Youth Development Archives | Page 2 of 62

Permanency-without-connection-fails-foster-youth-True-support-means-lasting-relationships_feature: young white girl with black mom smiling at eachother on the couch

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Opinion

Permanency without connection fails foster youth. True support means lasting relationships.

Foster youth need relational permanency — lasting, supportive relationships into adulthood.

Childcare: several young children stand in a line with arms around each others shoulders

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Opinion

Entering the life space of the child: Frank Fecser’s legacy in action

Re-EDucation is a systematic, relational, ecological approach to working with children with mental/behavioral challenges.

Five shifts that would change everything_feature: black teenage girl speaks with black female adult

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Opinion

Five shifts that would change everything

A podcast discusses five concrete changes that can be made in any youth development setting.

Workforce readiness should start before college_feature: young female mentor helping high school student one-on-one

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From the Field

Workforce readiness should start before college

Workforce readiness must start in high school with paid opportunities, responsibilities, and cross-sector partnerships.

learning environments What John King's teachers were actually doing_feature: group of students listens to black male teacher outdoors teaching them about plants

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Opinion

What John King’s teachers were actually doing

Helping youth thrive is about designing learning environments that prioritize consistency, challenge, and agency.

Structure, control and leaving room, youth environments _feature: image of clay pot spinning on record player

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Opinion

Structure, control and leaving room

Youth practitioners play a critical role in shaping youth environments by establishing norms, safety, and a larger vision — not by controlling...

positive youth development, sparks, environmental education grants: black boy using magnifying glass to study among plants while Asian girl takes notes

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From the Field

On sparks and social capital

Katherine Plog Martinez speaks with Erica Van Steenis on how sparks — deep interests, qualities, or talents — are central to positive...

Youth dance builds the skills young people need_I credit dance with my pursuit of medicine_feature: group of children dancing on stage, some with arm raised and finger pointing up

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From the Field

Dance builds the skills young people need. I credit dance with my pursuit of medicine.

If we want young people to relish the joy of learning and grow into capable, compassionate adults, youth dance deserves its place...

Childcare, early care, OST: Group young children holding hands while running towards camera across green grass with trees in background

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From the Field

Beyond fragmentation: Advancing continuity of care and cumulative opportunities in OST

OST can move from a patchwork of programs to a cohesive ecosystem boosting equity and learning; becoming a vital part of the...

AI in schools: person on laptop while also using AI chatbot on smartphone

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From the Field

Flourishing in the Age of AI: Q&A with Courtney Garcia of LearnerStudio

Merita Irby speaks with LearnerStudio's Courtney Garcia about a new anthology exploring what it means for young people to flourish in the...

On developmental relationships _feature: black coach or mentor and white male student sit on bleachers and talk

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From the Field

On developmental relationships

Katherine Plog Martinez speaks with Gene Roehlkepartain on how strong developmental relationships are the "active ingredient" in successful youth programs.

Joy, partnership and play create belonging and increase attendance_feature: recess, group of very happy children playing game with yellow ball

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From the Field

Joy, partnership and play create belonging and increase attendance

We must ensure kids are experiencing high-quality recess and a school climate that makes them want to attend every day.

QA_ Karen Pittman _2026 NEA Foundation’s Outstanding Service Public Education Award_older black woman stand at podium with hands clasped in front of her

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From the Field

Q&A with Karen Pittman, 2026 recipient of the NEA Foundation’s Outstanding Service to Public Education Award

Youth Today's Karen Pittman, often referred to as the godmother of positive youth development, received the award on February 13.

Look inside_What MCA taught us about gratitude, growth and growing up_Pass the Mic 4_feature: black and white image of three youths sitting on curb

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Opinion

Look inside: What MCA taught us about gratitude, growth and growing up

MCA’s legacy, when seen through a developmental lens, offers a clear example of how gratitude can emerge alongside maturity, identity and purpose.

Why agency, voice and coherence is the work_feature: group of diverse youth smiling

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Opinion

Why agency, voice and coherence is the work: Supporting social, emotional and academic well-being and thriving in challenging times and contexts

From a developmental perspective, coherence is not something young people are told they are part of; it is something they feel.

The overlooked link between literacy, STEM and student success_feature: Little children with microscope studying Chemistry in science classroom

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From the Field

The overlooked link between literacy, STEM and student success

For decades, schools across the country have invested heavily in literacy reform. New curricula, mandates and funding have reshaped classrooms, yet reading...

On youth program quality_feature2: group of young children learning excitedly around table

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From the Field

On program quality

Katherine Plog Martinez speaks with Thomas Akiva on how youth-serving organizations can ensure youth program quality by recognizing three key developments.

Coaching not correction_The shift youth serving systems need to build real leaders_feature: male educator/mentor helping two girls with STEM project

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From the Field

Coaching, not correction: The shift youth-serving systems need to build real leaders

You can’t correct a kid into leadership. Adolescents develop youth leadership through environments that support autonomy, belonging and skill-building.

From systems leadership to learning ecosystems stewardship_feature: group of kids watch an educator giving a presentation outside

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Opinion

From systems leadership to ecosystems stewardship: A next step for OST intermediaries?

The benefits of comprehensive learning ecosystems are vast, but a vital part of maintaining and stewarding them will fall on OST programs/intermediaries.