CAPACITY BUILDING SUPPORT

Why Our Stories Matter

Our award-winning content helps educators and youth workers become more effective at building the skills teens need to succeed in school and life. The stories and session plans produce dynamic and compassionate learning environments. For decades, we have helped marginalized youth find their voices and write their powerful, transformative stories. Since 1980, Youth Communication has created resources for over 35,000 educators, reaching more than two million young people.

Youth Communication is pleased to offer the following capacity-building services to support program implementation:

One-Day Professional Development Session

In these sessions participants will:

• Learn about the theories underlying the curriculum related to social and emotional learning and relationship building,
• Experience a lesson as facilitated by our expert trainer, and
• Practice essential facilitation skills such as: active listening, asking open-ended questions, facilitating difficult discussions, and creating a safe space.

Coaching Sessions

In-person coaching sessions (at the program site) are an opportunity for debriefing, reflection, and skill building once the participants have led several group sessions. The Education Director will use a rubric to observe and give targeted feedback to support the educator. Group leaders are encouraged to share areas of success and areas for improvement with the Education Director to improve the quality of the program and their skills over time. The group leader and Education Director will schedule sessions at a mutually convenient time.

Optional Add-On: Group Professional Development Session

A follow-up group professional development session can be arranged following the coaching sessions. These follow-up trainings will be designed in response to the feedback provided in the individual coaching sessions. They will help group leaders continuously improve their practice. Participants will share best practices with one another and develop a supportive professional learning community.