The Youth Development Practitioner Institute is your

source for Youth Development Resources such as:

• Youth Development Practice Certificate Program

• Youth Development training tailored to the needs of your organization

• Topical community-wide workshops

• Youth practitioner resource library:

• Curricula • Videos • Journals • Books

• Professionals mentoring network

• Research and evaluation

Youth Development Practice Certificate Program

Using an assets-based and holistic approach, students will learn the framework and principles of youth development as a professional field of practice.

Youth empowerment practice views youth as active partners in youth programming rather than a population to be served. This strategy builds skills and confidence in youth that leads to success in adulthood.

This course will focus on the practical skills needed to develop and manage a youth program including planning, recruitment and retention.

Students will explore a professional ethical code of conduct as well as issues of agency policy, confidentiality and mandated reporting laws.

Effective communication is the basis of positive relationships with youth. Issues of verbal/non-verbal communication, communication with families and the influence of culture will be discussed.

Students will explore different cultures — ethnic, regional, generational, etc. — and will learn ways of integrating a cultural framework into program development.

This course describes a comprehensive approach to case management that takes a holistic view of youth from assessment to referral and follow up.

Students will learn tools and strategies for moving young people toward

their goals, with a focus on college readiness and employability skills.