Foundations for the Future: Building an Integrated, Cohesive Field of Youth Development

Abstract

The field of youth development continues to evolve and grow, as many professionals (e.g., social workers, health care workers, public health workers, etc.) have begun to recognize the role youth development plays in their daily work. However, the challenge now is to properly identify the youth development-related work of these professionals, in order to appropriately support and resource the workforce to ensure their success with youth. The current article concludes this special issue on the Youth Development Workforce, with insights from key leaders in the field of youth development on the strengths and challenges that the field will face as it transforms. This article, in combination with the prior articles in this special issue, reflects the current efforts of the youth development workforce that acts as a foundation for the future of the field.

Acquisition of Knowledge and Skills in an Online Graduate Degree in Youth Development Leadership

“…However, organizations often face challenges in providing professional development opportunities to the youth workforce. For example, youth leaders do not uniformly identify as "youth workers" and funding support often does not specify the qualifications needed by youth organizational staff to execute the program (Borden et al, 2020;Borden et al, 2004). Therefore, the best approaches to enhancing staff knowledge and skills is uncertain.…”

“…Therefore, the best approaches to enhancing staff knowledge and skills is uncertain. Helitzer et al (2010) and Millar et al (2001) urge the field to build and draw on logic models which require professional training and focus on identifying the unique work of youth development professionals to prepare and support them as either a driver or complement to professionals trained in one of the helping professions (Borden et al, 2020). Additionally, Borden and Perkins (2006) found in their investigation that the varying availability of educational systems in youth development to provide community professionals with the knowledge and skills essential was central to successfully accomplishing work tasks generating youth impact.…”

“…The youth development field would benefit from academically trained professionals who could serve as leaders in building impactful youth-serving organization to promote youth well-being and preparation for a successful adulthood (Borden et al, 2020). For example, youth leaders who were trained in domains such as positive youth development theories, best practices, staff and volunteer teamwork, and funding streams via grant writing and community collaborations report delivering youth experiences and opportunities in communities that would bolster youth potential and life satisfaction (Garst et al, 2019).…”