Ensuring Program Quality and Belonging
“The need to belong – to connect deeply with other people and secure places, to align with one’s cultural and sub-cultural identities, and to feel like one is a part of the systems that surround them – appears to be buried deep inside our biology, all the way down to the human genome.”
Allen, Kern, Rozek, McInereney and Slavich (2020)
In Belonging: A Review of Conceptual Issues, an Integrated Framework, and Directions for Future Research
This session will provide a framework that outlines the eight key indicators of a high-quality youth-development program, with a particular focus on youth belonging. Participants will understand the essential and positive role that a sense of belonging plays in high quality 4-H programs and overall youth development. During the live webinar session, hosted by two PYD champions, participants will experience the Program Quality module of the PYD curriculum, a curriculum that they can then use to train volunteers and teen leaders on the concept of program quality and youth belonging.
Before you begin – please register for one of the two required webinars for Session Four
Please use the link provided below to register for the learning circle sessions, which will commence after the completion of Session 5
Please complete the self-paced learning assignments listed below in the order they are presented.
Clicking on the button will open a new tab. To return to the session content, click on the PYD Academy in your browser’s tab list. This will take you back to where you left off.
Step One – Watch
Characteristics of Quality Youth Development
This video, produced by Texas A & M University provides an introductory overview of the eight features of positive youth development programs that you will read about in more depth.
Step Two – Read
When youth experience belonging they feel recognized and valued, promoting engagement, responsibility, and self-confidence.
Eccles & Gootman (2002)
National Academies
Features of Positive Developmental Settings
In this paper you will read about:
This reading is a chapter from a larger volume entitled Community Programs to Promote Youth Development. Many in the PYD field consider this work a must-have! If you are interested in the full book, it can be download in PDF form for no charge. But for the Academy we are asking you to read the chapter that describes the essential features of high-quality youth development programs.
We are having you read this paper because:
The term “program quality” is used frequently when referring to youth development programs, often with little understanding of what that term means. We want you to have a more precise understanding of the eight features of PYD programs that indicate quality. In addition, we want you to know what those features look like when they are present in programs, as well as understanding what the opposite of each feature looks like.
As you read don’t worry too much about:
This chapter provides a lot of background information for each of the eight indicators. While it is good to know the background, don’t feel obligated to digest all the details!
Pay close attention to:
The eight features, and what they look like in practice. By the end of the Academy we want you to know and understand these features. Pay particularly close attention to “Opportunities to Belong,” as that feature is a highlighted in the 4-H Thriving Model.
Step Three – Explore and Broaden Your Understanding
It is likely that you will hear about the Essential Elements of Belonging, Mastery, Independence and Generosity in 4-H. These four elements are drawn from an original group of eight developed internally by 4-H that are similar to those identified by Eccles and Gootman. The Essential Elements are also reflected in the 4-H Thriving Model. The Essential Elements are an easy to understand, simplified way of describing the important ingredients of a high quality 4-H program, and remain useful for 4-H practice. There are several important resources about the Essential Elements that you may find useful to your 4-H work.
Since the Essential Elements were introduced for use in 4-H there has been considerable advancement in the science of learning and development and positive youth development. The 4-H Thriving Model reflects these advancements. In addition, remember that the 4-H Thriving Model is a tested theory of change that describes how 4-H works its magic with youth. The Essential Elements, on the other hand, is a useful framework that describes 4-H practice, but does not provide a complete, testable, theory of change.
Step Four – Read
Allen, Kern, Rozek, McInereney, & Slavich (2022).
In this paper you will read about:
The idea of belonging at first glance seems ease to define. This is because belonging is a crucial part of our human existence. Generally, when we think about belonging in 4-H it has mostly to do with social belonging and the extent to which youth feel included, accepted, understood, and supported. But belonging has other aspects behind social. For example, we can belong to a place or to a culture. This paper explores the multifaceted nature of belonging – how we define it, measure it, and cultivate it.
We are having you read this paper because:
This paper outlines a four-part framework to help us organize what we mean by belonging, and more importantly, think about how we can build belonging in youth development programs. This framework, which includes (1) competency for belonging; (2) opportunity for belonging; (3) motivation for belonging; and (4) perceptions of belonging.
As you read don’t worry too much about:
This paper presents a broad-reaching review of the nature of belonging, and as such, contains a lot of references to aspects of belonging that may or may not be cultivated in youth development programs. Try to understand the basis ideas, but don’t get too bogged down in the specific details.
Pay close attention to:
The four elements of the framework that is presented. Take a moment and think about how each one can be enhanced to improved belonging in your 4-H programs. You will share these ideas in the session reflection.
Step Five – Reflect and Share
Because belonging is so important in 4-H, and a key component of the 4-H Thriving Model, today’s reflection will focus on how we can enhance each of the four aspects of belonging that we read about earlier.
Share your reflections with the academy Community. Note that on this padlet your answers are organized by each of the four belonging elements. Be sure to enter your reflections in the matching section.
Step Six- Download and Print for Reference
Step Seven – Prepare for Live Session
We have prepared a packet of handouts that will be used during the webinar. Be sure to download and print the full packet before the live session.
AND
Download and print the Davey Cutout
Step Eight – Attend ONE of the Live Webinar Sessions
Session Four of the Academy wraps up with a two-hour live webinar session. In this session, trained 4-H Thriving Model Curriculum facilitators engages you in activity-based learning to further your understanding of Program Quality and Belonging. Facilitators uses activities from the PYD Curriculum, a resource that you can use to train your staff and volunteers.
Step Nine – Do the Evaluation
After you have participated in the live webinar, be sure to come back here to complete the Session Four Evaluation. Your input on this pilot academy is critical to helping us shape the best possible academy going forward!