Spotlight

  • Extra Learning Opportunities

    Spotlighting Positive Youth Development (SPYD) – Defining, Practicing and Promoting SPYD

    Positive Youth Development (PYD) is not a specific program but an approach that can be applied to engage youth.

    Pennsylvania is one of six states selected to participate in the second cohort of Spotlighting Positive Youth Development, a project designed to develop and foster collaborations among local, state and national organizations interested in intentionally integrating Positive Youth Development into policies and programs. The Pennsylvania team came together to provide opportunities for youth and youth professionals to promote quality youth development experiences, and develop a multi-disciplinary team approach to youth development.

    Leadership for the Pennsylvania team is provided by PSAYDN. Our team includes representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of Family Health, Pennsylvania State University 4-H Youth Development, Center for Schools and Communities, Temple Youth Voices University Community Collaborative Project, and the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

    Goals for Spotlighting Positive Youth Development:

    • Increase knowledge and positive attitudes about PYD among key state public and private leaders to inform policy decisions.
    • Expand professional development opportunities to increase knowledge skills, and behaviors about PYD. Target staff of Spotlighting Positive Youth Development PA team member organizations and other network staff connected to the state team.
    • Build youth voice, and youth involvement in the development of organizational and program policy particularly of Pennsylvania Spotlighting Positive Youth Development Team member organizations and the new Governor’s Children’s Cabinet

      • To learn more, download the SPYD Pennsylvania brief here.

    Getting Out the PYD Message to Build Support for Your Program

    There are a number of key audiences that need to hear about your PYD successes and needs:

    • Potential community partners that may fund or collaborate with you to provide quality PYD experiences and resources.
    • Foundations, government or individuals that fund all aspects of your program.
    • Legislators and policymakers that include your local, state and federal elected officials, as well as school district principals and administrators.

      • To strengthen these relationships and help you communicate key PYD points, please download these SPYD Talking Points and incorporate your own stories and experiences when writing or meeting with your supporters, both old and new.

    Join Us on April 14, 2011 for Spotlighting Positive Youth Development: Building Our Youth for the Future Video Conference

    This live video conference will be broadcast among youth professionals and policymakers at eight sites across the state: Allentown, Erie, Harrisburg, Mill Hall (Clinton County), Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.

    The event will offer an opportunity to hear from leaders in the field on the importance of Positive Youth Development and discuss on a local and state level the current status and strategies to increase PYD across all sectors.

    Guest speakers include:
    Logan Hall, 4-H State Council President and freshman at Delaware Valley College, who will share his knowledge and experience of the critical importance of authentic youth voice informing youth development practice and policy.

    Dr. Nicole Webster, Associate Professor at Penn State University’s Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, who will discuss the impact of positive youth development activities for youth and young adults in school and community-based settings.

    The event features local on-site facilitated discussions to increase awareness and constructive attitudes about Positive Youth Development among key state public and private leaders to inform policy decisions and practice on the state and local level.

    Who should attend? Out-of-School Time leadership, direct and non-direct youth workers, educators, elected officials, children and youth, parents, workforce development, public education and faith based leaders are encouraged to attend. To select the location you would like to attend, click here to register.