As youth service providers we are all about human interaction – as we should be. This is how we best connect with others to work on creating positive changes. In addition to this important human touch, youth service providers need to be where the youth and families are today – and that includes using web-based technologies and platforms to reach our consumers. Imagine a street outreach program that refused to go out on the streets to connect with youth in need – most would find that approach ineffective. It is the same with the internet – if that is where youth are, that is where we must go to reach them, and at times, effectively serve them.
- Close the digital communication gap. As one leader stated “Youth and adults have always had a communication gap but the digital age has magnified this exponentially. Youth programs and their staff will need to be able to communicate on all platforms that appeal to young people and cannot rely on methods and materials used by adults.” Consider what this means for your youth program, as this may be very different than your standard approach.
- Tap into social media and networking sites. If your agency is not active on popular social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, become active. Understand the ever-evolving digital platforms (here is most popular for teenagers and young adults as of February 2016) and stay informed so as to best determine 1) what the platform is/ does, and 2) if you can leverage that platform to support your work/purpose. Consider some big questions: Who do you want to engage? What is the purpose? What do you need to know about the various web-based platforms? How can each be leveraged to support your work/purpose? Who can best design and create content to share? What information is retained? What policies and procedures do you need to have in place? Not all platforms will meet your same needs – be thoughtful as you consider your options. And remember that texting is a social media platform too, and one which is the most used by youth. At Youth Collaboratory’s 2015 Connection event, Calvin Smith talked about how technology is changing social services, with two examples, one including texting as a case management tool.
- Become agile at delivering virtual programming. Within this new reality, youth services providers will need to become less reliant on place-based programming and consider how we take our work virtual. For example, Jessica Trybus’s Connection talk is about using gaming, in particular in workforce development programs. New applications for developing life skills, learning money management, and connecting to community resources are just a few examples of what has already been created and is available to include in your services toolkit.
- Build the skills of the youth in your programs. Who knows these platforms and which are most popular to your demographics better than the youth you are serving? Get them involved at every level, as it creates opportunities for youth to be empowered, exercise leadership skills, and contribute. Youth with the support of an adult can drive this effort and help an agency to create an effective social media/web-based approach that will engage and serve the target population. These are skills that are highly sought after (and that many agency staff have not yet developed), so consider how you can employ youth with these skill sets in your programs.
Acknowledgments
Youth Collaboratory thanks the agency leaders that contributed for this paper their thoughts on what youth service agencies need in place to develop and maintain relevant and sustainable youth service programs: Patricia Balke, Executive Director Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services; Lisa Goldblatt Grace, Co-Founder & Director My Life My Choice; Ella Holsinger, Vice President Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania; Carlos Lejnieks, Executive Director Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson & Union Counties; Mary Fraser Meints, Executive Director Youth Emergency Services; and Mack McGhee, Superintendent Department of Youth Rehabilitation Service, New Beginnings Youth Development Center.
