- Overview of Resources
- Physical and Psychological Safety Resources
- Supportive Relationships Resources
- Opportunities to Belong Resources
- Positive Social Norms Resources
- Appropriate Structure Resources
- Support for Efficacy and Mattering Resources
- Opportunities for Skill Building Resources
- Integration of Family, School, and Community Efforts Resources
- Printable Resources
A good overview of the concepts, research, theories, etc. regarding Integration of Family, School, and Community can be found in REACH's Positive Youth Development modules.
Why is this important?
Resource 1: Family Involvement
Involving parents is mutually beneficial for youth programs and families. Parents can provide valuable feedback on improving program quality and increase youth attendance at and engagement in youth programs. In return, programs that incorporate parent volunteers can offer a safe space for parents to get closer to their children, which improves parent-child relationships and leads to positive youth development.
This article provides an overview of parent involvement and the benefits and barriers associated with youth programs. Action-steps for youth programs to encourage and sustain family engagement are listed.
Programs could:
- Survey families to learn more about their needs and topics of interest
- Hold meetings, program events, etc. at night or on weekends to increase attendance of parents who work
- Offer incentives for parents to participate, such as transportation vouchers and child care, so they do not have to make additional arrangements
- Provide on-site translators or youth program staff who are of the same race or ethnicity as the participants
Resource 2: Community Partnership
A review of a decade of research has shown that establishing partnership with communities is a critical component in youth program success. Collaborating with communities can improve youth program recruitment and attendance, provide access to a wide pool of monetary or in-kind resources, and increase youth's social responsibility.
This article provides an overview of community involvement, the benefits youth programs can derive from this partnership, and strategies for identifying and leveraging valuable community resources.
Programs could:
- Reach out to businesses for physical and financial resources, and remember to publicize their support.
- Find colleges and universities for student volunteers to engage with youth, and develop a set of expectations for the college students as well as preparing a list of benefits for them to participate in the program.
- Leverage other youth service providers in the community by sharing resources and exchanging referrals.
Building Community Partnerships: Tips for Out-of-School Time Programs (Article, Child Trends)
Resource 3: Youth Academic Achievement
Partnership between youth programs, schools, and the community can improve social and academic outcomes for youth. Youth gain access to community resources and an assortment of enriching and diverse learning opportunities. In addition, youth programs benefit from the resources and expertise offered by schools.
This report details the benefits of partnerships for learning to youth, schools, and out-of-school time programs.
Programs could:
- Hire staff who can work in both the youth program and school settings to increase presence of the partnership in the school.
- Develop partnerships at multiple levels within the school and district; for example, build relationships with classroom teachers, non-teaching staff, and district staff.
How can I help my staff in this area?
Resource 1: Importance of Sharing
A key strategy to successful collaboration is the sharing of vision, leadership, and information about youth progress among the partners. Having common goals, equal opportunity to govern, and consistent share of data can minimize conflicts and collectively focus on promoting positive youth development.
Although this resource is not specific to youth programs, it details the key elements of successful partnerships for supporting children's learning and provides a guideline for implementing the key elements.
Managers could:
- Create a set of values that encompasses the shared vision with every partner and be mindful of the cultural and racial background of the partner organizations.
- Model collaborative governance by letting go of control and share responsibility with youth program staff.
- Help youth program staff to effectively share information about youth and to develop a system for data-sharing among the partners.
Resources 2: Communication, Involvement, and Opportunities
Quality youth programs should have consistent communication with parents regarding community opportunities and ways to get involved. Understanding that families and communities are assets and partners, youth program staff can effectively foster healthy development of youth.
This evaluation form has indicators and performance levels for program quality for parents, family, and community partnerships in youth programs. It has detailed explanation for each performance level under all indicators, as well as a space to list out plans for improvement in specific areas.
Managers could:
- Brainstorm ideas on how to involve families in advocacy efforts and program events with youth program staff
- Develop adult educational workshops in partnership with community institutions with youth program staff
- Help youth program staff become aware of community resources and events to share with the family of youth participants
Parent, Family, & Community Partnerships (Evaluation Form, New York State Network for Youth Success)
Resource 3: Partnership with Schools
From choosing a school where most of the youth attend to developing a curriculum that reinforces education enrichment, there are many steps involved to establish and maintain a partnership with schools.
This resource offers 15 activities to improve partnerships between schools, after-school youth programs, and families. Every activity has step-by-step action plans including helpful tips for youth program director and staff to form positive relationships with the schools.
Managers could:
- Encourage youth program staff to produce student portfolios in collaboration with the school teacher and their family members to understand each student's needs
- Develop professional development workshops for youth program staff in learning and academic areas
- Brainstorm activities with youth program staff to supplement students' learning at school
How can my staff help youth in this area?
Resource 1: Civic Engagement and Service
Encouraging youth to become active partners in their community can promote partnership. By collaborating with family and community members, service projects can be initiated based on issues raised in community forums.
On pages 27 and 28 of this paper (Effective Community Partnerships), there are real-life examples of 4-H programs that collaborated with communities and families to encourage youth to become active partners in their community. Specific service activities include cleaning illegal dump sites, planting gardens, etc.
Staff could:
- Brainstorm with youth in identifying local issues and developing strategies to address those issues.
- Support youth in reaching out to community members and their friends and family for collaboration on community projects.
Resource 2: Parent Engagement Strategies
Another way of encouraging partnerships is by organizing events at the youth program for parents, youth, and community partners to come together, which would build youth's social capital. Youth programs can also partner with school staff to visit parents in their homes to teach them how to help their student succeed in academics.
This brief provides information on different types of parent engagement strategies and identifies the strengths and weaknesses for each.
Staff could:
- Support youth in inviting and encouraging their parents to volunteer at youth program events.
- Provide youth with strategies and activities to engage with their parents and strengthen the bond.
Engaging Parents in a Community Youth Development Initiative (Brief, REACH)