beginning (but it’s never too late to start!)  Make a long-term commitment to meaningfully involve youth  Recruit multiple youth One youth cannot represent all other youth One youth cannot represent all other youth Can offset any intimidation youth may feel Treat youth the same way they treat adults Can offset any intimidation youth may feel Treat youth the same way they treat adults  Involve a diverse group of youth, not just the ‘stars’

20 What is the Adult Role?  Be a partner!  Be an ally!  Foster equal involvement  Be a guide Safety, liability, $ Safety, liability, $ Prevention expertise Prevention expertise  Run interference with adult systems  Document/evaluate

21 Elements of Success  Have clear goals for the partnership  Get the highest level of the organization to fully commit to youth participation  Be selective about youth & adults recruited to work in partnership  Ensure clear understanding of youth & adult roles & responsibilities  Hold high expectations for all partners’ participation & hold everyone accountable for their responsibilities

22 More Elements of Success  Provide on-going capacity building & training  Be aware of different communication styles Don’t assume a different communication style is a show of disrespect, disinterest or different goals/expectations Don’t assume a different communication style is a show of disrespect, disinterest or different goals/expectations Have a plan for conflict resolution Have a plan for conflict resolution Set a norm of simply asking a question when one does not understand what is being said or why Set a norm of simply asking a question when one does not understand what is being said or why  Include room for growth

23 Garnering Youth Participation  Be able to answer: “WIIFM?”  Be energetic! If you aren’t excited about working with them, they won’t be excited about working with you If you aren’t excited about working with them, they won’t be excited about working with you  Be appealing to a diversity of youth  Be aware of how youth view your core adult volunteer or staff person Is this someone youth gravitate toward? Is this someone youth gravitate toward?

24 Maintaining Youth & Adult Partnerships Tip Sheets: Youth & Adult Partnerships

25 Activity: Identify three action steps your coalition can take now to move toward more meaningful youth engagement. Identify three action steps your coalition can take now to move toward more meaningful youth engagement.

26 Thanks! Allison Sharer, OCPS II Director of Programs Drug-Free Action Alliance