Purple+Week+6

Consistent with your readings on youth development organizations and systems, I'd like you to consider the following questions:

1. The professionalization of youth work is getting more and more attention as the role of adults in the lives of youth is being recognized. Based on what you have read throughout the semester, and based on your own experiences – what are the challenges that youth organizations face in trying to adopt staff development practices and greater professionalization of youth work in general? What needs to be done to increase the professional profile of youth work in general? Identify some outside resources of organizations and initiatives that are dedicated to the professional development of youth work from a positive youth development perspective. Provide links and citations of what you find!

2. Imagine that as a component of a major federal funding initiative, there is a funder-imposed mandate which requires you to hire staff that “are representative of the communities that your program serves.” This is generally understood to mean that if your community is primarily African American (or Latino, or Asian/Pacific Islander, etc.) that you will hire a staff that is predominantly African American (or Latino, or…). What do you think about this? Is this necessary? Is this is a good idea? Strengths? Drawbacks? Personal opinion on this is good. Informed opinion (backed by research and/or organizational best-practices) is better!

Focus on developing a response based on class readings, personal experiences, and any outside sources that you choose to bring in to the discussion. Acknowledge outside sources at the end of your post, and if you find any direct links to information or sources that support your positions, include these at the end of your post as well. **Post your responses to these questions (initial and followups) by Tuesday, 2/21/12 at 12:00pm to receive full credit.**