Positive youth development (PYD) is an approach, not a program, that guides communities in the way they organize services, opportunities and supports so that young people can be engaged and reach their full potential.

PYD is characterized by the following principles:

1) Strengths-Based: A positive focus on physical and mental health, education, social, vocational, creative, spiritual and civic outcomes for youth

2) Youth Engagement:  Youth are connected to themselves and positive peers, adults and communities

3) Youth-Adult Partnerships:  Youth work with adults to make decisions for program and policy planning, implementation and evaluation.

4) Culturally Responsive: People recognize and respond proactively to variations in backgrounds/cultures, including but not limited to ethnic, racial, linguistic, learning and physical abilities, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and geographic location to ensure inclusivity and equity.

5) Includes ALL youth not just youth in risky environments or exhibiting risky behaviors

6) Collaboration:  Private and public agencies; state and local; and the community, including families, work together to support youth

7) Sustainability:  Long-term planning through funding, capacity building, professional development, and evaluation exist for ongoing support of youth

So, what does this have to do with prevention?

The goals of primary prevention are consistent with those of the PYD approach. Both aim to reduce the increase or number of new cases of an undesirable condition. In fact, the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, November 2006 Supplement, "Improving Public Health Through Youth Development" recently outlined the need to use a PYD approach to address youth issues. To download the journal, click here.

In addition, in April 2008, the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) released their newsletter, the AMCHP Pulse, that urged states to focus their adolescent health efforts on positive youth development.  Click here to read the entire piece.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Child, Adolescent and School Health Unit has embraced the positive youth development approach in addressing adolescent health issues.

	Some examples of positive youth development frameworks include: 40 Developmental Assets  Building Assets Risk and Protective Factors  America's Promise  Resiliency  Helpful Links: Colorado Youth Development Team Healthy Kids Colorado Survey Results  Colorado Best Practices Website  ACT! For Youth  Youth Infusion