Supporting Youth And Young Adults To Become Partners Information from 2015 NTACT Presentation Michael Stoehr – Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network Dr Joan Kester – George Washington University Dr. Josie Badger – RAISE Center

The National Resources for Access, Independence, Self-determination And Employment (RAISE) and 7 RSA-funded Parent Training And Information Centers are helping youth and young adults with disabilities to be real partners in attaining the education, supports and services they need to achieve competitive employment, independent living and empowerment. www.raisecenter.org

Youth Engagement Continuum Youth Services Approach Youth Development Youth Leadership Core Principles for Engaging Young People in Community Change, Forum for Youth Investment, http://www.forumfyi.org/files/FINALYouth_Engagment_8.15pdf.pdf Intervention (For Youth) Development (With Youth) Empowerment (By Youth)

Topics Organizational Programmatic Youth Role Services From service side General Topics Attending   Youth as an after thought Lecture and Resources/Handouts Engagement T = Training and Activity Topics O = Organizational Components P = Programmatic Components Y = Youth Role

Youth Development Youth development Leading Thriving Learning Working Connecting NCWD/Youth has adopted the following working definition of youth development adapted from NYEC and National Collaboration for Youth: youth development is a process which prepares young people to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood through a coordinated, progressive series of activities and experiences which help them to become socially, morally, emotionally, physically, and cognitively competent. Ferber, Pittman and Marshall (2002) Learning – developing positive basic and applied academic attitudes Thriving – developing physically healthy attitudes, skills, and behaviors Connecting – developing positive social attitudes, skills, and behaviors Working – developing positive vocational attitudes, skills, and behaviors Leading – developing positive civic attitudes, skills, and behaviors Youth development A process which prepares young people to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood through a coordinated, progressive series of activities and experiences which help them to become socially, morally, emotionally, physically, and cognitively competent.

Youth Development Programs Topics Organizational Programmatic Youth Role Decision-making Clear mission and goals Focus on each young person’s individual needs, assets, and interests Youth involvement in developing and implementing activities Identity   Staff are trained, professional, supportive, committed, to youth Hands-on experiential and varied activities Personal responsibility Relationships Safe and structured environment Mentoring/role models Opportunities to try new roles and for success Connections to community and other youth-serving organizations Family involvement and support Opportunities for youth to develop self-awareness, identity, and values The Konopka Institute (2000) Eccles & Gootman, 2002; Roth & Brooks-Gunn, 2003

Youth Leadership Leading Thriving Learning Working Connecting NCWD/Youth has chosen to adopt a two-part working definition of youth leadership, as follows: youth leadership is (1) “The ability to guide or direct others on a course of action, influence the opinion and behavior of other people, and show the way by going in advance” (Wehmeyer, Agran, & Hughes, 1998); and (2) “the ability to analyze one's own strengths and weaknesses, set personal and vocational goals, and have the self-esteem to carry them out. Wehmeyer, Agran, & Hughes, 1998 Youth leadership includes intrinsic and extrinsic leadership skills

Youth Leadership Programs Topics Organizational Programmatic Youth Role Awareness, understanding and tolerance of other people   Youth involvement at all levels including administration and the Board of Directors Hands-on involvement at all programmatic levels such as planning, budgeting, implementing, and evaluating programs Varied, progressive leadership roles for youth: small group, large group, event, program The history, values, and beliefs of communities and cultures Multiple opportunities to develop and practice leadership skills Experiential learning and opportunities for genuine leadership Leadership styles Service to others in the community, country, and world Woyach, 1996

Leadership Who would you identify as a leader? Why? How would you define leadership? Leadership in youth? Leadership for youth with disabilities? NCWD/Youth’s definition of youth leadership- (1) “The ability to guide or direct others on a course of action, influence the opinion and behavior of other people, and show the way by going in advance” (Wehmeyer, Agran, & Hughes, 1998); and (2) “the ability to analyze one's own strengths and weaknesses, set personal and vocational goals, and have the self-esteem to carry them out.

Identifying a Youth Leader Attendance Engagement (Willing to try things or answer questions) and Commitment Passion Volunteers Interacts and willing to help

How do you get a youth to move from engagement to leadership?

Program Sustainability Continuous feed of new youth Ongoing leadership transition/training Promote individual ownership of aspects of the program Delegate tasks to as many people as you can handle Don’t rely on one funder Use resources wisely Communicate

What was the time that you felt you did not fit in to a group or feel prepared to contribute?

Role of the Adult Allies

ADULT ALLIES – A CHANGE IN MINDSET The Drivers The Supporters I Teach You We Learn Together “I will just do it.” “You can do it. I am here to help!”

Adult Allies – Ideal Characteristics Supports idea exploration Encourage Genuine Interest in Young People Logistics Connections, Background Knowledge

Partnerships A young person should see an adult ally as a person who “always has their back”, but also knows when to “back off” so that the young person believes they can do anything!

Resources to Help Build Family & Youth Engagement

The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability (NCWD/Youth) http://www.ncwd-youth.info The 411 on Disability Disclosure: A Workbook for Youth with Disabilities Center for Self Determination Literature & Resources Training Information http://www.centerforself-determination.com/

University of Oklahoma - Zarrow Center http://www.ou.edu/zarrow AIR Self-Determination Assessments ARC Self-Determination Scale Choice Maker Self-Determination Assessment Field and Hoffman Self-Determination Assessment Battery Student led IEP- Instructional modules

PA’s Secondary Transition Website www.secondarytransition.org

www.imdetermined.org Student Involvement in the IEP Assessments & Checklists for students, parents, educators Family Support Videos, Literature & Resources

References Core Principles for Engaging: Young People in Community Change, Forum for Youth Investment, http://www.forumfyi.org/files/FINALYouth_Engagment_8.15pdf.pdf Edelman, A., Gill, P., Comerford, K., Larson, M., & Hare, R. (2004, June). Youth development and youth leadership: A background paper. Washington, DC: Institute for Educational Leadership, National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth. Ferber, T., Pittman, K., & Marshall, T. (2002). State youth policy: Helping all youth to grow up fully prepared and fully engaged. Washington, DC: The Forum for Youth Investment. Nishioka, V., & Bullis, M. (2002). Job-related social skills training. Vocational and Nurturing Youth Leadership In The Global South: A Mapping Of Strategies, Approaches, Challenges And Opportunities. (n.d.). Restless Development. http://restlessdevelopment.org/file/resdev-youth-leadership-mapping-pdf Wehmeyer, M. L., Agran, M., & Hughes, C. (1998). Teaching self-determination to students with disabilities: Basic skills for successful transition. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes. Wehmeyer, Michael L., and Palmer, Susan B. (2003). Adult Outcomes for Students with Cognitive Disabilities Three-Years After High School: The Impact of Self-Determination.Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities. 38(2), 131–144. Woyach, R. B. (1996, Spring). Five principles for effective youth leadership development programs. Retrieved May 25, 2005, from http://leadershipcenter.osu.edu/Publications/L_Link/LL_1996/spr_96.pdf