Youth workers -- the staff that work with children and youth at community centers, clubs, camps, afterschool programs and a host of other settings -- serve tens of millions of children and youth daily and play significant roles in their lives.  These dedicated workers, like other workers, need training and ongoing professional development to enhance their skills and keep them current.  This toolkit focuses on a strategy for meeting that need:  community based training and technical assistance resource centers for youth workers.  It contains three major topics: Making the Case; Getting the Right Start; and Tools and Resources and within each a wealth of information to help begin and effectively maintain these crucial organizations.

Acknowledgements

Making The Case

Establishing the Importance: What Research Tells Us

Establishing the Benefits

Funding Template

Getting the Right Start

Identify the Right Leadership

Clarify Vision, Mission and Roles

Form Strong Relationships

Build Credibility through High-quality and Reliability

Create Meaningful Partnerships and Collaborations

Develop Effective Operations

Tools and Resources

Leadership Skills and Qualities Checklist

Clarify Vision, Mission and Roles: Questions to Consider

Roles and Services Checklists

Sample Mission Statements

Building Resources and Organizational Capabilities

Sustainability Self-Assessment Tool

Youth Development Resource Links

Finding Funding Sources