New KSA Jump Start Posted on NCWD/Youth Website

In-depth information about NCWD/Youth’s Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Initiative (KSA) is now on the NCWD/Youth website.

Through the KSA initiative, NCWD/Youth has identified key competencies that youth service practitioners, policymakers, organizations, and individuals can use to improve program quality and youth outcomes. Youth service practitioners with the necessary KSAs can provide all youth with a wider variety of opportunities, resources, and services to make a positive transition to adulthood and the world of work. Research shows that the programs and organizations can be more effective when youth service practitioners are equipped with the critical KSAs to do their jobs (KSA research base).

Previous Jump Starts have included assessment, youth development and leadership, work-based learning, and preparatory experiences.

What are the 10 KSAs?

The KSAs are divided into 10 core areas drawn from the youth development, education, workforce preparation, and disability fields. Each competency area describes the KSAs needed to serve all youth and the additional KSAs that may be needed to serve youth with disabilities. The 10 competency areas are:

1. Knowledge of the Field
2. Communication with Youth
3. Assessment and Individualized Planning
4. Relationship to Family and Community
5. Workforce Preparation
6. Career Exploration
7. Relationships with Employers & Between Employer and Employee
8. Connection to Resources
9. Program Design and Delivery
10. Administrative Skills

Get details about each competency area.

These KSA areas were developed by reviewing the work of over 70 initiatives from across the four fields from organizations that define competencies, deliver training, and/or certify professionals. The ten areas were then validated by stakeholders, youth service practitioners and program administrators through focus groups, an online survey, and several stakeholder meetings.

Provide Feedback on the KSAs

NCWD/Youth is interested in knowing what you think about the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). We need your feedback to determine which competencies are most relevant to your work, what professional development opportunities are currently available in your area, and the priority areas for training to be developed. Please consider filling out our online KSAs questionnaire.

KSA Assessment and Professional Development Plan Available

NCWD/Youth has developed two tools based on the KSAs: an assessment and a professional development plan. The assessment can be used as an individual development tool or organization-wide professional development strategy to allow practitioners to assess their own knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs)

The professional development plan allows practitioners to set professional development goals based on the assessment, and track progress. Practitioners can periodically review their Professional Development Plans with their supervisor, colleagues, and career advisors.

The assessment tool and the professional development plan are available in Microsoft Word format for download on our website. NCWD/Youth intends to develop curricula and training material around the competency areas.

MENTOR to Hold First National "Mentoring Spotlight" Award

MENTOR, a resource and advocacy organization, is holding the nation's first "Mentoring Spotlight" award competition. This award will recognize an outstanding mentoring pair and exemplify the impact mentoring can have on the lives of young people.

Each mentoring program can nominate no more than two mentoring pairs. The pair must have been matched for at least nine months, and the mentee must be between the ages of 10 and 18. As part of the application, mentees will be asked to create a testimonial (in written, audio or video format) about what their mentors mean to them. Nominations must be received no later than February 28, 2006 . Complete application instructions and competition guidelines can be found at Mentoring.org.

NCD Study Seeking Input

The National Council on Disability (NCD) is currently conducting a study that will gather information from a wide range of sources and stakeholders regarding the issues that persons with disabilities encounter in seeking and maintaining employment. Rutgers University Program for Disability Research is facilitating this discussion for NCD via an online bulletin board.

The purpose of this online discussion is to inform policy and program recommendations for employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Participation is entirely voluntary. Participants can choose whether you want to read information, respond to issues, or raise issues on this online discussion. Get more information about the NCD online discussion.

NCLD Art and Poetry Competition

The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) has announced its 2006 Art & Poetry Competition for artists or poets with Learning Disabilities (LD) (ages 4-18). All participants are to express artistically this year's theme: "Welcome to the Land of LD. " Tell us your hopes, dreams, challenges and aspirations. What's it like to live with a learning disability? Help others to see and experience LD through your eyes and your words.” The deadline for receipt of all submissions is March 3, 2006. Read more about the NCLD 2006 Art & Poetry Competition.