The course content is based on the following interconnected definitions and assumptions about how children and youth grow and develop, and how people who work with youth can be effective. Caring relationships and human connections are essential to healthy growth and development. Competence is grounded in the capacity to be in the world with youth.
Competent workers choose and use methods that are geared to developmental needs.
Work with youth is a process of self in action, workers and youth learning about themselves and from their experiences together. Teams of workers, groups of youth, families, and communities are interconnected systems that play key roles in youth development. A greater understanding of and capacity to engage in empowering interactions. An enlarged repertoire of activities and techniques for developing daily and independent living, job, and recreation skills. An increased ability to see and articulate significant daily interactions as separate from and part of long term goals.