Youth Development Conference Sept 11-12 focuses on Mental Health and Wellbeing of Youth, Supports Out-of-School-Time Field

The Positive Youth Development Institute, a statewide youth development conference, will take place September 11 and 12 at the DoubleTree hotel by Hilton in Portland.  The conference, which is geared towards educating and rejuvenating individuals who work with youth, will feature an impressive lineup of keynote speakers, a youth panel, and a variety of workshops that will allow attendees to walk away with latest research, programming ideas, and activities to bring back and implement into their workplace.

“This conference is for those working directly with youth; working in an administrative capacity of a youth-oriented organization or school; or individuals or industry wishing to learn more about, and have opportunity to network with, the out-of-school-time field,” says Erin Frati, director of the Maine Afterschool Network. “While this conference has something for everyone, we do place emphasis on how the presented research relates to out-of-school-time, as we want to shine a light on the opportunities afterschool and summer programs can give to youth, families, and communities.”     

Learning loss and mental health challenges created by the pandemic are prevalent among young people. The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress found that math, reading, civics, and U.S. history scores for students decreased, in some cases with scores lower than all previous assessments dating back to 2005. School attendance has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, with estimates that the percentage of students who were chronically absent doubled from 8 million pre-pandemic to approximately 16 million in 2022. The prevalence of anxiety and depression among youth is also alarming. The CDC’s most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that more than two in five high schoolers report feeling sad or hopeless, an increase of 50 percent since 2011, and the U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory raises the alarm about the epidemic of loneliness and isolation in the United States.  In the 2021 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS), 45% of middle and 49% of high school students did not feel they mattered in their community. The rate of youth anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness in Maine has reached crisis levels. Mattering and social connectedness are protective factors that reduce the likelihood of poor mental health and other risks such as suicide and substance use. Decades of research demonstrate that afterschool and summer programs can help stem these losses.

Pandemic relief funding has created a once in a generation chance to expand these opportunities for youth. To date, $6 billion in pandemic relief funds have been invested in afterschool and summer, providing opportunities for 3 million more children. But 25 million children are still left out – for every child in a program, five are waiting to get into a program in Maine. Most school districts still have a significant amount of relief funding that could be invested in afterschool and summer programs, but those funds must be spent by Fall 2024. 

Brodrick Clarke will be joining the Positive Youth Development on September 11 as conference keynote. Clarke, connected with the National Summer Learning Association, has profound understanding of the challenges faced by educators and students alike, which drives his commitment to ensuring equitable access to enriching educational opportunities, bridging the achievement gap that often widens during summer months.  As a seasoned professional development trainer, Brodrick incorporates research and best practices with interactive simulations to engage his audience in dynamic learning experiences. With his exceptional leadership skills, strategic vision, and unwavering passion for empowering youth through education, Brodrick Clarke continuously plays a pivotal role in driving positive change in youth serving organizations.  

September 12 will feature a group training by Partnerships in Education and Resilience (PEAR) Institute. The PEAR Clover Model of Youth Development is a comprehensive framework developed by the PEAR Institute to promote positive youth development. This model is based on four key domains, represented by the four leaves of a clover –  Active Engagement, Assertiveness, Belonging, and Reflection Each leaf represents a different aspect of a young person’s development that contributes to their overall well-being. The model highlights the interrelatedness of these domains and emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to youth development. It recognizes that young people are influenced by various systems such as family, school, peers, and community, which can shape their growth in each domain. By addressing all four domains through intentional programming, PEAR seeks to provide opportunities for young people to thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and morally. The PEAR Clover model offers professionals in the field with a flexible yet comprehensive framework for promoting positive youth development across multiple settings.

Also featured at the Positive Youth Development Institute will be learning sessions by: Maine Resilience Building Network, The Afterschool Alliance, The Maine Department of Education, Maine Math and Science Alliance, Go2Science, Count Me In, Maine’s STEM Librarian and more.  To learn more about the Positive Youth Development Institute, and to register visit www.pydi.net.