Positive youth development is an approach to youth programs that emphasizes the strengths of youth while considering their physical, mental, and social well-being.
Learn MoreSupportive adult-youth relationships are an important component of youth programs and critical for those programs that want to create a welcoming and safe environment.
Learn MorePrograms and activities should provide youth with opportunities to affirm their sense of self, identify with others that are similar and different to themselves, and take action.
Learn MoreStaff need to understand themselves to overcome any unconscious biases that work against an open and welcoming youth program.
Learn MoreA program and environment where youth feel welcome and safe is intentionally structured to support positive peer relationships, foster cooperation between youth, involve youth on multiple levels, and create and expand opportunities for youth leadership.
Learn MoreYouth programs that are welcoming and safe must be built on a groundwork of rules, systems, and language aimed at protecting and empowering all young people.
Learn MoreYouth programs that are welcoming and safe must be built on a groundwork of rules, systems, and language aimed at protecting and empowering all young people.
Learn MoreProfessional development gives program staff the time they need to learn and practice skills.
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Youth Inclusion Training MaterialsThe Youth Inclusion Training Materials provide information and strategies to help youth program managers and staff make their programs more inclusive. There are two parts to the materials. The first is directed toward program managers and includes background on eight topics. This background content is intended to help the youth program manager understand why an inclusive program is important and how to support all youth in their program through positive youth development practices. The second section of the training materials are workshop guides for the youth program manager to use with their program staff. The program manager should conduct the activities as part of regular professional development in the program; perhaps, over a lunch break, in the evenings, or whenever it makes the most sense. |
Workshop OverviewWorkshops are related to various topics in the Youth Inclusion Training and are intended to be used by youth program managers or training staff to introduce the concepts to program staff. The workshops could be delivered over a series of lunch seminars where a manager leads an activity each week, during a quiet programming season, or over a training weekend. However it is done, the Workshops are a set of strategies intended to help staff understand the importance of helping youth to feel welcome and safe within the program. |