Competency Area 8: Connection to Resources
This competency area focuses on the knowledge, skills, and abilities that youth service professionals need to develop and maintain connections and collaborative relationships with various community partners to assist youth in accessing the full range of services, support, and opportunities they need for success. Click on individual competencies listed below for learning objectives, professional development activities, and resources for that specific competency or scroll down to read them all. Note: The letter “D” indicates a competency specific to youth with disabilities.
8.1 Ability to identify a range of community resources (people, places, things, and money) that can assist youth
8.1 Ability to identify a range of community resources (people, places, things, and money) that can assist youth
Learning Objectives
- 8.1.1 Maintain an inclusive and cohesive updated list and descriptions of a range of community resources (people, places, things, and money) that can assist youth
Selected Activities
- Explore the Internet to find out if your community has an online community resource. If a map exists, list the advantages/disadvantages of these programs as they apply to your organizational needs
Demonstration of Learning – Show What You Know!
- Maintain an inclusive and cohesive updated list and descriptions of a range of community resources (people, places, things, and money) that can assist youth
Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners
- National Center on Secondary Education & Transition (NCSET). (2003). Community Resource Mapping: A Strategy for Promoting Successful Transition for Youth with Disabilities. Written by K. Crane & B. Skinner.
- NCSET. NCSET Web Sites and Affiliated Web Sites and State Resources & Contacts.
- NCWD/Youth. Module 4: Linking and Leveraging – Microsoft Word, Module 4: Linking and Leveraging – Microsoft PowerPoint.
- NCWD/Youth. (2008). Making the Right Turn: A Guide About Improving Transition Outcomes for Youth Involved in the Juvenile Corrections Systems. Written by J. Gannon & C. Richards.
- NCWD/Youth. (2008). Negotiating the Curves Toward Employment: A Guide About Youth Involved in the Foster Care System.
- NCWD/Youth. (2007). Tunnels and Cliffs: A Guide for Workforce Development Practitioners and Policymakers serving Youth with Mental Health Needs. Written by M. Podmostko.
- NCWD/Youth. (2008). Transitioning Youth with Mental Health Needs to Meaningful Employment and Independent Living. Written by L. Woosley & J. Katz-Leavy.
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 18. (2006). Blending and Braiding Funds and Resources: The Intermediary as Facilitator.
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 3. (2002). How Young People Can Benefit from One-Stop Centers.
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 8. (2004). Making the Connections: Growing and Supporting New Organizations: Intermediaries.
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 13. (2005). The Right Connections: Navigating the Workforce Development System.
- NCWD/Youth Research to Practice Brief, Issue 1. (2004). Building Lasting Connections to Employers: Developing Community-Wide Intermediaries.
Other Resources
- The Community Toolbox. ”Identifying Community Assets and Resources” in Chapter 3: Assessing Community Needs and Resources.
- The Community Toolbox. “Developing a Plan for Communication” in Chapter 6: Promoting Interest in Community Issues.
- FindYouthInfo.gov. Afterschool Programs.
- FindYouthInfo.gov. Map My Community. [Use the interactive mapping tool to locate federally supported youth programs in your community.]
- Guidestar. Advanced Search. [Use this site to search for nonprofit organizations in your community.]
- LearningWork Connection. (2008). Mapping Local Youth Resources. Center for Learning Excellence, The Ohio State University. Written by M. E. Wonacott.
- Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator.
- School & Main Institute for the Texas Workforce Commission Youth Program Initiative. (2003). Training Packets and Tools for Action on Community Resource Mapping: Knowing Your Youth Services Landscape.
- USA.Gov. [This website is helpful for finding local, state, and federal government agency information and contacts.]
- U. S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families. [Learn about various programs and services available to at-risk children and families nationwide.]
8.2 Ability to create relationships and network with other community agencies and potential partners
8.2 Ability to create relationships and network with other community agencies and potential partners
Learning Objectives
- 8.2.1 Develop, model and monitor creative relationships and networks with other community agencies and potential partners
Selected Activities
- List and describe current existing community agencies and partners
- List and describe possible/future community agencies and partners
- Take the Career Circuit A. Building Relationships/Developing Community Support tutorial
Demonstration of Learning – Show What You Know!
- Describe a plan or program possibilities to create relationships and network with other community agencies and potential partners
Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners
- NCWD/Youth. Module 4: Linking and Leveraging – Microsoft Word,
- NCWD/Youth. (2008). Making the Right Turn: A Guide About Improving Transition Outcomes for Youth Involved in the Juvenile Corrections Systems. Written by J. Gannon & C. Richards.
- NCWD/Youth. (2008). Negotiating the Curves Toward Employment: A Guide About Youth Involved in the Foster Care System.
- NCWD/Youth. (2007). Tunnels and Cliffs: A Guide for Workforce Development Practitioners and Policymakers serving Youth with Mental Health Needs. Written by M. Podmostko.
- NCWD/Youth. (2008). Transitioning Youth with Mental Health Needs to Meaningful Employment and Independent Living. Written by L. Woosley & J. Katz-Leavy.
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 18. (2006). Blending and Braiding Funds and Resources: The Intermediary as Facilitator.
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 17. (2005). Facilitating Employer Engagement among WIB Partners: A Role for Intermediaries.
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 13. (2005). The Right Connections: Navigating the Workforce Development System.
- NCWD/Youth Youth InfoBrief, Issue 12. (2005). Strategies for Youth Workforce Programs to Become Employer Friendly Intermediaries.
- NCWD/Youth Youth Short Cuts, No. 2. (2007). Building an Infrastructure to Serve Youth.
- NCWD/Youth Research to Practice Brief, Issue 1. (2004). Building Lasting Connections to Employers: Developing Community-Wide Intermediaries.
- National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC). PEPNet Online Index to Quality Practices, 2.4 Collaboration. [Create a free login account to access this section of the PEPNet Online Tools for Program Improvement with NYEC.]
Other Resources
- ACT for Youth. (2006). Positive Youth Development Resource Manual. [Read Section 6: Community Involvement and Collaboration.]
- Center for Workers with Disabilities. (2009). Making the Connection: Fostering Relationships with Local Partners. Housing Issue Brief Series, No. 3.
- The Community Toolbox. “Building and Sustaining Relationships” in Chapter 14: Core Functions in Leadership.
- The Community Toolbox. “Developing a Plan for Communication” in Chapter 6: Promoting Interest in Community Issues.
- The Community Toolbox. “Making Community Presentations” in Chapter 4: Getting Issues on the Public Agenda.
- The Community Toolbox. “Making Personal Contact with Potential Participants” in Chapter 7: Encouraging Involvement in Community Work.
- Constitutional Rights Foundation (2004). Promoting Civic Partnerships. Service Learning Network, Spring 2004, Vol. 10, No. 1.
8.3 Ability to market own program as a valuable resource to community and a viable partner
8.3 Ability to market own program as a valuable resource to community and a viable partner
Learning Objectives
- 8.3.1 Describe multiple strategies to market your program as a valuable resource to community and a viable partner
Selected Activities
- Review other marketing plans in the community
Demonstration of Learning – Show What You Know!
- Create a marketing plan for your initiative
Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners
- NCWD/Youth. (2005). Building, Developing, and Going to Scale.
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 17. (2005). Facilitating Employer Engagement among WIB Partners: A Role for Intermediaries.
- NCWD/Youth Research to Practice Brief, Issue 1. (2004). Building Lasting Connections to Employers: Developing Community-Wide Intermediaries.
Other Resources
- The Community Toolbox. “Developing a Plan for Communication” in Chapter 6: Promoting Interest in Community Issues.
- The Community Toolbox. “Making Community Presentations” in Chapter 4: Getting Issues on the Public Agenda.
- The Community Toolbox. “Making Personal Contact with Potential Participants” in Chapter 7: Encouraging Involvement in Community Work.
- The Community Toolbox. “Marketing the Initiative to Secure Financial Support” in Chapter 46, Planning for Long-Term Institutionalization.
8.4 Ability to build collaborative relationships and manage partnerships
8.4 Ability to build collaborative relationships and manage partnerships
Learning Objectives
- 8.4.1 Describe multiple strategies to build collaborative relationships and manage partnerships
Selected Activities
- Find three organizations with similar interests that might benefit from collaboration
- Draft letters introducing your organization
Demonstration of Learning – Show What You Know!
- Initiate a collaborative effort with another organization
Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners
- National Center on Secondary Education & Transition (NCSET). (2007). Models of Collaboration and Cost Sharing in Transition Programming. Written by J. Timmons.
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 18. (2006). Blending and Braiding Funds and Resources: The Intermediary as Facilitator.
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 8. (2004). Making the Connections: Growing and Supporting New Organizations: Intermediaries.
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 17. (2005). Facilitating Employer Engagement among WIB Partners: A Role for Intermediaries.
- NCWD/Youth Research to Practice Brief, Issue 1. (2004). Building Lasting Connections to Employers: Developing Community-Wide Intermediaries.
- National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC). PEPNet Online Index to Quality Practices, 2.4 Collaboration. [Create a free login account to access this section of the PEPNet Online Tools for Program Improvement with NYEC.]
Other Resources
- ACT for Youth. (2006). Positive Youth Development Resource Manual. [Read Section 6: Community Involvement and Collaboration.]
- Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice. (1999). Promising practices: Building collaboration in systems of care. Systems of Care: Promising Practices in Children’s Mental Health, 1998 Series, Volume VI. Written by S. Hodges, T. Nesman, & M. Hernandez.
- The Community Toolbox. “Building and Sustaining Relationships” in Chapter 14: Core Functions in Leadership.
- The Community Toolbox. “Developing Multisector Collaborations” in Ch. 24: Improving Services.
- The Community Toolbox. ”Making Personal Contact with Potential Participants” in Chapter 7: Encouraging Involvement in Community Work.
- The Community Toolbox. “Promoting Coordination, Cooperative Agreements, and Collaborative Agreements Among Agencies” in Ch. 24: Improving Services.
- School & Main Institute for the Texas Workforce Commission Youth Program Initiative. (2003). Training Packets and Tools for Action on Getting Your Youth Advisory Group from Here to There; and Powerful Partnerships.
8.5 Knowledge about different funding streams for youth
8.5 Knowledge about different funding streams for youth
Learning Objectives
- 8.5.1 List and describe different updated funding streams for youth
Selected Activities
- Develop a presentation that includes local, state or regional, and national funding streams for the youth served by your organization. Include funding levels and information on available resources
Demonstration of Learning – Show What You Know!
- Can deliver a talk on multiple youth funding streams with little to no preparation
Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners
- National Center on Secondary Education & Transition (NCSET). Leveraging Resources Community of Practice.
- NCWD/Youth. Module 4: Linking and Leveraging – Microsoft Word,
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 18. (2006). Blending and Braiding Funds and Resources: The Intermediary as Facilitator.
Other Resources
- The Finance Project. (2006). Finding Resources to Support Workforce Development Services for Youth.
- The Finance Project. (2005). Finding Funding: A Guide to Federal Sources for Workforce Development Initiatives. Written by N. Relave & E. Mendes.
- The Finance Project. Youth Programs Resource Center.
- The Grantsmanship Center. Local & Federal Funding Source Locator.
- LearningWork Connection. (2005). Youthwork Information Brief: Leveraging Resources. Center for Learning Excellence, The Ohio State University. Written by B. L. Brown & J. O. Wagner.
- New Ways to Work. (2003). Funding Matrix for a Comprehensive Youth Serving System: A Directory of Funding Sources and Programs for Youth.
8.6D Knowledge of community intermediary organizations to assist with disability-specific supports and resources
8.6D Knowledge of community intermediary organizations to assist with disability-specific supports and resources
Learning Objectives
- 8.6.D.1 List and describe different updated community intermediary organizations that assist with disability-specific support
Selected Activities
- Research community intermediary organizations in your neighborhood
Demonstration of Learning – Show What You Know!
- Draft a standard operating procedure to involve community intermediary organizations in an effort
Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 18. (2006). Blending and Braiding Funds and Resources: The Intermediary as Facilitator.
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 17. (2005). Facilitating Employer Engagement among WIB Partners: A Role for Intermediaries.
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 8. (2004). Making the Connections: Growing and Supporting New Organizations: Intermediaries.
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 13. (2005). The Right Connections: Navigating the Workforce Development System.
- NCWD/Youth Research to Practice Brief, Issue 1. (2004). Building Lasting Connections to Employers: Developing Community-Wide Intermediaries.
Other Resources
- Training & Technical Assistance for Providers (T-TAP). Strategies: Transportation.
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families. Capacity Building Toolkits for Faith-Based and Community Organizations.
- World Institute on Disability. Making the Connections: Empowering Faith-based Asset Builders to Serve People with Disabilities.
