The Youth Development Program was started at ISU Henry County Extension in 2006 under the Iowa Department of Public Health. It has been a major support in strengthening youth within our communities and schools.
Youth Development is the ongoing growth process in which all youth strive to:
- meet the basic personal and social needs to feel cared for and to be safe, valued, useful, and spiritually grounded, and;
- build character, skills and competencies that permit functioning and contribution in daily life.
To become healthy and productive adults, youth must develop the attitudes, behaviors, competencies and skills that allow them to succeed as parents, citizens and workers. Youth who do not have opportunities to develop these attributes and test them in a supportive environment are at risk of a variety of negative behaviors and poor outcomes.
In Henry County there are several leadership groups that have been working on positive ways to better themselves, their school and their community. To learn more about youth development or if you have any questions please contact Rena Philp at the ISU Henry County Extension at 319-385-8126.
GOALS OF POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
- Providing services and opportunities to support youth in developing a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and empowerment;
- Ensuring youth an experience to live life positively;
- Offering programs or activities to help foster the development of assets in youth.
