Competency Area 9: Program Design and Delivery
This competency area focuses on the knowledge, skills, and abilities that youth service professionals need to design and deliver quality programs that prepare youth, including youth with disabilities, for successful transition to employment and adulthood. 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.
9.1 Knowledge of workforce development system, including technology of workforce development (service management, performance measures, and assessment)
9.1 Knowledge of workforce development system, including technology of workforce development (service management, performance measures, and assessment)
Learning Objectives
- 9.1.1 List and describe the components of the national and local workforce development (WD) systems and the types of technology-based data systems they use.
Note: The workforce development system includes all national, state, and local level organizations that plan and allocate resources (both public and private), provide administrative oversight, and operate programs in order to assist individuals and employers in obtaining education, training, job placement, and job recruitment.
Selected Activities
- Research and map the local WD system—include all individuals, direct-service and intermediary organizations that serve, support or connect with youth and their roles in the WD system
Demonstration of Learning – Show What You Know!
- Identify the relationships between your organization and the other organizations and individuals in your map
Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners
- NCWD/Youth. (2003). Making the Connections: Growing and Supporting New Organizations – Intermediaries.
- NCWD/Youth. (2006). Performance Measures Adjustment & Incentives: Key Strategies for Providing Improved Services to Harder-to-Serve Populations in the Age of Accountability.
- NCWD/Youth. (2003). Performance Measurement in the New Workforce Development Environment.
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 13. (2005). The Right Connections: Navigating the Workforce Development System.
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 3. (2002). How Young People Can Benefit from One-Stop Centers.
- NCWD/Youth Research to Practice Brief, Issue 1. (2004). Building Lasting Connections to Employers: Developing Community-Wide Intermediaries.
- NCWD/Youth Short Cuts, No. 2. (2007). Building an Infrastructure to Serve Youth.
Other Resources
- Corporation for a Skilled Workforce (CSW). CSW Resources. [Various reports and resources are available from CSW, which aims to helps government, business and community leaders create good jobs.]
- John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development. (2009). Preparing the Workforce for a Green Jobs Economy. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
- National Center on Education & the Economy (NCEE). (2007). Tough Choices or Tough Times: State Consortium Publications.
- NCEE. (2006). Workforce Development in the United States: An Overview. Written by M.G. Clagett.
- National Governors Association Center for Best Practices. (2004). The Next Generation of Workforce Development Project. [A Six-State Policy Academy to Enhance Connections Between Workforce and Economic Development Policy.]
- NTAR Leadership Center. (2011). The Great Recession and Serving Dislocated Workers with Disabilities. [Perspectives from One-Stop Career Centers and Rapid Response Coordinators.]
- NTAR Leadership Center. (2009). Sector Strategies for Workforce Development and Opportunities for People with Disabilities: Webinar.
- U. S. Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration (DOLETA). Workforce Professionals Website. [This website provides resources, tools, updates, and links for workforce professionals.]
- Workforce Investment Works. Labor Market Information Data & Trends. [This resource from the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) provides real-time information on state and regional labor market trends.]
- WorkforceGPS.org. [This website is e-learning, knowledge sharing webspace that offers workforce professionals a dynamic network featuring innovative workforce solutions. Resources include webinars, curricula and tools, reports, and online discussions.]
9.2 Ability to work with groups, foster teamwork, and develop leadership and teamwork among youth
9.2 Ability to work with groups, foster teamwork, and develop leadership and teamwork among youth
Learning Objectives
- 9.2.1 Facilitate and support collaborative group teamwork, leadership development and fellowship with organizational youth
Selected Activities
- The Innovation Center – The Leading Edge of Youth Engagement
- The Innovation Center – Leading Change
Demonstration of Learning – Show What You Know!
- Have a group work on a small task:
- Watch the dynamics – who talks to whom, who looks at whom
- Explore ways you can help the group work more interactively
- Write down your results
- Develop a youth advisory board for your organization including a training and leadership development plan for the youth
Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners
- National Consortium on Leadership & Disability for Youth (NCLD/Youth). (2008). Am I Learning to Lead? [This is a self assessment tool for youth.]
- NCLD/Youth. (2008). Are They Learning to Lead? [This is a tool that staff can use to assess leadership skills in youth.]
- NCWD/Youth (2004). Youth Development & Leadership: Background Paper. Written by A. Edelman, P. Gill, K. Comerford, M. Larson & R. Hare.
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 11. (2005 ). Youth Development and Leadership in Programs. Written by P. Gill.
- NCWD/Youth Jump Start. Youth Development & Leadership Jump Start.
- National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC). PEPNet Online Index to Quality Practices, 2.3 Instructional Approach. [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.]
- Centre for the Study of Higher Education. (2002). Assessing Group Work. The University of Melbourne.
- The Community Toolbox. “Building Teams: Broadening the Base for Leadership” in Chapter 13: Orienting Ideas in Leadership.
- The Community Toolbox. “Training for Conflict Resolution” in Chapter 20: Providing Information and Enhancing Skills.
- Derek Bok Center for Teaching & Learning. Working in Groups. Harvard University.
- National Council of La Raza. (2004). Youth Development 102 – The Continuum of Youth Engagement. Written by M. Davis & J. Carey.
- System for Adult Basic Education Support (SABES). Being a Good Team Player. [Workforce Development: Promising Practice Example.]
9.3 Ability to manage programs and budgets
9.3 Ability to manage programs and budgets
Learning Objectives
- 9.3.1 Develop program plans such that the program meets the needs of the organization and community while simultaneously managing and recording budgetary requirements
Selected Activities
- Find the program plan for your organization.
- If it exists, examine how it traces to budgets
- If it does not exist, describe the three highest priorities in your organization and lay out a simple plan/budget
- Examine a case study or problem-based learning activity where participants have to analyze where the case study went wrong, or examine a true-to-life problem that often occurs with program or budget management (a program instructor quits, all the bids for program services come in over budget, you incur an unexpected expense, etc.)
Demonstration of Learning – Show What You Know!
- Create/expand the program plan for your organization
- Compare lessons learned in the case study to what goes on in your organization and to make recommendations for improvements or changes
Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners
- NCWD/Youth. (2006). Performance Measures Adjustment & Incentives: Key Strategies for Providing Improved Services to Harder-to-Serve Populations in the Age of Accountability.
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 18. (2006). Blending and Braiding Funds and Resources: The Intermediary as Facilitator.
Other Resources
- The Community Toolbox. Chapter 15: Becoming an Effective Manager.
- The Community Toolbox. Chapter 43: Managing Finances.
- The Evaluation Center. Evaluation Checklist Topics. Western Michigan University.
- Free Management Library. [This online library provides free, easy-to-access, online articles on a wide range of personal, professional & organizational development topics.]
- McNamara, C. All About Financial Management in Nonprofits.
- Nonprofit Risk Management Center. Risk Management Essentials.
9.4 Ability to design programs using best practices (considering age, stage, and cultural appropriateness)
9.4 Ability to design programs using best practices (considering age, stage, and cultural appropriateness)
Learning Objectives
- 9.4.1 Identify and analyze best practices in order to design or refine a program
Selected Activities
- Choose a specific activity, service or program delivered to youth by your workforce system. Identify three best practices for this activity, service or program.
- Compare your organization’s practices with best practices and existing national quality standards.
- Teams design a mentoring program for groups of youth with different profiles—ages, cultural diversity, disability status, risk factors, etc. Teams need to determine the goals of the program (increase self esteem, increase their awareness of career options and resources, etc.), identify best practices in mentoring, and then research developmental characteristics of the youth at the assigned age, culturally competent activities, accommodations for youth with disabilities, etc.
Demonstration of Learning – Show What You Know!
- Design a new program or re-design an existing program using the best practices you’ve identified
- Have the program critiqued by an “expert” in the field and adjust the program based on the critique
Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners
- National Alliance for Secondary Education & Transition (NASET). (2005). National Standards and Quality Indicators: Transition Toolkit for Systems Improvements.
- NCWD/Youth. Guideposts for Success.
- NCWD/Youth. (2007). The High School/High Tech Program Guide: A Comprehensive Transition Program Promoting Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math for Youth with Disabilities. Written by S. Rhodes.
- NCWD/Youth. Using the High School/High Tech Design Features to Meet the Needs of Youth with Disabilities: A Supplement to the High School/High Tech Program Manual.
- NCWD/Youth. Innovative Strategies. [This is a searchable database of workforce development programs and practices that serve youth with disabilities, either as a target population or as part of other youth populations.]
- NCWD/Youth. (2006). Paving the Way to Work: A Guide to Career-Focused Mentoring. written by J. Timmons, M. Mack, A. Sims, R. Hare, & J. Wills.
- National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC). Promising and Effective Practices Network (PEPNet).
Other Resources
- ACT for Youth. (2006). Positive Youth Development Resource Manual. [Read Section 5: Effective Youth Development Programming.]
- American Youth Policy Forum. (2003). Preparing Youth for Employment: Principles and Characteristics of Five Leading United States Youth Development Programs. Written by G. Partee.
- Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, & Technology (DO-IT). Center on Accessible Distance Learning (AccessDL). [This website provides guidance and resources on making technology-based training and education accessible to students and instructors with disabilities.]
- Harvard Family Research Project. Out-of-School Time (OST) Program Research and Evaluation Database. [This searchable database provides information from high quality evaluations of out-of-school time programs and initiatives.]
- LearningWork Connection. What Works: LearningWork Connection Publications. Center for Learning Excellence, The Ohio State University.
- National Council on Disability. [See NCD’s resources and publications under various policy areas including education, employment, housing, and transportation.]
- Partners for Youth with Disabilities (PYD). (2005). Best Practices Guide in Mentoring Youth with Disabilities.
- PYD. Mentoring 101: An Introductory Workshop for New Mentors.
- U.S. Department of Education. What Works Clearinghouse. [This website provides information on programs and practices in education that are backed by scientific evidence. Practice areas include Personal/Social Development and Dropout Prevention.]
- SABES, Massachusetts. (2004). Learning to Learn, Learning to Work. Written by D. Rosen, B. Bedell, M. Coughlin, M. Oesch, & S. Gabb. [A Guide to Developing and Implementing Integrated Curriculum in Comprehensive Collaborative Education and Employment Programs for Youth.]
- School & Main Institute for the Texas Workforce Commission Youth Program Initiative. (2003). Training Packets and Tools for Action on Building Your Year-Round Youth System; Engaging Out-of-School Youth; and Youth Investment in Rural Areas.
- Youth Development Institute. (2008). Promising Practices in Working with Young Adults.
9.5 Service management skills, including how to set measurable goals with tangible outcomes
9.5 Service management skills, including how to set measurable goals with tangible outcomes
Learning Objectives
- 9.5.1 Establish appropriate goals and priorities for the program, communicate goals and priorities to others
Selected Activities
- Describe the difference between measurable and non-measurable goals
- Identify the goals and expected outcomes in the mentoring program design in IX.4, describing how you communicate the goals and outcomes to stakeholders, and how you would update them as the program progresses
Demonstration of Learning – Show What You Know!
- Examine the goals and expected outcomes that exist at your organization and determine if the outcomes truly measure achievement of goals. Make the case in a brief white paper, or make suggestions for improvements
Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners
- National Alliance for Secondary Education & Transition (NASET). (2005). National Standards and Quality Indicators: Transition Toolkit for Systems Improvements.
- National Consortium on Leadership & Disability for Youth (NCLD/Youth). (2008). Plotting the Course for Success: An Individualized Mentoring Plan for Youth with Disabilities. Written by R. Hare.
- NCLD/Youth. (2008). Are They Learning to Lead? [This is a tool that staff can use to assess leadership skills in youth.]
- NCWD/Youth. (2006). Performance Measures Adjustment & Incentives: Key Strategies for Providing Improved Services to Harder-to-Serve Populations in the Age of Accountability.
Other Resources
- Gerbyshank, P. Set SMART Goals to Achieve More.
- LearningWork Connection. (2004). Goal Setting and Skills Attainment in Youth Programs. Center for Learning Excellence, The Ohio State University. Written by S. Kerka.
- LearningWork Connection. Goal Setting Tools and Tips. Center for Learning Excellence, The Ohio State University.
- LearningWork Connection. (2008). Goal Setting in WIA Youth Programs. Center for Learning Excellence, The Ohio State University. Written by C.R. Sturko Grossman.
- Ohio State University. (2008). Developing an Individual Service Strategy (ISS). Focused Futures Youth Development System Builder. Written by J. O. Wagner & M. E. Wonacott.
- School & Main Institute. (2003). You and the Youth in the Middle: Effective Case Management. Developed for the Texas Workforce Commission Youth Program Initiative.
- Thomas Adams, A., Franklin, S., & Taylor, R. (2004). Case Management: A Resource Manual. Prepared for the U. S. Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration.
- U. S. Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration. Improving Services & Performance: Toolkit for Effective Front-line Services to Youth. [Refer to strategies and tools in Ch. 2 Assessment And Development of an Individual Service Strategy; Ch.3 Meeting the Needs of the Labor Market; and Ch. 4 Implementing the Case Plan/Individual Service Strategy (ISS) and Monitoring Outcomes.]
9.6 Ability to evaluate and adjust programs based on outcome measurement and data
9.6 Ability to evaluate and adjust programs based on outcome measurement and data
Learning Objectives
- 9.6.1 Use multiple methods to collect, analyze, interpret assessment/evaluation data and make appropriate changes to programs based on evaluation feedback
Selected Activities
- Develop a logic model for a program, describe the type of data you would collect and how you would monitor it to make adjustments
- Collect outcome data from your organization. Place in usable format
Demonstration of Learning – Show What You Know!
- Collect and analyze a set of data from your organization. Suggest some possible improvements based on your analysis
Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners
- National Alliance for Secondary Education & Transition. (2005). National Standards and Quality Indicators: Transition Toolkit for Systems Improvements.
- National Consortium on Leadership & Disability for Youth (NCLD/Youth). (2008). Am I Learning to Lead? [This is a self assessment tool for youth.]
- NCLD/Youth. (2008). Are They Learning to Lead? [This is a tool that staff can use to assess leadership skills in youth.]
- NCWD/Youth. (2006). Performance Measures Adjustment & Incentives: Key Strategies for Providing Improved Services to Harder-to-Serve Populations in the Age of Accountability.
- National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC). PEPNet Online Results Assessment Tool. [Create a free login account to access this section of the PEPNet Online Tools for Program Improvement with NYEC.]
Other Resources
- The Community Toolbox. Chapter 36: Introduction to Evaluation.
- The Community Toolbox. “Achieving and Maintaining Quality Performance”in Chapter 40: Maintaining Quality Performance
- The Innovation Network. Point K: Practical Tools for Planning, Evaluation, and Action.
- National Institute of Standards & Technology. Baldridge National Quality Program.
- School & Main Institute for the Texas Workforce Commission Youth Program Initiative. (2003). Training Packets and Tools for Action on Evaluate It!: From Policy to Practice to Performance.
- U. S. Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration (DOLETA). Performance and Results Website. [This website assists professionals in the employment and training system in understanding how performance is measured, reported, and evaluated at DOLETA.]
- United Way. Outcome Measurement Resource Network.
- Youth Development Institute. (2006). Demystifying Outcomes.
9.7D Ability to access resources from special education, vocational rehabilitation, community rehabilitation programs, disability income support work incentives, and other disability-specific programs
9.7D Ability to access resources from special education, vocational rehabilitation, community rehabilitation programs, disability income support work incentives, and other disability-specific programs
Learning Objectives
- 9.7.D.1 Explore, list, describe and maintain a variety of updated resources from special education, vocational rehabilitation, community rehabilitation programs, disability income support work incentives, and other disability-specific programs
Selected Activities
- Identify the different disability-related resources in your area; create a resource map
Demonstration of Learning – Show What You Know!
- Answer a list of questions about where to find certain services or resources in your area based on your map
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 3. (2002). How Young People Can Benefit from One-Stop Centers.
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 10. (2004). IDEA Revised: Special Education Law Enacted.
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 6. (2003). Personal Assistance Services on the Job.
- The Pacer Center. Programs & Resources. [Learn more about programs and resources for enhancing the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families.]
- Project C3: Connecting Youth to Communities and Careers. [A project of the Pacer Center. ]
Other Resources
- The Job Accommodation Network (JAN). [Website of JAN, which provides free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues.]
- SourceAmerica. Nonprofit Agency Locator.
- Social Security Administration (SSA). The Red Book: A Summary Guide to Employment Supports for Individuals with Disabilities Under the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income Programs.
- SSA. Work Incentives – General Information.
- Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute. Research and Learning Resources. University of Wisconsin – Stout.
- Training & Technical Assistance For Providers (T-TAP). [This website provides various resources related to strategies for employment of people with disabilities. Topics covered include: customized employment, supported employment, self employment, job negotiation, and assistive technology.]
- U. S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. OSEP Ideas that Work.
- U. S. Department of Education. Rehabilitation Services Administration. [This website provides state by state information about the range of RSA funded programs and services.]
- Wisconsin Assistive Technology Resource Center. Assistive Technology.
- WorkSupport.com. [Website of the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center at Virginia Commonwealth University, which studies supports for assisting individuals with disabilities maintain employment and advance their careers.]
9.8D Knowledge of universal access and design, reasonable accommodation, auxiliary aids, and services
9.8D Knowledge of universal access and design, reasonable accommodation, auxiliary aids, and services
Learning Objectives
- 9.8.D.1 Identify and analyze universal access and design resources, reasonable accommodation, auxiliary aids, and services that accommodate individual youth needs
- 9.8.D.1 Apply universal access and design resources, reasonable accommodation, auxiliary aids, and services that accommodate individual youth with diverse backgrounds, characteristics and abilities
Selected Activities
- Research sources of information on universal design, including state guidelines, publisher and program guidelines, etc. and then “apply” them to case studies of youth with disabilities who want to participate in various program activities
- Analyze a website for how well in meets Accessible Web Design Standards
- Read Small Employers and Reasonable Accommodation and discuss how a small employer can make an accessible workplace
Demonstration of Learning – Show What You Know!
- Make suggestions to improve the accessibility of your organizational website
- Make a presentation on ways to make your workplace more accessible
Resources Developed by NCWD/Youth and Partners
- NCWD/Youth & Institute for Community Inclusion. (2008). Universal Design for the Workforce Development System.
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 14. (2005). Breaking Down Technological Barriers.
- NCWD/Youth InfoBrief, Issue 6. (2003). Personal Assistance Services on the Job.
- NCWD/Youth. (2005). Toward Universal Access in the Workforce Development System. Written by C. Richards.
Other Resources
- Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Reasonable Accommodations for People with Psychiatric Disabilities. Boston University.
- Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, & Technology (DO-IT). Center on Accessible Distance Learning (AccessDL). [This website provides guidance and resources on making technology-based training and education accessible to students and instructors with disabilities.]
- DO-IT. World Wide Access: Accessible Web Design. Written by D. Comden & S. Burgstahler.
- The Job Accommodation Network (JAN). [Website of JAN, which provides free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues.]
- Training & Technical Assistance For Providers (T-TAP). [This website provides various resources related to strategies for employment of people with disabilities. Topics covered include: customized employment, supported employment, self employment, job negotiation, and assistive technology.]
- U. S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (1998). Auxiliary Aids and Services for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities.
- U. S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. OSEP Ideas that Work.
- U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Small Employers & Reasonable Accommodation.
- U. S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Employee Relations: Affirmative Defenses.
- U. S. OPM. Q & A For Applicants & Employees with Disabilities and Their Co-Workers.
- WorkSupport.com. [Website of the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center at Virginia Commonwealth University, which studies supports for assisting individuals with disabilities maintain employment and advance their careers.]
