how to engage with youth on boards/commissions seren pendleton-knoll youth commission program...
TRANSCRIPT
How to Engage with Youth on
Boards/Commissions
Seren Pendleton-Knoll
Youth Commission Program Coordinator
Youth Development Initiative – a program of StarVista
November 1st, 2011
The County’s Commitment to Engaging Youth
Supervisor Carole Groom
In 1993, the Board of Supervisors established Resolution 57588, which created the San Mateo County Youth Commission.
Role: Advise the Board of Supervisors on issues by including youth on San Mateo County Boards and Commissions.
Mission Statement: The Youth Commission seeks to address issues affecting youth in San Mateo County and close the gap between adult and youth perspectives. The commission increases awareness of and advocates for youth issues by placing youth on boards and commissions, advising the Board of Supervisors, presenting policy recommendations, and creating projects that serve the community.
What is the San Mateo County Youth Commission?
Youth Commission Tracks
Board/Commission
Policy Trackcomposed of 13 youth who work to identify the most
serious problems in the adolescent community and raise the public’s awareness of them
The 2011 Policy Track created an audio documentary, A Temporary Happiness, examining teenage alcohol use in San Mateo County
2011-2013 Policy Track will be working to do the Adolescent Report
Board and Commission Track
Seventeen Youth Commissioners placed on board/commissions/initiatives throughout San Mateo County to bring youth voice into the governing bodies. Each Commissioner is assigned an Adult Ally
Placements for FY 2011-2012
For all of these Boards/Commissions we
need Youth Development to create optimum
engagement
Activity…Four Corners
• Youth can design and lead a commission meeting.
• Youth can advocate for and endorse legislation.
• Youth can organize the community around gang violence.
• Youth can hire and fire staff.
Let’s talk about Youth What do adults say about youth? What does the media show of youth? What does the media say about youth? What does “science” say about youth? What do the laws say about youth?
Youth EnvironmentEnvironment forms the actions!
BBC News – Alcohol Behaviors
The effects of alcohol on behavior are determined by cultural rules and norms, not by the chemical actions of ethanol.
Our beliefs about the effects of alcohol act as self-fulfilling prophecies - if you firmly believe and expect that booze will make you aggressive, then it will do exactly that. In fact, you will be able to get roaring drunk on a non-alcoholic placebo.
What does this mean for youth?
Creating a Common Language:
The 41 Developmental Assets*
• The building blocks that youth need to become “healthy caring adults.”
• The more assets youth have the more likely they are to have positive outcomes (e.g. success in school, valuing diversity self-efficacy, and goals for the future)
• Focuses on the role entire communities can play in the development of young people
*YDI has adopted the Developmental Assets as its guiding theory in advancing the Youth Development Movement
What is Youth Development?Youth Development is the acquisition of
attitudes, competencies and social skills that will carry youth forward into successful
adulthood. –The National Research Council
Long Term Outcomes to Youth Development SuccessThe healthy transition from youth to adulthood
• Skills and knowledge• Higher education• Careers• Healthy relationships• Civic engagement (voting is the least one
can do)• Ability to advocate for themselves and
others• Build community change efforts where
ever they go
Youth Engagement: What does it take?
• Shift in perception of who youth are and what they are capable of
• Unique needs of youth needs must be acknowledged
• Organizational commitment and policies
• Opportunities for youth to participate and take risks
• Sustained involvement
Creating a Common Language:The 41 Developmental Assets
Assets targeted in YDI programs
Community Values Youth
Youth as Resources
Personal Power
Positive View of Personal Future
Self Esteem
Other adult relationships
Stepping Up
Role of a Board/Commissionwith a Youth
Resolution 069276 – Resolution Specifying Standing Rules for County Board, Commissions, and Advisory Committees…..
14. Since 1999, youth members have been appointed to serve on various county boards, commissions, and advisory committees. It is the intention of this board that the youth members have a voting roles on those boards, commissions and advisory committees unless otherwise specified by resolution of this board or otherwise required by law.
Provide opportunities to speak
Check in Question
Report Out1 min for Youth Commission updates1 min for project updates
MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY COMMISSION AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Introductions
3. Acceptance of agenda
4. Approval of Minutes:
5. Program Presentation
6. Standing Committee:
· Committee for Older Adults Services
· Committee for Adult Services
· Committee for Children & Youth Services
7. Youth Commissioner’s Report
8. Director’s Report
9. Old Business
Common Issues
Having a Youth Commissioner represent all youth
Asking a Youth Commissioner to volunteer the entire Youth Commission
Inviting Youth to be or speak at events
Our Request of YouWhen providing recommendations, Resolutions, or
other legislative items, to contact the Youth Commission if it contains matters affecting Youth in the county.
If you would like to present to the Youth Commission, fill out the presentation form and it will be reviewed by the Executive Board.
Stretch Break
As an Adult Ally....
Quick Reminders
Check in before and after meetingsAsk specifics regarding action items
Prepare a report out for Youth Commission Agenda
Liaison to Boards, Commission, and Community Initiative Reports12 minArts Commission – CheeCCAT/Child Abuse Prevention Council - SukkestadCommission on Aging - LamCommission on Disability – TsiplakosCommission on the Status of Women – Anvar/ErskineFirst 5 – Cortez/ChenHIV Board – Amistad/Chien/Yen Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission –
Landeros-GomezMental Health and Substance Abuse Recovery
Commission – Livingston/QuintanillaParks Commission – Sukhovitsky Peninsula Partnership Leadership Council – Amerian/YenPescadero Municipal Advisory Council - MurphyPride Initiative – Amistad/Chien
Report Out Form
Visualization
As a teenager, who was your favorite adult?
What role did they play?
What was it that they said to you?
How did they treat you and interact with you?
Break Out Scenarios - Troubleshooting
My youth doesn’t speak at meetings
I can never get a hold of my youth
My youth is always late to meetings
My youth is taking too much initiative
Project
Dates of noteRough Draft: November 18th, 2011Formal Draft: December 18th, 2011Full project due: April 20th, 2011
The point of the project is to engage the youth in the issues of the Board/Commission
The project is something that they choose!
Ways to help with the project
Provide a list of the Board/Commissions area of interest
But...remember they choose!Remember Hart’s Ladder
Go through and help them to set a timeline
Meet them where they’re at
Common Issues
Treating the Youth like a child
Dictating to the youth what they’ll do
One way relationship
As an Adult Ally, it is your job to speak up when youth development is not being practiced on your Board/Commission
How to get a “thumbs up”
It takes time, they don’t know how to think for themselves at the beginning
Do not say you’ll do something unless you do!
Stay up to date, but be real
Share about yourself
Meet them where they’re at
Comments from a Successful Partnership
Emily Roberts – Adult Ally First 5
Jacqueline Cortez – Youth Commissioner
Sylvia Chen – Youth Commissioner
Questions?
Incentives and Awards!
Nominated by the Youth Commissioners and awarded at the end of the year Showcase
Adult Ally
Board/Commission best exemplifying youth development
Contact Information
For more information about the San Mateo County Youth Commission please contact:
Seren Pendleton-Knoll (Youth Commission Program Coordinator)
(650) 401-8617 ext. 20
The San Mateo County Youth Commission was established in 1993 by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. The YC is coordinated through Youth Development Initiative a Program of Youth and Family Enrichment Services. The YC is supported by the SMC Health Department, Health
Policy & Planning Unit.
Shameless Plug!
• Youth Commission Public Meetings– Every 3rd and 4th Thursday of the month in Redwood City
• San Mateo County Youth Conference– March 17th
Head, Heart, Feet
What did you learn?
What did you feel?
What will you do?