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Parents and other caring adults want what’s best for their own children and other young people in their communities. But what research has found over the past 25 years is that involving youth in those discussions and decisions that affect them directly is the best way to help them grow into happy, productive adults.
Positive youth development (PYD) is a comprehensive framework outlining the supports young people need in order to be successful. PYD emphasizes the importance of focusing on youths strengths instead of their risk factors to ensure that all youth grow up to become contributing adults.
States and policymakers are beginning to use this framework to develop policies and programs that will ensure that all youth are ready for college, work and life. The holistic approach focuses on engaging families, schools and communities in activities that support education, leadership development and a sense of accountability and ownership in the community among adolescents.
Read the entire issue brief on Positive Youth Development