Positive Youth Development:A Strength-Based Approach to

Youth Work

Dr. Bob BarcelonaClemson University

HEHD 800

January 21, 2012

“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family, call it a neighborhood, whatever you call

it, whoever you are…you need one.”

~ Jane Howard, anthropologist

Our Goals…• Talk about strength-based

frameworks and approaches to youth development

• Create a common language about youth work

• Move beyond programs and think about “youth development systems”

Do We Need Better Programs? Or…

Do We Need Better Systems?

YES!

Developmental Systems• Social Ecological Theory• Development is a function of

the interaction between settings and individuals in a variety of contexts

• Development occurs through interactions both within and across contexts

• Positive development occurs when there is a proper “fit” between the individual and environment

Bronfenbrenner (1977)

What Often Exists Now...Fragmented Organizations• Fragmented service delivery• Lack comprehensive strategy

for youth• Bias toward intervention

rather than development• Duplication of services and

inefficiency esp. in the public sector

• Lack of investment in youth development workforce

Fragmented Resources• Government funding• Fees and charges• Financial donations• Grants and foundations• In-kind donations• Volunteerism• “Patchwork”

The Scenario 21st CCLC-funded program to provide free afterschool enrichment

programming for a local Title I middle school Some Enrichment Programs offered: Tae kwon do, karate, poetry

writing, chess, quilting, crafts, ceramics, intramural soccer, painting, stamp art, calligraphy, taking care of animals, acting, hip-hop dance, scrap booking, intramural basketball, cartooning, cooking, model rocketry

Academic Programs Offered: homework assistance, academic tutoring, alignment of enrichment programs with school day priorities

Sustainability is a major issue – grant discontinued after year 4 Approximately 400 kids served by the program no longer have access

to affordable school-based afterschool care

Dover (NH) Kids Cabinet• To coordinate community resources and agency activities to improve the

health, education, and recreational opportunities for children, youth, and adolescents in the Dover community.

• To promote collaboration between youth supporting programs and agencies in the Dover community.

• To facilitate the participation of all Dover families and community members in a positive youth development agenda for children, youth, and adolescents in the Dover community.

• To provide leadership and advocacy for comprehensive and efficient services for children, youth, and adolescents in the Dover community.

• To provide leadership on issues involving sustainability for programs serving children, youth, and adolescents in the Dover community.

Dover (NH) Kids Cabinet• To coordinate community resources and agency activities to improve the

health, education, and recreational opportunities for children, youth, and adolescents in the Dover community.

• To promote collaboration between youth supporting programs and agencies in the Dover community.

• To facilitate the participation of all Dover families and community members in a positive youth development agenda for children, youth, and adolescents in the Dover community.

• To provide leadership and advocacy for comprehensive and efficient services for children, youth, and adolescents in the Dover community.

• To provide leadership on issues involving sustainability for programs serving children, youth, and adolescents in the Dover community.

NH TAP Coalitions• Youth, parents, school personnel, faith-based community, youth and

family serving agencies, law enforcement, community leaders, local businesses, counselors, health care professionals, youth workers, prevention specialists, policy makers, others interested in supporting youth

• The coalitions:– Helped to identify the need for the TAP– Developed and customized survey items – Supported its implementation in local community schools– Helped to disseminate and share data (forums, media, newsletters)– Developed goals, strategies, and action plans to address youth issues

Educational Institutions

Community & Faith-Based

Organizations

Government & Social Services

Families & Neighborhoods

Professional Development

Capacity Building & Best Practices

Research & Evaluation

Community Youth Development

The Idea…

To foster alliances at the state, regional and local level that benefit youth, families, organizations, and communities, and

to provide education and professional development, research and evaluation capacity, and state of the art information to support the health and well-being of all

youth in South Carolina

Shift in Thinking• While PYD has appeal it is still not

the dominant paradigm• Some criticisms:

– Definitional issues of what constitutes PYD program (i.e. working with youth vs. positive youth development work)

– Lack of appeal to funders– Small (but growing) base of

research and theory

TIEGAME

X OX OO O

XX

X

What We’ve Been Doing in Youth

Work…

What We Need to Do in Youth

Work…