The Youth Development component of Partners in Education is about developing a community support system for our youth.  This was designed because of the many challenges facing our youth today.  The Youth Development Program collaborates with and strengthens the work of the Green Bay Area Drug Alliance.  The goal of the Youth Development Program is to create and sustain communities that enhance the youth assets of resilience and competence, and reduce youth risk factors related to substance abuse, thus assuring successful transition into adulthood.

The Youth Development Program works to educate the community about the value of the 40 Developmental assets and to collaborate with community partners to provide asset-building activities for youth throughout Brown County.  Community partners meet regularly to share information about activities at the Healthy Communities—Healthy Youth quarterly meetings.  The Youth Development program maps youth opportunities throughout the community and shares these resources with youth through a teen e-center.  Funding for community youth activities is sometimes available through Partners in Education through a Drug Free Communities grant.

Another component of the Youth Development Program is to create and sustain a network of youth leaders with knowledge of important community issues, skills in networking, skills in project management, and knowledge of youth leadership roles in the community.  Partners in Education sponsors the Project Management training for area high schools and sponsors the Brown County Teen Leadership program.

For more information, call Rebecca Deschane, youth development manager at 920-593-3406 or e-mail rdeschane@titletown.org.