Organizational & Programmatic Components of Effective Youth Programs

• Clear mission and goals
• Staff are trained, professional, supportive, committed, and youth-friendly
• Safe and structured environment
  

• Youth involvement at all levels including administration and the Board of Directors

• Physically and programmatically accessible
• Staff are aware, willing, prepared, and supported to make accommodations

• Connections to community and other youth-serving organizations

• Knowledge of resources (national and community-specific) for youth with disabilities
• Partnerships and collaboration with other agencies serving or assisting youth with disabilities
  

• Focus on each young person’s individual needs, assets, and interests

• Hands-on experiential and varied activities
• Youth involvement in developing and implementing activities
  

• Hands-on involvement at all programmatic levels such as planning, budgeting, implementing, and evaluating programs

• Opportunities for success
• Opportunities to try new roles
• Youth leadership
  

• Multiple opportunities to develop and practice leadership skills
• Varied, progressive leadership roles for youth: small group, large group, event, program
  

• Mentoring/role models

• Ensure peer and adult role models and mentors include people with disabilities

• Personal responsibility

• Self-advocacy skills building
• Independent living information and assessment (career, employment, training, education, transportation, recreation, community resources, life skills, financial, benefits planning)
  

• Family involvement and support

• Opportunities for youth to develop self-awareness, identity, and values

• Education on community & program values and history

• Disability history, law, culture, policies, and practices

NCWD/Youth | c/o Institute for Educational Leadership
4455 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 310 | Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: 1-877-871-0744 (Toll Free)
TTY: 877-871-0665 (Toll Free)