BRIANNA VALESEY AND CARRIE RELF

Keys to Successful and Effective Youth Engagement

Youth Power!

Brianna Valesey, Youth Engagement Consultant

bvalesey@youthpowerny.org

Carrie Relf,Assistant Director

crelf@youthpowerny.org

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 responsibilitiesHelp brainstorm and provide examplesBe supportive and have high expectationsOutline benefits and incentives to

participationTreat youth as equals and experts Assure youth they will have resources and

support they need.

Cultural Competency

Cultural CompetencyLinguistic Competency

Youth Culture

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8OPBFw_kD15VAYlwcThXug

“Youth Culture Shock”

Definition of Youth GuidedYouth-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 referralsCombine 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

Resources

Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets http://www.search-institute.org/content/40-developmental-assets-adolescents-ages-12-18

Circle of Courage https://reclaiming.com/content/aboutcircleofcourage

Youth Involvement in Systems of Care: A Guide to Empowerment Marlene Matarese, M.S.W. Lorrin McGinnis. Martha Mora January, 2005 http://www.tapartnership.org/docs/Youth_Involvement.pdf

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 http://www.childtrends.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/Child_Trends-2008_03_12_PI_CommunityPartner.pdf

Contact information

Brianna Valesey, Youth Engagement Consultantbvalesey@youthpowerny.org

1-518-432-0333 ext. 31

@YOUTHPOWERNY

/YOUTHPOWER.NY

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