The Pathways Learning Network convened in December to explore strategies for meaningfully engaging youth in policymaking and program design. Read key takeaways below and watch the full recording of the session on our event page!

1. Set Realistic Goals and Expectations

  • Clearly define your organization or agency’s strategy, capacity, and budget before recruiting youth to join.
  • Identify a primary person responsible for overseeing youth initiatives.
  • Train your team to engage with young people as they are, not as you expect or wish them to be.

2. Practice Transparency

  • Set clear expectations when recruiting young people: what will they be working on? How many hours should they be expected to engage? Will they receive compensation?
  • Clarify the nature and scope of the youth role and avoid overpromising.
  • Determine how many youth you plan to recruit before launching recruitment efforts.
  • Embrace what feels meaningful to you.

3. Invest in Youth Skill Building

  • Set clear expectations when recruiting young people: what will they be working on? How many hours should be expected to engage? Will they receive compensation?
  • Clarify the nature and scope of the youth role and avoid overpromising.
  • Determine how many youth you plan to recruit before launching recruitment efforts.

4. Celebrate Successes

  • Share what’s working! Acknowledge progress made and share milestones within your organization and publicly to inspire others. Celebrating the wins can provide momentum and a sense of power to make change.
  • Identify a champion – a person internal or external to the organization who will amplify and uplift the hard work and successes of the young people on your team.

Program Spotlights

  • In Delaware, peer-to-peer support and role models have been extremely helpful for showing youth that, “If I can do it, you can too.”
  • New Jersey is piloting a program called “Enlightenment” – a peer-to-peer program for guidance, advice, and empowerment strategies that is being piloted in nine counties.
  • Youth in New Jersey came together to create the “Siblings Bill of Rights” law that ensures siblings in foster care can see each other or stay together.

Watch the full Pathways Learning Network session below or on our event page. Pathways to Resilience will continue to amplify strategies for promoting healing and resilience and share resources for those seeking to implement similar approaches.