UMass Extension Public IssuesYouth Development and EngagementSummary/DescriptionAmericans are concerned about preparing youth for the challenges of the 21st century. While this concern has recently focused on standardized tests, academic achievement is only one component of preparation for citizenship and workforce participation. Young people also need to develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes for good health, environmental stewardship, creative expression, and community service. Young people are best able to achieve these outcomes in environments that offer safety, caring adults, and opportunities for authentic experience. Both in-school and out-of-school time programs must do more to provide optimum conditions for youth development. Educators and youth workers need ongoing professional development and curriculum resources for experiential learning and youth development best practices. Interested community adults need well-designed opportunities to share their expertise and passions with youth. Older youth are also a largely untapped resource for their communities and deserve opportunities to contribute in ways that will enable them to grow up to become better citizens, workers, neighbors, and parents. Situation & PrioritiesPositive youth development experiences are connected to decreases in negative behaviors such as alcohol use, tobacco use and violence, and increases in positive attitudes and behaviors. According to a report commissioned by the Nellie Mae Education Foundation (2004), youth who participated in programming during the afterschool hours exhibited a greater interest in learning and achieved higher academic performance. The report also stated that programming did not have to be school-based. It could be of any format, such as 4-H clubs, community groups, Boys & Girls Clubs, etc., as long as programs were well-run, of high quality and actively involved youth participants. Youth development programs can approach enhancing youth experiences in a variety of ways including mentoring, academic achievement-oriented programs and civic engagement. For any approach to be effective, it must be grounded in positive youth development principles. These principles suggest that all youth must have a combination of the following: access to resources that promote optimal physical and mental health; nurturing relationships with adults and positive relationships with peers; safe places for living, learning and working; educational and economic opportunity; and structured activities and the opportunity for community service and civic participation (MA Department of Public Health, 2003). According to a National report entitled Eight Essential Elements for 4-H, (1999) effective youth programs must also ensure inclusive environments for all youth, as well as opportunities for mastery and active participation in determining one's future. UMass Extension includes both university-based and community-based program elements as a means to strengthen the university’s outreach to youth with the following program emphases:
- Life Skills - From communication skills to recordkeeping, from teamwork to valuing diversity, Massachusetts youth need a wide variety of life skills to grow into competent, caring, capable, engaged, and well-informed citizens prepared to work and live in the 21st century. Through community service, a Massachusetts 4-H program emphasis area, youth will become better engaged citizens. This civic engagement offers youth the opportunity to view life in a different way and better understand the skill set that is needed to enable them to become our future leaders. UMass Extension has been working in the area of youth development for over 100 years. Staff have demonstrated that they have the knowledge and skills to work effectively with adults who work or volunteer with youth. They understand youth development best practices. They are members of various collaborations, many in urban communities. They are beginning to build a presence on the UMass campus. With the current level of staffing, however, and the realization that additional staffing may not be forthcoming, training other adults who work or volunteer in the field is a key strategy.
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math - An area of great need that has been identified by the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, National 4-H Council, and UMass Extension 4-H is in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education (STEM) and its impact on preparing a globally competitive workforce. Through its extensive volunteer and Extension staff network throughout the state, the Massachusetts 4-H Program is uniquely positioned in Massachusetts to assist in delivering quality educational STEM programs in out-of-school time settings. National 4-H’s Curriculum System provide a rich and diverse set of juried research, curricula and evaluative methodologies developed by faculty throughout the national CSREES system. Hands-on, real world experiences delivered in both informal and formal settings are appealing to many parents and youth and have a proven track record in promoting self-efficacy, community awareness and responsibility in youth participating in its programs.
- Animal Science - Animal science activities account for approximately 75% of the entire 4-H program in Massachusetts, engaging over 2,250 youth annually. 4-H youth who participate in animal projects are often asked to represent the state at national conferences, and many win awards. Building upon the strength of our existing programs, the Massachusetts 4-H Animal Science Program is also expanding into urban areas in an effort to increase the involvement of urban youth in the study of animal science.
- Environmental Science and Stewardship - The concept of scientific stewardship of natural resources is at the heart of the land grant mission, and youth programs have always played a part in this outreach. Currently, our major environmental science and stewardship efforts are the Massachusetts Envirothon/CNRE collaboration and the Beachcomber trailer. Results from our recent stakeholder survey underscore the public’s expectation of a UMass and Extension presence in environmental education. These environmental education programs for youth draw on a strong teaching base at UMass Amherst, particularly in the College of Natural Resources and Environment and the School of Education. Demonstrated faculty/staff interest includes urban forestry and water resources, and community-based and project-based science education. Staff engaged in environmental youth development efforts have also cultivated strong collaborations outside the university and with environmental agencies and NGOs. Current environmental stewardship programs are leaders in the area of youth development outcomes measurement for UMass Extension. These programs are also experienced and well positioned in terms of outreach to diverse, urban audiences. Research for Extension's 07-11 plan also uncovered potential to link with nutrition, agriculture, and youth development goals through gardening programs.
- Healthy Living - The rates of childhood overweight and obesity have tripled in the past two decades. Childhood overweight is associated with social and psychological problems as well as physical problems. Overweight children are more likely to become overweight and obese adults. Overweight among adults, as well as poor diet and physical inactivity, is strongly associated with risks of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. Lifestyle habits often begin in childhood, so teaching healthful eating and physical activity habits to youth can influence their behaviors over their lifetimes. Cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke, all of which are associated with poor diet and physical inactivity, collectively account for nearly two out of every three deaths in the United States. A recent study reported that diet and physical activity levels are contributing nearly as many deaths as smoking. Changes in behavior necessary to mitigate this devastating toll require a greater understanding of the roots of that behavior, as well as education in skills necessary to choose, prepare, and consume healthful foods in healthful amounts.
UMass Extension has identified the following priorities for addressing Youth Development and Engagement in Massachusetts over the next five years: - Youth are engaged in learning.
- Adults who work or volunteer with youth integrate positive youth development principles into their efforts.
- Youth serving organizations have informed staff and volunteers and the support needed to provide a safe, nurturing place for young people when they are away from their parents.
The following Projects addressed Youth Development and Engagement in FY 08. Click on each project to see additional details.
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Public Issues 
