| PROGRAMS & INITIATIVES |
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| Positive Youth Development |
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Goal
The goal of Oregon’s Positive Youth Development initiative is to help all young people reach their full potential through meaningful opportunities provided at every stage of development.
What is Positive Youth Development?
Youth development is defined as the ongoing process in which all young people are engaged and invested. Through Positive Youth Development (PYD), young people attempt to meet their basic physical and social needs and to build the competencies necessary to succeed in adolescence and adulthood.
The PYD approach suggests that helping all young people achieve their full potential is the best way to prevent them from becoming involved in risky behavior. Youth development strategies focus on giving young people the chance to build skills, exercise leadership, form relationships with caring adults and help their communities. The youth development approach acknowledges both that youth are resources in rebuilding communities and that helping young people requires strengthening families and communities.
OCCF's Role in Positive Youth Development
The Oregon Commission on Children and Families, in collaboration with state and local partners, works to promote a Positive Youth Development approach in a variety of settings, including youth service agencies, government, businesses and communities.
Oregon is one of nine states to receive a second five-year Positive Youth Development State and Local Collaboration Demonstration Project award from the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The purpose of the grant is to build relationships with community organizations, local governmental agencies, non-profits, schools, and young people to increase opportunities for youth to use their time in positive ways through education, employment, community service or civic engagement, organized sports, arts, etc. Oregon’s Positive Youth Development Collaboration also coordinates a statewide effort to incorporate youth development practices into all levels of public and private policy making and program implementation. The Oregon Commission on Children and Families serves as the lead agency for this project.
For information contact:
ConnieCarley
Positive Youth Development State Coordinator
(503) 378-5096
connie.carley(at)state.or.us
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