Improving Program Outcomes Including measuring outcomes, promoting literacy/numeracy gains, educational attainment, behavior management strategies, funding sustainability, etc.Serving the Needs of Special Populations Including rural, physical, emotional and learning disabilities, court appointed, parenting teens, homeless, LGBT, etc.Strengthening Career Development Including apprenticeships, recruitment and motivation strategies, use of industry-recognized credentials, assessing skills and career interests, etc.Improving Employer Involvement Including connections with industry partners, successful placement and retention, understanding business motivations, etc.Leadership and Personal Development Including stress management, career management for professionals, finding inspiration, etc.Business and Economic Development Intelligence Fosters interagency relationships in local/state government. Maintains continuous awareness of the political climate, community planning, and existing business/industry base and how they impact initiatives. Speaks the language of business and the marketplace. Etc.Career Development Principles Administers and interprets a variety of assessment tools. Delivers and applies knowledge of modern job search strategies. Develops training plans that address employer needs and job-seeker capabilities. Etc.Collaboration and Problem Solving Defines problems clearly and concisely. Engages customers, colleagues, agencies, and partner associates in a positive, professional manner. Is knowledgeable about the range of services in the community, and develops and maintains relationships with partners to deliver a comprehensive array of services to customers. Etc.Customer Service Methodology Identifies customer needs and expectations to create positive customer satisfaction. Listens to customer concerns and solicits feedback. Places appropriate emphasis on "excellence" and "speed of response" in work performance. Etc.Diversity in Workforce Development Adapts materials and services to address diverse needs of customers. Creates an environment that enables all individuals to contribute to their fullest potential. Demonstrates sensitivity to cultural and individual differences. Etc.Labor Market Information and Intelligence Accesses, analyzes, and uses local, state, and national electronic and non-electronic labor market information delivery systems and databases. Identifies the kinds of information individuals need, including assessment, in order to make realistic career decisions, and where that information can be found. Provides updated labor market information to employers, job seekers, and staff to develop opportunities. Etc.Principles of Communication Asks questions for clarification. Communicates with internal and external customers. Demonstrates strong teamwork skills. Etc.Program Implementation Principles and Strategies Accepts suggestions for performance improvement from consultants and supervisors. Anticipates and prepares for organizational change. Applies principles of caseload management to successfully work with large numbers of people. Etc.Workforce Development Structure, Policies and Programs Demonstrates knowledge of federal, state, and local workforce development programs, funding guidelines, and workforce development codes. Interprets current laws and structure to deliver appropriate services, and understands how their own work impacts the system’s goals. Relates public workforce development policy, initiatives, and funding sources with the current system. Etc.Knowledge of the Field Knows youth and adolescent development theory; rights and laws relating to youth and to people with disabilities; professional ethics including boundaries, confidentiality, and privacy rights; key processes for youth with disabilities including individual plans, universal access, and reasonable accommodations.Communication with Youth Is able to establish, develop, and maintain caring, respectful, trusting relationships with a diverse range of young people. Is sensitive to cultural differences, including current youth culture. Understands issues and trends affecting youth in the community, as well as those affecting youth with disabilities. Can communicate with all youth including those with disabilities (such as physical, sensory, psychiatric, and cognitive).Assessment and Individualized Planning Is able to utilize assessment tools, appropriate for youth/young adults, to determine academic skill levels, career interests, presence of disabilities, and support needs. Understands when and how to refer youth for specialized assessment, and how to incorporate results to accommodate youth needs. Is able to involve youth in using assessment results to develop their own plans and goals for career and educational and life skills development, as well as for measuring progress. Understands the need to ensure benefit planning is included in the assessment process for youth with disabilities.Relationship to Family and Community Is able to engage and build relationships with family members, guardians, advocates, and other significant persons, as well as connect them to institutions, community service opportunities, leadership activities, and supportive adults, including mentors and role models with and without disabilities.Workforce Preparation Is able to facilitate youth job readiness skill-building and assess employability strengths/barriers of youth, including necessary accommodations and supports; teach job search skills, including the use of technology, the internet, and assistive technology; match youth with appropriate jobs and careers, including job analysis, customizing, and skills standards; and coach youth, assisting in job retention and providing follow-up.Career Exploration Knows technology, online search skills, tools, and processes for career exploration for youth. Is able to engage employers in helping youth explore careers. Knows workplace and labor market trends as they relate to new and future workers, as well as options for youth with disabilities such as supported or customized employment and self-employment.Relationship to Employers and Between Employers and Youth Is able to develop relationships, engage, and communicate effectively with employers, including identifying recruiting and providing support to employers hiring youth. Is able to train employers and their staff in how to work with and support all youth, including providing universal access and reasonable accommodations for youth with disabilities. Is able to mediate/resolve conflicts between employers and youth, advocate for all youth, and negotiate job design, customization, and carving.Connection to Resources Is able to identify, network, and create relationships with a variety of community agencies and resources for youth, including community intermediary organizations with disability-specific supports and resources. Is able to market own program as a resource and build collaborative partnerships with other youth-focused organizations. Knows different funding streams for youth.Program Design and Delivery Is able to design and implement programs using broadly-recognized best practices for youth initiatives (such as strong management; long-term, intensive, youth-centered approaches; age, stage, and cultural appropriateness; and strong academic and work experiences). Is able to apply disability-related concepts such as universal access, reasonable accommodations, and other services. Is able to evaluate and adjust programs based on youth outcome measurement and data.Administrative Skills Is able to complete referrals and service summaries using common reporting formats and requirements, including disability-specific forms such as individual plans, transition plans, and individualized work plans. Demonstrates time management, teamwork, interpersonal, written communication, and verbal expression skills appropriate to a youth-centered organization.
NAWDP 2013 Youth Development Symposium
The Palmer House Hilton -- Chicago, IL
October 28-30, 2013
Workshop Session Proposal
***All proposals are due no later than June 30, 2013***
Submit no more than three proposals! Only the first three proposals submitted will be read.
Workshop audiences will include youth workers interested in learning about innovative methods to serve youth,
public policies that support the effective delivery of services, and workshops that provide information,
tools or ideas that are practical and easily replicated.
Workshops are 75 minutes and should encompass effective practices, which have demonstrated measures of success.
Presentations should take into account adult learning styles and ensure interactivity with the audience.