Mandated reporting can feel overwhelming. The laws vary and the requirements can be confusing. It’s not an easy decision. And nobody wants to get it wrong because protecting young people...
The benefits of youth worker training are often lost when times get tough. Training is often the first thing to go when budget cuts are needed. This is true even...
Social and emotional learning (SEL) helps young people of all ages better understand their emotions. Although SEL is common in the context of students and school, any type of youth...
Resilience is often thought of as the ability to bounce back from difficulties. So, in that sense, it’s a kind of toughness. But that view is a bit one dimensional....
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can present challenges and strengths when you work with young people. As you look deeper at ADHD, you will notice opportunities to encourage young people to create...
When I first entered the youth worker field in the early 1990s, there were many more funding resources for youth-serving programs than there are today. So, it wasn’t critical for...
Cancel culture can be used for good, as a way to demand social change. It’s helped combat wrongdoing like racism, sexism, and LGBTQIA+ bias. But it can also be used...
Motivation plays an important role in achieving any meaningful change. When a young person is struggling with change, you can be a great resource to help them find their motivation....
De-escalation can be challenging as you care for the young person, others, and yourself, all at the same time. And the intensity of the moment when a young person’s behavior...