What are at-risk behaviors?

At-Risk Behaviors is one of the eight focus areas in the YIPA competency framework. These behaviors are things such as substance abuse, self-sabotaging behavior, mental health concerns, and anti-social behavior. The safety of young people is perhaps the most important role of a youth worker. They simply must know how to recognize these behaviors and understand how to properly respond to them.

How can youth worker training address at-risk behaviors?

Our trainings address at-risk behaviors in a variety of specific at-risk topics. These topics improve a youth worker’s knowledge, skills, and confidence in areas such as mental health concerns, suicide prevention, harm reduction, and more. Youth workers can access these trainings through either interview-style training or On-Demand webinars.

What are the common warning signs of at-risk behaviors?

There are many common warning signs of at-risk behaviors, including a sudden loss of interest, sustained mood change, dangerous behaviors, and/or academic or family problems. However, when looking at these behaviors, it is crucial to take into consideration the effects of a developing adolescent brain on a youth’s behavior and personality, as well as other environmental stressors.

What age groups do the trainings target for at-risk behaviors?

Our at-risk behavior training is generally appropriate for working with youth from 6 to 25 years old. YIPA’s trainings help youth workers recognize the characteristics and warning signs of at-risk behaviors. For specific information on how our training can help your organization and the young people you support, reach out to us at training@yipa.org.

How can I find upcoming training webinars about at-risk behaviors topic?

Want to stay abreast of future trainings, we’ve got you covered! Simply sign up to Stay Connected and we’ll email you regarding new trainings in this, and the other seven competency areas that comprise excellence in youth work.

The Field of Youth Work

Youth Development

Communications

Ethics

Intercultural Engagement

Behavioral Intervention

At-Risk Behaviors

Mental Health Basics

Focus Area 7: At-Risk Behaviors

You'll develop life-saving skills to identify the warning signs of unhealthy and risky behavior, understand risky behaviors based on a knowledge of adolescent brain development, and know when to report and refer.

On-Demand Webinar

Exploring Trends in Tech Use and Internet Safety with Youth

Free to YIPA Members

1.5 hour training
95% approval rating
Focus Area 7: At-Risk Behaviors

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On-Demand Interview-Style

Recognizing Labor Trafficking

Free to YIPA Members

1.25 hour training
Focus Area 7: At-Risk Behaviors

Learn More

On-Demand Webinar

ADHD Awareness and Strategies for Youth Workers

Free to YIPA Members

1.5 hour training
100% approval rating
Focus Area 7: At-Risk Behaviors

Learn More

On-Demand Webinar

Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in Youth Work

Free to YIPA Members

1.5 hour training
98% approval rating
Focus Area 7: At-Risk Behaviors

Learn More

On-Demand Interview-Style

The Crisis of Our Black Youth in the Juvenile Justice System

Free to YIPA Members

1 hour training
99% approval rating
Focus Area 7: At-Risk Behaviors

Learn More

On-Demand Webinar

Recognizing Risks and Building Effective Responses to Human Trafficking and Exploitation

Free to YIPA Members

1.5 hour training
100% approval rating
Focus Area 7: At-Risk Behaviors

Learn More

On-Demand Webinar

Youth Substance Abuse Prevention

Free to YIPA Members

1.5 hour training
98% approval rating
Focus Area 7: At-Risk Behaviors

Learn More

On-Demand Webinar

The Incremental Strategy of Harm Reduction in Youth Work

Free to YIPA Members

1.5 hour training
100% approval rating
Focus Area 7: At-Risk Behaviors

Learn More

On-Demand Webinar

Relationships, Girls, and Juvenile Justice Interventions

Free to YIPA Members

1 hour training
100% approval rating
Focus Area 7: At-Risk Behaviors

Learn More

On-Demand Webinar

Suicide Prevention Steps Youth Workers Need to Know

Free to YIPA Members

1 hour training
100% approval rating
Focus Area 7: At-Risk Behaviors

Learn More

On-Demand Webinar

Self-Sabotaging Behaviors

Free to YIPA Members

2.5 hour training
99% approval rating
Focus Area 7: At-Risk Behaviors

Learn More

Live and On-Demand At-Risk Behaviors Training Program

Increasingly, youth workers are supporting young people with more complex and challenging behaviors. YIPA’s trainings provide relevant information, practical strategies, and skill building approaches that are easy to learn and apply. You’ll find our working with at-risk youth training is immediately helpful to you as a professional youth worker.

Our at-risk behaviors training program webinars are either live online or on-demand, allowing youth workers and organizations to plan training to fit into their schedules. You can choose between traditional webinar or interview-style trainings taught by actual youth workers experienced in working with at-risk youth.

Relevant and Timely Training Topics

You need topics that provide you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to address risky behaviors. Our working with at-risk youth training program includes topics that help youth workers understand harm reduction, suicide prevention, substance abuse, anti-social behaviors, mental health concerns, and self-sabotaging behaviors.

The goal of our at-risk behaviors training program live online and on-demand webinars and interviews is to provide youth workers a framework for approaching these challenging situations. Through participation in these trainings, you’ll gain confidence and competence in addressing challenging behaviors alongside your organization's specific protocols and policies.

Most of our trainings are 90-minutes long. For most licensing boards, each training web page provides you with everything you need to submit continuing education hours. Once you pass the quiz at the end of the training, you’ll receive a certificate of completion to submit to your board.

YIPA members have free, unlimited access to the live online and on-demand trainings, while non-members can pay a nominal fee for any of the individual training modules. If your organization is not a member, consider joining today!

Browse our training options and chart your course to build competence through our working with at-risk youth training opportunities.

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The Passionate Youth Worker podcast provides needed inspiration so you and your team are fully present in your service to young people.

The Quick Takes blog offers youth work insights and ideas you can grab and go to stay in the know. Quick Takes for busy youth workers.

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