Other Youth Development Terms

Youth Development Perspective suggests that helping young people achieve their full potentials is the best way to prevent them from becoming involved in risky behavior. (Family and Youth Services Bureau [FYSB], as stated in the National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth brochure)

Youth Development Strategies focus on giving young people the chance to build skills, exercise leadership, form relationships with caring adults, and help their communities. (Family and Youth Services Bureau [FYSB], as stated in the National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth brochure)

Youth Development Approach acknowledges both youth as resources in rebuilding communities and that helping young people requires strengthening families and communities. It has three components:

• Viewing young people and families as partners, rather than as clients, and involving them in designing and delivering programs and services;
• Giving all youth access to both prevention and intervention services and programs that meet their developmental needs;
• Offering youth opportunities to develop relationships with caring, supportive adults.

(Family and Youth Services Bureau [FYSB], as stated in the National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth brochure)

Youth development's philosophy involves families and communities. It supports healthy development in an environmental context. Young people are not "clients" in this model but partners. Their families are not incidental to the process, their neighbors are not indifferent bystanders, and other community resources are not ignored. ( Youth Development: On the Path Toward Professionalization , National Assembly, 1999)

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