173638 Incorporating a Youth Asset Development Framework in a County Health Department's delivery of services for youth

Monday, October 27, 2008: 2:30 PM

Katie Troxler, BA , Health Policy & Planning Unit, San Mateo County Health Department, San Mateo, CA
Cristina Heinz, MPH , Health Policy & Planning Unit, San Mateo County Health Department, San Mateo, CA
Scott Morrow, MD, MPH , Health Officer, San Mateo County Health System, San Mateo, CA
     
Background – In 2001, in a departure from a risk-reduction focus, the San Mateo County Health Department (SMCHD) adopted Youth Asset Development (YAD) as a resiliency and strength-based framework for providing services and working with youth in our community. After intensive staff training, SMCHD divisions were expected to implement changes in their programming to reflect the framework. In 2006, an in-depth self-assessment of framework integration revealed that expectation was largely unmet.

Objective – Incorporate YAD Framework in SMCHD's service delivery for youth.

Methods – In 2007, SMCHD gathered a multidisciplinary group of managers, experts on provision of youth health services, to develop an implementation plan for integrating YAD. The first-year actions are designed to shape the way all staff, services and programs respond to youth by building assets in addition to meeting youth's specific health needs.

Results – The First-Year Implementation Plan includes: dissemination of YAD principles targeted to each division and in new employees' orientation; alignment of existing efforts; infusion of YAD language in requests for proposals and contracts; collaboration with County agencies to maximize resources; encouraging staff to be youth mentors; building capacity among organizations implementing YAD programs; and tailored in-services for youth services staff.

Lessons Learned-

1) Tailor transmission of concepts and information to each specific program or division to facilitate YAD framework adoption.

2) Garner support of program managers and division leaders early in the process and keep them appraised of the progress.

3) Provide technical assistance to staff and program managers to problem solve and provide additional planning resources.

Learning Objectives:
1. Define a Youth Asset Development framework. 2. Discuss practical ways in which to incorporate Youth Asset Development in public health services targeting youth. 3. Describe lessons learned in incorporating Youth Asset Development as a framework for delivery of public health services.

Keywords: Organizational Change, Youth

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Since joining the Health Policy and Planning unit of San Mateo County Health Department, the majority of my work has been focused on youth development efforts, both internally within the Health Department and externally within the larger community of San Mateo County. I have attended trainings, studied literature, and researched promising practices to better understand youth development and its practical application. As the main staff person dedicated to these efforts, I attend community meetings and participate in community activities to stay abreast of current happenings in the youth development realm. Given that youth development includes a broad range of programs and efforts, my work focuses mainly on the connection to improving the health status of young people. The submitted abstract and presentation reflect experiences, learnings, and challenges related to integrating youth development. I feel qualified to speak to this matter because of my experience, knowledge, and involvement in implementing recommendations from Department leadership to integrate youth development into the San Mateo County Health Department.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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