Competency Area 1: Knowledge of Field

List of Competencies

Note: The letter "D" indicates a competency specific to youth with disabilities

• 1.1 Knowledge of youth development theory, adolescent and human development
• 1.2 Understanding of youth rights and laws including labor, curfew, and attendance
• 1.3 Knowledge of self as a youth development worker, including professional ethics and boundaries, confidentiality, and professional development needs and opportunities
• 1.4D Understanding of the values and history of the disability field
• 1.5D Understanding of disability laws including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWWIIA)
• 1.6D Knowledge of key concepts and processes including Individualized Education Program (IEP), Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE), transition, due process procedures, parents’ rights, informed choice, self determination, universal access, and reasonable accommodations
• 1.7D Understanding of privacy and confidentiality rights as they relate to disability disclosure

1.1 Knowledge of youth development theory, adolescent and human development

Learning Objectives

• 1.1.1 Identify, describe, and critique youth development theories and models, such as Forum for Youth Investment's Five areas of Youth Development, Search Institute "Assets" Theory, National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth's Five Areas of Youth Development and Leadership, KohIberg’s theory of Moral Reasoning, and Erikson and Piaget’s theory of Cognitive Development
• 1.1.2 Describe adolescent and human development in terms of physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioral factors and developmental systems theory

Selected Activities

Utilize the materials and activities in the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth's Adolescent Development: Introducing the Basics. Lessons include:

• Psychological Development
• Moral Reasoning
• Youth Development Theories & Models 1
• Youth Development Theories & Models 2
• Sexual Maturation of the Female and Male Adolescent

"Adolescent Development: Introducing the Basics" - Microsoft Word

Demonstration of Learning - Show What You Know!

• Successful completion of activities in the above Adolescent Development: Introducing the Basics or in other curricula that review youth/adolescent development

Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners

• Gill, P. Youth Development and Leadership in Programs. National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth InfoBrief, Volume 11.
• McCain, M, Gill, P., and Wills, J. (2004). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities of Youth Service Professionals: The Centerpiece of a Successful Workforce Development System, National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth.
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (2005). Adult Learning Theory: Extended Reference List.
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (n.d.). Guideposts for Success.
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (n.d.). Module 5: Youth Development and Leadership - Microsoft Word, Module 5: Youth Development and Leadership - Microsoft PowerPoint.
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (n.d.). Youth Development and Leadership Jump Start.
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (n.d.). Youth Development and Leadership for All Youth - PDF, Youth Development and Leadership for All Youth - Microsoft Word.
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (2004). Youth Development and Leadership White Paper - PDF, Youth Development and Leadership White Paper - Microsoft Word.

Other Resources

• ETR's Resource Center for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (n.d.). Developmental Theories.
• Murphey, D. (2000). What works: Promoting positive youth development in your community. Waterbury, VT: Vermont Agency of Human Services, Planning Division.
• Funders' Collaborative on Youth Organizing. (2000). An Emerging Model for Working with Youth: Community Organizing + Youth Development = Youth Organizing.
• Konopka , G., (Fall 1973) Requirements For Healthy Development Of Adolescent Youth [Electronic Version] ADOLESCENCE, VII: 31, pp. 1-26
• National Youth Development Information Center (n.d.).
• National Youth Development Learning Network (2004). Worker Competencies.
• Search Institute. (n.d.) Developmental Assets in Youth Approach.

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1.2 Understanding of youth rights and laws including labor, curfew, and attendance

Learning Objectives

• 1.2.1 List your state or locality's youth laws related to age, curfew, wages, attendance, type of work, etc.

Selected Activities

• Complete the Restaurant Employer Assessment Tool
• Complete the Grocery Employer Assessment Tool
• Complete the Social Security Law WebQuest
• Create a Scavenger Hunt or Webquest related to Public Disability Laws
  [ Scavenger Hunt - Microsoft Word, Scavenger Hunt - Adobe PDF]

Demonstration of Learning - Show What You Know!

• Successful completion of a FAQ Brochure.
• Successfully complete Scavenger Hunt or WebQuest

Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners

• Hare, R. A Guide to Legislative Advocacy for Youth with Disabilities. National Consortium on Leadership and Disability for Youth (2008).
• How Young People Can Benefit from One-Stop Centers. National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth InfoBrief, Volume 3 (2002).
• NICHCY Publications and Resources.
• National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (1996). The Education of Children and Youth with Special Needs: What do the Laws Say?
• Serving Youth with Disabilities Under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998: The Basics. National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth InfoBrief, Volume 4 (2003).
• U.S. Department of Labor in the 21st Century: (n.d.) Youth & Labor: State Labor Laws.

Other Resources

• Judicial Education Center (n.d.). JEC Child Welfare Handbook.
• Legal Information Institute (n.d.). Laws of the Fifty States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico Governing the Emancipation of Minors.
• Tribal Law and Policy Institute (n.d.).
• United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) (n.d.) Youth@Work.

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1.3 Knowledge of self as a youth development worker, including professional ethics and boundaries, confidentiality, and professional development needs and opportunities

Learning Objectives

• 1.3.1 Locate and list your specific organizations code of ethics and policies
• 1.3.2 Develop a list of relevant professional development opportunities available

Selected Activities

• Activity 1 of the Texas Workforce Commission Youth Program Initiative.
  [ Activity 1 - Microsoft Word]
• Read through NSDTA Ethical Standards Section (pg.16) Compliance and Noncompliance examples and develop five of your own examples.
• Complete the ethics scenario.
  [ Ethics Scenario Activity- Microsoft Word, Ethics Scenario Activity - Adobe Acrobat]

Demonstration of Learning - Show What You Know!

• Develop a list of professional organizations and relevant journals/resources to stay current
• Develop a matrix of professional development needs with a matrix of professional development opportunities

Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners

• KSA Professional Development Assessment for Organizations and Systems. National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (n.d.).
• The Workforce Development System & the Professional Development of Youth Service Professionals: Why Professional Development?. National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (n.d.). (listed under Background Material as “Why Professional Development?”
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (2006). KSAs (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) for Youth Professionals Jump Start.
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (2006). KSA Assessment for Professionals.
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (2006). Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Professional Development Plan.

Other Resources

• Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development/The Tides Center (n.d.). At the Table.
• The International Child and Youth Care Network. (1998). FICE Bulletin. [Complete discussion regarding the building of a code of ethics of the child and youth care field]
• Mattingly, M. (n.d.). Code of Ethics: Standards for Practice of North American Child & Youth Care Professionals. University of Pittsburgh.
• National Staff Development and Training Association. (2004). NSDTA Code of Ethics for Training and Development Professionals in Human Services: Case Scenarios and Training Implications.

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1.4D Understanding of the values and history of the disability field

Learning Objectives

• 1.4.D.1 Describe the values and history of the disability field as it applies to your organizational setting

Selected Activities

• Create a historical timeline listing relevant disability regulations that impact your work situations
• Create a graphic organizer or concept map (examples are at http://www.graphic.org/goindex.html) related to the history of the disability field

Demonstration of Learning - Show What You Know!

• Successfully complete historical exploration activity
  Historical Exploration Activity - Microsoft Word, Historical Exploration Activity - Adobe Acrobat.

Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners

• Disability History Timeline: Resource and Discussion Guide. National Consortium on Leadership and Disability for Youth (2007).
• Disability Knowledge and Identity Self-Assessment. National Consortium on Leadership and Disability for Youth (2008).
• Disability Knowledge and Identity Self-Assessment Key. National Consortium on Leadership and Disability for Youth (2008).

Other Resources

• Beyond Affliction: The Disability History Project. (1998).
• Center on Human Policy, Syracuse University. (2005). Links to Disabilities-History.
• International Disability Exchanges and Studies (IDEAS). (n.d.). Disability World.
• Museum of Disability History (n.d.).
• National Public Radio. (n.d.). Disability History Project.
• Smithsonian National Museums of American History (2000). The Disability Rights Movement.
• Social Security Online (n.d.). Legislative History of Social Security.
• Southeast Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (n.d.). Southeast DBTAC Portal.
• Springer, C. ed. (1999). Toward Inclusion: Meeting the Needs of Persons with Disabilities in the U.S. U.S. Society & Values.
• The Disability Rights Movement: A Brief History.
• VSA Arts (2003). A Brief History of the Disability Movement.

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1.5D Understanding of disability laws including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWWIIA)

Learning Objectives

• 1.5.D.1 List and describe the disability laws including 504, ADA, IDEA, and TWWIIA

Selected Activities

• Complete the Scavenger Hunt Exercise on Public Laws related to Accessibility Technology and Disabilities Directions
• Complete the WebQuest on Assistive Technology
• Develop a Scavenger Hunt or Webquest
  [ Scavenger Hunt - Microsoft Word ]
• Study the Northwest DBTAC ADA Fact Sheets
  

Demonstration of Learning - Show What You Know!

• Successfully complete of Scavenger Hunt/Web Quest
• Develop a "cheat sheet" on disability laws for organizational reference; train colleagues in its us

Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners

• Disability Inquiries in the Workforce Development System. National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth InfoBrief, Volume 9 (2004).
• New Departments Address Disability Issues. National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth InfoBrief, Volume 15 (2005).
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (2005). Breaking Down Technological Barriers- Issue 14.
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (2003). California Workforce Inclusion Act – Issue 5.
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (2004). Disability Legislation.
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (2004). IDEA Revised – Issue 10.
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (n.d.). Module 2: Accommodating Disability - Microsoft Word, Module 2: Accommodating Disability - Microsoft PowerPoint.
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (2003). Serving Youth with Disabilities Under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998: The Basics – Issue 4.
• The Pacer Center’s Project Swift (n.d.). Building Program Capacity to Serve Youth with Disabilities – Disability Legislation.
• The Pacer Center’s Project Swift (2004). Building Program Capacity to Serve Youth with Disabilities – ADA – Title I, Employment and Reasonable Accommodations in the Workplace.

Other Resources

• University of Maryland Accessibility Portal (2005).

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1.6D Knowledge of key concepts and processes including Individualized Education Program (IEP), Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE), transition, due process procedures, parents’ rights, informed choice, self determination, universal access, and reasonable accommodations

Learning Objectives

• 1.6.D.1 Identify and explain at least 5 key concepts and processes involved when you address each of the following related to your organizational setting: Individual Education Program (IEP), Individual Plan for Employment (IPE), transition, due process procedures, parents’ rights, informed choice, self determination, universal access, and reasonable accommodations

Selected Activities

• Review some IEP FAQs, articles, and cases
• Learn about IEPs in depth
• Take EACH of the Self Assessment Tests at the end of each section of the NSDE IEP Technical Assistance Guide
• Take the online IEP Tutorial
• Review "How to Write Smart IEPs" - Adobe Acrobat.

Demonstration of Learning - Show What You Know!

• Help a youth complete an IPE
• Using the Work-Based Learning - Youth Service Professional Section as a guide, design a program that addresses each of the 4 questions

Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners

• Financial Literacy Information for Young People with Disabilities. National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth InfoBrief, Volume 17 (2005).
• Gaylord, V., Golden, T.P., O'Mara, S., and Johnson, D.R. (Eds.). (2002). Impact: Feature Issue on Young Adults with Disabilities & Social Security Administration Employment Support Programs, 15(1) [online]. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration.
• National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCCSET) (n.d.). [Has compared the key provisions on transition in the new law compared to the existing law].
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (2004). Benefits Planning for Youth with Disabilities
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (2005). Youth Section: What Youth Need to Know and Do.
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (n.d.). Work-Based Learning — Youth Service Professional Section.
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (n.d.). Module 1: Disability Overview - Microsoft Word, Module 1: Disability Overview - Microsoft PowerPoint.
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (2006). Toward Universal Access in the Workforce Development System.
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (2004). Universal Access
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (2004). Universal Design for the Workforce Development System
• Personal Assistance Services on the Job. National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth InfoBrief, Volume 6 (2003).

Other Resources

• All Kinds of Minds (n.d.).
• Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) (n.d.).
• Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) (n.d.).
• Government of British Columbia. (n.d.). Resource Guide for Teachers of Students with Intellectual Disabilities.
• LDOnline (n.d.). LDOnline's IEP Resources.
• Massachusetts Department of Education. (2001). IEP Process Guide.
• NASDSE and National Education Association (NEA) (n.d.). [Co-authored IDEA and NCLB: The Intersection of Access and Outcomes (2nd Edition), which provides information on the intersection of IDEA and the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)]
• National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) (n.d.). [Has prepared The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: A Comparison of P.L. 105-17 (IDEA ’97) to H.R. 1350 as passed by Congress on November 19, 2004, a side-by-side that compares current law to the new law.]
• Schwablearning (n.d.). Your Child with Learning Difficulties.
• Smith, S. (2000). Creating Useful IEPs ERIC Identifier: ED449636.
• United Way Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (n.d.). United Way Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Fact Sheet.
• WGBH. (2002). MisUnderstood Minds.
• Wright, P. and Wright, P. (2001). "How to Write Smart IEPs" - Adobe Acrobat in From Emotions to Advocacy - The Special Education Survival Guide. Harbor House Law Press.
• WrightsLaw (n.d.) WrightsLaw IEPs.

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1.7D Understanding of privacy and confidentiality rights as they relate to disability disclosure

Learning Objectives

• 1.7.D.1 List and describe privacy and confidentiality rights as they relate to disability disclosure in your organizational setting

Selected Activities

• Develop and respond to a scenario that poses a question about disclosure; cite resources/information that back up your choice of response
• Reflect on an experience you had relating to disclosure and how you handled it
• Explain each of the following and how it impacts your organization:
  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Demonstration of Learning - Show What You Know!

• Successful completion of scenario or reflection
• Train others on privacy and confidentiality rights as they relate to disability disclosure

Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners

• Disability Inquiries in the Workforce Development System. National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth InfoBrief, Volume 9 (2004).
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (2005). The 411 on Disability Disclosure: A Workbook for Youth with Disabilities
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (n.d.). Assessment Guide Chapter 4: The Organizational Perspective.
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (2004). Hidden Disabilities
• Timmons, J., Podmostko, M., Bremer, C., Lavin, D., and Wills, J. (2004). Career Planning Begins with Assessment: A Guide for Professionals Serving Youth with Educational and Career Development Challenges. Washington, D.C.: National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth, Institute for Educational Leadership.
• US Department of Labor Civil Rights Center (n.d.). WIA Section 188 Disability Checklist .
• Youth and Disability Disclosure: The Role of Families and Advocates. National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth InfoBrief, Volume 21 (2008).

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