Engaging Youth to Create Change Youth Engagement in Nutrition & Physical Activity Project Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Obesity Prevention Program in the Bureau of Community Health and Wellness Supported by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of US Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) Presented by Rusty McCarty, CustomED March 2, 2016 DHSS and LPHA Public Health Conference 3/2/2016Engaging Youth to Create Change1
Agenda March 2, 2016 Understanding Youth Youth-led Approach Working with Youth Engaging Youth Empowering Youth Skills to Empower Youth Developing Advocacy Application Reflection Follow-up 3/2/2016Engaging Youth to Create Change2
Understanding Youth Icebreaker Activity: Responding to Labels How are we different that the youth of today? Generational differences Baby BoomersGeneration XGeneration YMillenials Gen Z Our experiences are different We have different approaches to work, rewards, family What motivates youth? What is important to youth? 3/2/2016Engaging Youth to Create Change3
Youth-led Approach Approaches to empower youth Youth opinions are solicited, respected and applied Youth identify their own issues, problems, and solutions Youth initiate project ideas, carry out planning, and goal setting Youth drive the process and are involved in all stages of decision making Youth teach each other 3/2/2016Engaging Youth to Create Change4
Working with Youth Working with Youth Use Youth-led approach Communicate with (not to) youth Empower them to develop a solution Positive feedback Recognize success Learn from the youth Let them lead 3/2/2016Engaging Youth to Create Change5
Engaging Youth Youth engagement = providing the opportunity for youth to gain the ability and authority to make decisions that help improve the policy environment and change social norms in their communities Building your youth team Activity: Building Bridges Recruiting youth and youth leaders Identify youth leaders by Working with schools Organizations both in-school & out-of-school Retaining youth Listen Rewards The impact of their work 3/2/2016Engaging Youth to Create Change6
Empowering Youth Youth empowerment = an attitudinal, structural, and cultural process through which young people gain the ability, authority, and agency to make decisions and implement change in their own lives and the lives of others. Enable youth to identify community issues Youth gain ability and authority to make decisions Empowering youth to implement change Communications Activity: Recreate Making change 3/2/2016Engaging Youth to Create Change7
Skills to Empowering Youth Making change What skills do youth need to help them engage in healthy eating and increased physical fitness? What skills do youth need to advocate in schools and the community to make changes around health and wellness? 3/2/2016Engaging Youth to Create Change8
Developing Advocacy Advocacy = a community-based strategy of education, communication, and leadership skills used for persuading others about a point of view. Teamwork & Action Activity: Duck Launch Identifying change ― specific change they want to make Overcoming problems and challenges Action Plan Resources/Support Action Follow-up 3/2/2016Engaging Youth to Create Change9
Application Where do you go from here with this training? How might you apply what you learned today to your work/projects? How will you apply what you learned here today? Application Plan: 3/2/2016Engaging Youth to Create Change10
Reflection Time Feedback 3/2/2016Engaging Youth to Create Change11
Follow-up Please complete the survey before you leave. Thank you! 3/2/2016Engaging Youth to Create Change12