This primer on youth development is intended to help communities rethink youth services in the context of the larger community. It offers guidance about the changes necessary to plan for and accept new ideas. The youth development approach advocated by the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) suggests that helping young people achieve their full potentials is the way to prevent their involvement in risky behavior. Focusing on strengths rather than failings is the underlying principle of the youth development construct operationalized by the FYSB in its programs over the last two decades. The three key philosophical components of a youth development approach are viewing youths and their families as partners in the effort, giving them access to prevention and intervention services, and offering opportunities to develop relationships with caring and supportive adults. Organizational changes may be required to implement a youth development approach, and a shared vision for youths and the community is a necessity. Education for service providers, policymakers, families, and communities is required, as is developing effective ways to evaluate programs and their impacts. The ultimate goal, regardless of the specific approaches tailored to communities, is to implement an approach that supports and values young people in the context of the larger community. Appendixes present assessment measures for leadership and organizational qualities. A list of 53 youth development programs is included. (Contains six references.) (SLD)
