A Guide to Effective Investments in Positive Youth Development: Implications of Research for Financing and Sustaining Programs and Services for Youth

This paper discusses research in effective positive youth development, highlighting certain programs as evidence of what works. Overall, the paper found that effective positive youth development programs provide a safe and nurturing environment, afford youth opportunities to develop self-confidence, and provide opportunities for youth to build critical-thinking skills and form connections to family and other adults. The paper also points out efficient ways to create these types of programs with limited resources and emphasizes the importance of using data on outcomes and results to drive funding decisions.