Across the state, communities are establishing youth development collaborations by partnering with local planning entities, businesses, churches, non-profit organizations, parents, and youth. The long-term goal of these collaborations are to become the point in the community for developing and coordinating services that will lead to improved results for youth and their families. Youth development planning initiatives serve the following functions:
promote collaboration to improve services, opportunities, and supports for youth,
assess community needs and strengths,
coordinate planning,
coordinate program/funding to meet needs and priorities,
develop a comprehensive, unduplicated service system for youth and their families, and
mobilize community commitment.
This Toolbox provides ideas and resources to assist individuals, agencies, and communities in the organization and ongoing activities related to youth development planning. It offers a variety of tools and resources for communities to use to deal with specific issues that may arise. It provides both a basic overview and identifies resources for additional detailed information and advice. It is not a "recipe book" or set of instructions that prescribes a specific set of ingredients that must be mixed in a specific order. Instead, it is a tool communities can use to plant the seeds of positive youth development.
Positive Youth Development
Adolescent Brain Development
Messaging and Marketing
Youth Involvement
Community Assessment
Sustainability
Evaluation
If you have suggestions for additional topics or resources, please contact us.