A useful framework for youth development will:
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identify the strongest evidence in the research literature about what matters for youth | |
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serve as a bridge between academic research and practice |
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establish standards which ensure real, fair, and consistent ways of providing quality programming for youth | |
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identify outcomes to evaluate the benefits of programs for participants and to guide program improvement |
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put information in terms of action - focus on what communities, institutions families, and programs can do to support youth in their community |
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for groups of diverse stakeholders – organizations, programs, funders, researchers, community members, and youth – as they work together in communities | |
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serve as a bridge between academic research and practice |