Defines youth development programs and reviews the program evaluation literature. Discusses (1) positive-behavior focused competency/asset enhancing programs, (2) problem-behavior focused competency/asset enhancing programs, and (3) resistance skills-based prevention programs. Includes an appendix of detailed summaries of 15 program evaluations.…

Introduces concept of Community Youth Development, the purpose of which is to help communities respond to youth violence; reviews community efforts to respond to youth violence; describes history of community youth development; discusses positive youth-development building blocks; provides four-part definition of community youth development;…

Discusses service-learning programs, focusing on school-based programs that give students the opportunity to apply academic and nonacademic skills to real-life situations. Outlines some keys to effective programs, illustrated by the experiences of a charter school in Hoboken, New Jersey. (SLD)

Profiles programs that provide academic and behavioral interventions, expectations, and support for children and youth, equipping them with the educational and social skills they need to be successful in the least restrictive environment. Describes Project ACHIEVE, The Bertha Abess Children's Center, Inc., and the Rhode Island Training Schools.…

Draws parallels between the processes outlined in a British government green paper and the processes of experiential learning and community development in a preparation program for community and youth workers. The value of using experience as a basis for learning and the importance of reflection to turn experience into learning were highlighted.…

Describes seven life skills identified by the 4-H program as being essential for productive and happy lives: creative thinking, decision making, acquiring knowledge, responsibility, communication, understanding of self, and getting along with others. Suggests how camp staff can develop program goals and outcomes for teaching these skills. (SAS)

Describes the evolution of a primary, community-based drug prevention program and the challenges associated with becoming established within a particular community. Addresses the use of consortium to implement program goals and objectives; parental involvement and home visitation; developing and maintaining a positive relationship with the host…

Participation and competition in some sports are associated with lower stages of moral reasoning. Coaches can foster moral development by starting with the right mental model, holding benchmark meetings about team values, setting goals for physical and character skills, making time for guided discussion sessions, building community, modeling…

Article discusses two questions: (1) What are the differences among runaway-homeless, throwaway, and independent youth? (2) What youth demographics, personal characteristics, and family factors predict youth's reunification? Among runaway-homeless youths, family characteristics were most important for reunification; among throwaway youths, problem…

This article describes a photo essay contest of high school students in the Turning Point Program located in Ithaca, New York. The theme of the contest was "communicating what it means to have an emotional disability." The goals were to help raise awareness in the community, in the school, and in individual students about what it means…

This research study collected data on environmental literacy and was used among Florida 4-H youth participating in nonformal environmental education activities as part of their 4-H experience. Using "The Middle School Environmental Literacy Instrument" 4-H participants were tested on several variables, which appear to be important…

Youth development programs are designed to ensure that young people experience healthy development, success in school, and smooth transitions to adulthood. However, ensuring that adolescents participate in these programs is a continual challenge, especially as they age. Exploring key issues related to recruiting and retaining involvement in youth…

Based on an interview with Dr. PeiYao Chen, a research analyst with Girls Incorporated, this article explores how the "Girls Study Girls Inc." participatory research project was conducted, what it meant for those involved, and what other programs can learn from it.

A review of over 50 studies of afterschool programs conducted by The Afterschool Alliance suggests: (1) quality afterschool programs improved school attendance, engagement in learning, test scores, and grades; (2) frequency and duration of afterschool participation increases benefits; and (3) high-risk youth show the greatest benefits. This fact…

Scientists call the land along the edges of a river, stream, or lake a riparian zone. In this guide, riparian zone will be called the Green Zone. Riparian zones make up only a small part of land in the United States. But they are very important. They protect water quality and quantity, supply food and shelter for fish and wildlife, and provide…