This Innovative Strategies Practice Brief provides practical examples from promising and exemplary youth programs for implementing youth development and leadership opportunities that help youth develop Thriving competencies. Thriving is the youth development competency area that involves developing attitudes, skills, and behaviors that youth need to maintain their optimal physical and emotional well-being. The strategies described in this brief focus primarily on helping youth understand and manage their physical and emotional health needs, and providing opportunities for youth to develop skills and connect to appropriate services to address these needs.
Some of the youth programs featured in this brief have been recognized by NCWD/Youth as Innovative Strategies and feature programs and organizations that serve youth with disabilities either as a target population or as part of other youth populations.
