Youth Development as a Public Health Policy: How to Make it Work Richard E. Kreipe, MD, FAAP, FSAM Professor of Pediatrics University of Rochester Leadership Education in Adolescent Health (LEAH) Project Director 9 th LEAH/SAHRC Teleconference May 21, 2009

Presentation Overview l National Initiative to Improve Adolescent Health (NIIAH) framework l Youth Development: Positive Public Health Policy –Protective factors (intrinsic & extrinsic assets) –Core principles –Essential structures l New York State experience since 2000 –ACT for Youth Center of Excellence –J Public Health Management and Practice Supplement l Lessons learned –Cross-sector, statewide approach –Integration, partnerships including youth –Shared leadership and long-term commitment

04/29/1917–09/25/2005

Improving the Health of Adolescents & Young Adults l Also available at –Healthy Campus 2010: Making It Happen –Healthy People 2010: Reproductive Health –Rural Healthy People 2010: A Companion Document –Healthy People 2010 Companion Document for LGBT Health

National Initiative to Improve Adolescent Health Adolescents & Young Adults Government Agencies Employers Post-Secondary Institutions Media Faith-based Organizations Community Agencies Health Care Providers Schools Parents & Families Brindis, 2007

Youth Development: Beyond Reduction of Risks and Problems l Universal goal: developing competent, confident, capable young people by the use of evidence-based approaches l Promotion of healthy youth development is a deliberate, evidence-based process l Dual strategy of risk reduction and promotion of protective factors through an intentional Youth Development approach holds the greatest promise as a public health policy

Key Protective Factors Against Adversity l Connectedness to parents and family l Connectedness to other adults, organizations l Connectedness to school l Spirituality l Optimism, a sense of possibilities l Are evident across… –Multiple high risk behaviors and threats to health and well-being –Multiple social groups of youth

Positive Youth Development l An intentional, deliberate process of providing support, relationships, experiences, resources and opportunities that promote positive outcomes for young people. l The Five Cs –Capacity –Confidence –Competence –Character –Connection

What’s Health Got To Do With It? Pittman K. Health and Youth Development: Connecting the Dots. Forum Focus 2005 Vol 3, Issue 2. Forum for Youth Investment

National Research Council & IOM. Community Programs to Promote Youth Development. National Academy of Sciences National Academy Press Washington, DC

Key Principles of Youth Development l Positive outcomes l Youth “voice” l Strategies aim to involve all youth l Long-term involvement l Community involvement l Focus on collaboration (National Research Council & IOM. Community Programs to Promote YD. National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC. 2002)

Features of Positive YD Settings l Physical and psychological safety l Appropriate structures l Supportive relationships l Opportunities to belong l Positive social norms l Support for efficacy and mattering l Opportunities for skill building l Integration of family, school & community efforts (National Research Council & IOM. Community Programs to Promote YD. National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC. 2002)

ACT for Youth Website

ACT for Youth Website

November 2006 Supplement Improving Public Health Through Youth Development ournal_supplement.htm

ACT for Youth: A Statewide Approach Can Effect Community Change l Community sectors to create community change l Leadership (“champions”) must be respected by the community and committed to the initiative. l Access for all youth, not only “at-risk” or “high-risk”. l Youth-adult partnerships to plan and implement l Partnerships require ongoing attention and purpose l Vocal cadre of youth active in community policy change l Sustainable community policy change requires time. (Riser, et al. J Public Health Management Practice 2006; Nov S41-S47)

Guidelines for Integrating YD into State Health Department Programs (1 of 2) l Incorporate the principles of YD into program philosophy and design. l Assure that all staff have a common language and understanding of YD. l Provide assistance re: integration and implementation of YD principles in programming. l Challenge applicants to design programs to deliver effective YD prevention interventions. (Riser, et al. J Public Health Management Practice 2006; Nov S41-S47)

Guidelines for Integrating YD into State Health Department Programs (2 of 2) l Encourage programs to offer meaningful opportunities and roles for young people. l Facilitate opportunities for programs to share successful strategies. l Integrate YD into prevention programming, with the support of academic/research institutions. l Include YD outcomes in program evaluation. (Riser, et al. J Public Health Management Practice 2006; Nov S41-S47)

Comprehensive Statewide Approach to Improve Youth Outcomes: Why Does It Work? Shared leadership and common goals l Sustained commitment l Adaptable approaches l YDT members are both stakeholders and decision makers l Organizational relevance l Nonexclusive membership (Carter, et al. J Public Health Management Practice 2006; Nov S32–S40)

Comprehensive Statewide Approach to Improve Youth Outcomes: Lessons Learned l Partner strategically l Define YD l Obtain buy-In l Connect and leverage l Institutionalize YD l Plan and evaluate l Persevere (Carter, et al. J Public Health Management Practice 2006; Nov S32–S40)

Children for Children: Youth Development in ACTion