CDLI_Guidebook_18_Final_Print

INTRODUCTION
In this guide, you will find the following:
Experience Journey
This is a blueprint that local Ys can use to guide, design and implement the
character development journey in youth serving programs. This can be especially
insightful for program and practice level professionals who desire to build or
elevate character development into their youth serving program.
Making Meaning of the Data
Because the CDLI has fostered a data supported culture of continuous
improvement, a process called, “Making Meaning of the Data, offers a systematic
means of using data in an environment of continuous improvement. YMCA
professionals who evaluate programs, assess quality and can influence or make
decisions about youth development programs may find this tool informative to
fostering a data driven culture.
Our Way Forward
Each of the areas of practice has been influenced by the scholarship in the
out of school time field. The YMCA’s efforts to understand how adults – staff
and volunteers – cultivate and support character development in youth is
groundbreaking to the field. The section, “Our Way Forward” acknowledges and
details the issues, challenges, research and co-construction process taken to
identify the 5 areas of practice and the inclusion of local Y professionals in the
co- construction of training material and experiences. Although there have been
many frameworks for social and emotional learning, the YMCA’s work in character development has
created a bridge to learn more about the connections between character development and social
emotional learning. YMCA professionals can use “Our Way Forward” as a blueprint for replicating
and translating learning happening at the local Y level.
Conceptual Framework
The Conceptual Framework houses the overview of the theory of action,
concept and related tactics that bring character development to life. Cause
Driven Leaders at all levels of the organization can acquire high level strategies,
indicators and tactics that can be used to design and implement high quality
programs. Under the domains of “adult practice” and “environment”, for each
area of practice, the Youth Development Leader can identify a variety of
specific, observable and measurable behaviors and conditions that are
characteristic to quality youth program. This can be a helpful guide for developing new
programs to support character development with youth or an energizer to elevate character
in your existing youth program.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT GUIDEBOOK
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