Youth workers in college: A replicable model for professional development

Positive relationships with skilled frontline staff are critical to positive youth outcomes (Bouffard & Little, 2004), and yet many youth workers are insufficiently prepared to deal with these complex environments (Casey Foundation, 2003). There is also concern that there is little motivation for frontline youth workers to stay in a field rife with danger of burnout, feelings of being overwhelmed, and low pay (Anderson-Nathe, 2008; Borden, Craig, & Villaruel, 2004). This article establishes the important role higher education can play towards stabilizing the youth workforce, and posits that coursework that is multidisciplinary, relevant to students' jobs, and supported by employers is important to the success of college programs.The 12-credit Youth Studies Certificate (YSC) was offered by the City University of New York (CUNY) to 223 youth workers from 1999 to 2011. Coursework addresses the complex field of youth development by recasting traditional courses in education, human services, psychology, sociology, development, and recreation. Frontline workers combine their practical knowledge of the field with the theoretical framework of a college course. Additionally, the certificate is an opportunity to develop academically and in critical thinking, skills which enhance a worker's development and delivery of service in the practice setting. Public/private partnership is an important feature of this replicable model aimed to build the stability and capacity of the youth development field and the workers within it.Recommendations for replicability and future research are provided.

► City University of New York offered a Youth Studies Certificate to 223 workers.
► CUNY partnered with youth agencies to enroll workers; 72% earned 12 credits.
► YSC, a replicable professional development model, builds capacity for youth field.