Assessing the Youth Development Workforce – Realities, Readiness, & Re-engagement Post-2020

Youth Development Professionals (YDP) are: (1) individuals who work for organizations that support after school (AS) and out-of-school time (OST) programs; (2) important and trusted adults in the lives of young people; and (3) engage with youth from all walks of life. Within Cuyahoga County there are approximately 534 AS/OST programs and over the past 20 years there has been a systematic investment in the training and preparation of YDP within the County. The emergence of COVID-19 and efforts to promote racial equity have significantly shifted the structure, focus, and processes associated with this YDP and AS/OST programs. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is: to explore the experiences, perceptions of competence, and readiness of YDP; and, to identify strategies to support re-engagement with youth as a part of AS/OST programming. This will involve developing and implementing a web-based assessment among YDP in Cuyahoga County which includes a series of questions related to: demographic characteristics; competencies; equity; and engagement strategies. Participants will be recruited from the Cuyahoga County Youth Work Institute (CCYWI) database. The survey will be administered in July of 2021 over a period of 3-4 weeks using the Dillman method of web-based research. Results will be shared with local YDP, AS/OST programs, and CCYWI participants in the fall of 2021 in addition to being submitted for publication in the Journal of Youth Development. Newman, J. (Year). Supporting the Out-of-School Time Workforce in Fostering Intentional Social and Emotional Learning. Journal of Youth Development, Volume 15 (Issue 1), 239-265. doi:10.5195/jyd.2020.807