Positive Youth Development

Contact Information:
1-402-476-9403
rhughes@nebraskachildren.org

Positive youth development requires a change in perspective in how we think about and behave toward youth from a problem focused approach to a community youth involvement approach in order to value the talents, abilities and worth of our youth.

The State of Nebraska received a Positive Youth Development State and Local Collaboration Demonstration Project Grant for 2003-2008, and Nebraska Children was chosen to administer this Youth Development Project.

The goals of this project are to:

1. Encourage collaboration among state and local agencies to increase opportunities for positive youth development in local communities and neighborhoods;

2. Promote communication and cooperation between state, local communities and youth serving agencies in addressing the needs and issues of adolescents and young adults;

3. Encourage ongoing participation in planning and execution of strategies of positive youth development; and

4. Energize local constituencies, including residents, community-based and faith-based organizations, and service providers around a positive youth development agenda.

The Circle of Courage™, Native American Community was selected as the local community partner for the project, which is served by the Panhandle Youth Shelter. The plan must meet the programmatic goals of
- Increased opportunities and avenues for the positive use of time including:
- Increased opportunities for positive self-expression
- Increased opportunities for youth participation and civic engagement


Programs that engage youth in community leadership include:

• Unlocking the Potential for Success
  Nearing the end of high school and unsure of the next step? Are you interested (or unsure) in college...but have NO idea on where to even start looking into a higher degree?
  
  Perhaps you're in college, and looking for ways to help guide high school students who are struggling with the same questions you had at their age.
  
  Unlocking the Potential for Success (UPS) opens the door to an education and degree from Nebraska’s independent colleges for Nebraska youth (grades 10-12) living in the state foster care system or Nebraska youth (grades 10-12) of Native American descent.
  
  
• Foster Youth Initiative – A program that supports Nebraska youth in foster care and provides support networks for youth as they exit care.
  
  
• Governor's Youth Advisory Council
  GYAC is a council of youth ages 14-18 from across the state addressing issues facing youth of Nebraska. For more information click the above link to view the brochure.
  
  
• Governor's Youth Advisory Council (GYAC) - Mission and Goals
  
  
• GYAC 2008 Application Packet
  Interested in joining GYAC? Download and fill out the information in this packet!
  
  
• GYAC Member Profile
  
  
• GYAC Information Release Form
  
  
• Circle of Nations Youth Council
  Youth from the Ponca, Winnebago, Omaha, Santee Sioux Tribes working together to lead, learn and contribute
  Where Culture, Tradition, and Education Meet Success!
  UNL July 10-12, 2006
  
  
• Nebraska's Promise
  Nebraska's Promise is a alliance of agencies, organizations and individuals dedicated to ensuring that all of Nebraska's children grow up with the benefit of supportive relationships with caring adults, safe places to learn and grow, a healthy start in life, effective education for marketable skills, and opportunities to give back to their communities.
  
  
• America's Promise 100 Best Communities For Young People Application
  Sponsored by America's Promise, the 100 Best Communities for Young People event recognizes outstanding community-wide efforts to improve the well-being of our nation's youth.