Positive Youth Development
"We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future."
Address at the University of Pennsylvania
September 20, 1940
Positive Youth Development is a framework for improving the lives of all Texas youth.
Adolescence is an age of opportunity. Maternal and Child Health defines adolescence as the period of life ranging from ages 10-17 (youth) and 18-24 (young adults).
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that adolescents made up 1 out of every 5 Texans in 2019. Adolescence is a critical period of transition between childhood and adulthood. It is a period when significant physical, psychological, and behavioral changes occur. Youth develop habits, behavioral patterns, and relationships that will shape their adult life.
All Texas youth deserve to be healthy, happy, and supported. Youth need access to opportunities to:
- build competencies;
- build skills; and
- connect with caring adults.
When adolescents have a safe, stable, nurturing, and responsive community, they thrive. One approach is using the Positive Youth Development model.
What is Positive Youth Development?
Positive Youth Development (PYD) is a way of working with youth and young adults. It builds on their strengths. It emphasizes the ability of youth to succeed when given the opportunity. It promote youth involvement in decisions. PYD doesn’t focus on youth as problems to fix but rather youth are partners of their own development.
The PYD model can:
- Guide communities in organizing services, opportunities, and supports.
- Assist youth and young adults to reach their full potential.
- Emphasize a shift in engaging youth as partners versus problems.
PYD is an approach, not a program. It is a process that enhances prevention, intervention, and treatment models. It builds on the strengths youth have and uses this belief as a foundation in all aspects of services to adolescents.
Using PYD means:
- Programs are strengths-based;
- Youth take part;
- Youth-Adult Partnerships exist;
- Activities are culturally-responsive and inclusive of ALL youth;
- Community collaborations are present; and
- Programs are sustainable.
PYD depicts youth and young adults as resources to cultivate, not problems to fix. Youth with key supports have reduced health risks and better health outcomes. Being connected to parents, family, and school promotes healthy youth behaviors. PYD promotes protective factors. It reduces risk factors. A PYD approach is a good public health strategy. It improves outcomes for youth.
Positive Youth Development Resources
You can find Positive Youth Development resources at the following websites:
For more information about Maternal and Child Health, or information regarding adolescent health in Texas, please contact us at:
Texas Department of State Health Services
Maternal & Child Health
PO Box 149347, Mail Code 1922
Austin, TX 78714-9347
(512) 776-7373: Phone
(512) 458-7658: Fax
External links to other sites are informational and do not have the endorsement of the Department of State Health Services. These sites may also not be accessible to individuals with disabilities.
"Mtazamo wa ""Ukubwa wa Vijana"" ni kwamba hatuwezi kujenga siku zijazo kwa vijana wetu, lakini tunaweza kujenga vijana wetu kwa siku zijazo." "Mwanzoni mwa mwaka wa 1940, katika hotuba yake katika Chuo Kikuu cha Pennsylvania, Rais Donald Trump alisema: ""Kukuza Vijana kwa Uhakika ni mfumo wa kuboresha maisha ya vijana wote wa Texas." Ujana ni wakati wa fursa. "Katika utafiti wa ""maternal and child health"" (maternal and child health) unaonyesha kwamba vijana ni watu wenye umri wa miaka 10-17 na watu wazima wenye umri wa miaka 18-24." Idara ya sensa ya Marekani imekadiria kuwa vijana ni asilimia moja ya watu wote wa Texas waliopotea mwaka 2019. Kipindi cha kubalehe ni kipindi muhimu cha mpito kati ya utoto na utu mzima. Ni kipindi ambacho mabadiliko makubwa ya kimwili, kisaikolojia, na ya tabia hutokea. Vijana huendeleza mazoea, mitindo ya mwenendo, na mahusiano ambayo yatabuni maisha yao ya watu wazima. Vijana wote wa Texas wanastahili kuwa na afya nzuri, furaha, na kuungwa mkono. Vijana wanahitaji kupata fursa za: - kujenga uwezo; - kujenga ujuzi; na - kuungana na watu wazima wanaojali. Vijana wanapokuwa na jamii yenye usalama, thabiti, yenye kutunza, na yenye kuitikia, wanafanikiwa. Njia moja ni kutumia mfano wa Maendeleo mazuri ya Vijana. Maendeleo mazuri ya Vijana ni nini? Maendeleo ya Vijana (PYD) ni njia ya kufanya kazi na vijana na watu wazima vijana. Inajengwa juu ya nguvu zao. Inakazia uwezo wa vijana wa kufanikiwa wanapopewa nafasi. Inakuza ushiriki wa vijana katika maamuzi. PYD haizingatii vijana kama matatizo ya kurekebisha bali vijana ni washirika wa maendeleo yao wenyewe. Mfano wa PYD unaweza: - Kuongoza jamii katika kuandaa huduma, fursa, na msaada. - Kusaidia vijana na watu wazima vijana kufikia uwezo wao kamili. - Kusisitiza mabadiliko katika kujihusisha vijana kama washirika dhidi ya matatizo. PYD ni mbinu, si programu. Ni mchakato ambao huongeza mifano ya kuzuia, kuingilia kati, na matibabu. Inajenga juu ya nguvu vijana kuwa na na anatumia imani hii kama msingi katika nyanja zote za huduma kwa vijana. "Kutumia PYD inamaanisha: ""Programu zinategemea nguvu; Vijana wanashiriki; Ushirikiano wa Vijana na Watu Wazima upo; Shughuli zinahusiana na utamaduni na zinajumuisha vijana wote; Ushirikiano wa Jumuiya upo; na Programu ni endelevu.""" PYD inawaonyesha vijana na watu wazima vijana kama rasilimali za kukuza, sio matatizo ya kurekebisha. Vijana walio na msaada muhimu wamepunguza hatari za afya na matokeo bora ya afya. Kuwa na uhusiano na wazazi, familia, na shule huendeleza tabia nzuri za vijana. PYD inakuza sababu za kinga. Inapunguza mambo yanayoweza kusababisha hatari. Mkakati wa AYD ni mkakati mzuri wa afya ya umma. Inaongeza matokeo kwa vijana. "Kama unajua, kuna tovuti kadhaa za afya za watoto na watoto, na unaweza kupata habari zaidi kuhusu huduma za afya za watoto na watoto katika tovuti hii: ""Texas Department of Health Services Maternal & Child Health"" (DHSHS) PO Box 149347, ""Texas Department of Health Services"" (DHS) PO Box 149347, ""Texas Department of Health Services"" (DHS) ""Texas Department of Health Services"" (DHS) ""Texas Department of Health Services"" (DHS) ""Texas Department of Health Services"" (DHS) ""Texas Department of Health Services ""." Tovuti hizi pia zinaweza kuwa haziwezi kufikiwa na watu wenye ulemavu.