The Advancing Youth Development program was developed to provide youth workers and administrators with the foundation needed to effectively develop and implement youth-development programs that provide experiences for youth based on a positive youth development approach. During the past year, the AYD Team in NYC conducted 10 sessions for approximately 250 youth development workers, administrators and supervisors. Over 90 percent of the NYC program participants reported an increased awareness of the importance and impact of positive youth development. Most participants indicated that they intend to incorporate these practices into their programs as appropriate.

The importance of youth workers in supporting the positive development of youth and preparing them for success in school, the workforce and society has become increasingly evident. They are viewed as crucial partners along with parents and teachers in helping youth develop the life skills needed to be fully prepared and engaged in society.
The CUCE-NYC Family and Youth Development program is part of a NYS AYD Partnership contracted by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services to train youth workers and administrators in the New York City area in the youth development approach using the Advancing Youth Development curriculum.
While parents and schools play crucial roles in preparing youth for future roles in society, youth serving organizations also play a critical role. New York's public schools graduate 42 percent of African-American and 36 percent of Latino students, compared to 81 percent of their white counterparts. Many students of color attend urban schools that lack the resources and expertise to effectively engage the students in learning.
Youth development organizations and afterschool settings provide an alternative environment through which youth may be motivated to learn and develop a positive sense of themselves based on their interests, the opportunities available, and the skills of the youth workers. Yet many youth workers do not have the skills and understanding of their potential to positively impact youth through their work. Given the need for multiple strategies and approaches to help youth develop the knowledge and skills to be productive, contributing members of society and develop to their full potential, it is of vital importance that youth workers fully understand the value of their work, know the key principles of positive youth development and develop the core competencies of effective youth work.

During the past program year, the Advancing Youth Development (AYD) Team in NYC conducted 10 sessions for approximately 250 youth development workers, administrators and supervisors. The sessions included the revised AYD core three-day training; the BASICS Workshop, a four-hour review of key concepts; the BASICS training of facilitators; and Strengthening Organizations through Youth Development, a full day training that strives to strengthen organizational commitment and practice for positive youth development, and several special workshops.

Over 90 percent of the NYC program participants reported an increased awareness of the importance and impact of positive youth development. Most participants indicated that they intend to incorporate these practices into their programs as appropriate.
A 5-year AYD respective study completed in February 2006 reported that after youth workers participated in AYD, youth are more often celebrated and looked upon as resources, and youth-serving environments have become more welcoming, inclusive, and open to the potential and possibilities that youth bring.
During the past year, there has been growing interest and invitations to provide in-house professional development on positive youth development as a result of the AYD ongoing workshops.

Strengthening skills of youth workers and administrators to effectively support the positive development of youth, our future citizens and workforce.

New York State Office of Children and Families

• Steve Goggin (Cornell University - HDFS)
• Jutta Dotterweich (Cornell University - FLDC)
• Kay Telfer (Cooperative Extension - Broome County)
• Fran Miller (Cornell University - FLDC)
• Eduardo Gonzalez (Cornell Cooperative Ext - NYC)
• Lucinda Randolph-Benjamin (Cornell Cooperative Ext - NYC)