DC TRUST Guide 1023 - Children & Youth Investment Trust ...

e. Staff is able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of young people and intentionally
works to strengthen at least one area.
f. Staff demonstrates an awareness of young people’s individual situations in meeting basic
needs (e.g. food, clothing, hygiene, neglect or abuse).
g. Program collaborates with other community-based organizations to meet the needs and
realize the potential of its young people.
3. Staff engages with young people to help them learn and develop.
a. Staff works with each individual young person to set goals, and tracks his/her progress
over time.
b. Staff asks questions that encourage young people to become independent
critical thinkers and problem solvers.
c. Staff teaches young people skills and strategies to help them access information
and solve problems.
d. Staff creates opportunities for frequent discussions.
e. Staff provides learning and developmental opportunities that promote
youth voice and choice.
4. Staff encourages young people to make choices and to accept responsibility.
a. Staff gives young people opportunities for choice in program activities.
b. Staff supports and encourages young people’s initiative within the program.
c. Staff models and encourages critical analysis prior to making choices.
d. Staff communicates the process of its own decision-making, rather than just the dos and
don’ts.
e. Staff supports young people in making choices without taking control from them.
f. Staff provides opportunities for young people to take leadership roles.
g. Staff works with young people and youth to assemble documentation of work (e.g.
exhibits, performances, portfolios, and web-pages).
h. Staff guides young people in making informed and positive decisions for their personal
well-being and self-advocacy (e.g. health maintenance, sexuality, safety, education,
civic involvement, interaction with friends and family, career development and
entrepreneurship).
i. Staff encourages ownership of and group responsibility for program space.
5. Staff promotes positive social development between young people.
a. Staff provides consistent opportunities for young people to socialize and collaborate as
well as to engage in quiet or reflective activities.
b. Staff gives young people the opportunity to work towards or rotate through different
project roles and levels of authority and responsibility.
c. Staff provides young people with opportunities to better understand their peers through
the exploration of different life situations, viewpoints and cultures.
d. Staff provides the opportunities for team-building activities and group projects with its
young people.
Field Guide to OST Best Practices / Youth Development Philosophy and Low Student-to-Staff Ratio / 5