Youth Thrive

How to access this practice?

Visit https://www.nrcys.ou.edu/nrcys/services/training/youth-thrive to review available training options.

What is the practice? 

Youth Thrive is an approach that uses the latest science to identify protective and promotive factors that increase the likelihood that adolescents can develop into healthy, thriving adults. It is a framework that functions as a ‘lens’ for assessing current efforts and for making changes to the policies, programs, training, services, partnerships, and systems that impact young people. To advance its goals, Youth Thrive supported the development of a Training of Trainers (TOT) curriculum.  

Who is the practice for? 

Youth Thrive is an approach that is relevant to everyone who works with young people including: public system administrators, supervisors and caseworkers in child welfare, juvenile justice, homeless or mental health agencies, judges and legal advocates, staff at private agencies and nonprofits youth-serving organizations, educators, parents, caregivers, law enforcement and others who are concerned about teenagers and young adults.   

What outcomes does the practice produce? 

• Increase protective and promotive factors in youth (e.g., resilience, social connections, cognitive and social competence) 
• Improve family connections 
• Reduce risk factors (e.g., psychological factors and negative relationships) 

What is the evidence or research that supports the practice? 

Curran, T., & Wexler, L. (2017). School-Based Positive Youth Development: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Journal of School Health, 87(1), 71–80. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12467 

This study considered 711 evaluations of youth development programs to understand the benefits of school based positive youth development and how they enhance protective factors. The evaluation showed that positive youth development programs improved social confidence and healthy behaviors among youth. The results also showed that positive youth development programs enhanced intrapsychic predictors like well-being, self-worth, and decision-making skills.  

How is the practice implemented? 

Youth Thrive is not a specific program or intervention but a framework. The Youth Thrive framework should be used to improve systems by developing and amending policies, contracting processes, and staff training to align with the research in the framework. Additionally, the framework can be used to identify best practices, develop curriculums and materials, and inform new strategies.  

The Training of Trainers (TOT) is an intensive training that typically takes 3 to 4, consecutive, full days. The TOT includes a full presentation of the Youth Thrive framework and guiding premises taught by experienced trainers. The final day of the training allows participants to: ‘teach back’ sections of modules; explore using the course materials (Trainer’s Guide, Participant’s Manual, presentation slides, handouts, and resource material); receive feedback from TOT course instructors and participants; and develop a plan for how they will implement the Youth Thrive training. The TOT can be increased to four days, if needed for a specific group, depending on their level of experience as trainers.  

Who can implement the practice? 

Experienced trainers who attend Youth Thrive’s TOT may then train direct service staff and other practitioners, supervisors, program operators, and managers. 

What are the costs and commitments associated with becoming trained in this practice? 

Please contact the program for the most recent costs and commitments, as these may change.  

Cost of training varies and should be discussed and determined directly with the training providers, Youth Work Academy or the National Resource Center for Youth Services (NRCYS).  

What resources are useful for understanding or implementing the practice? 

• Youth Thrive website: https://cssp.org/our-work/project/youth-thrive/  
• Brief on Youth Thrive framework: https://cssp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Youth-Thrive-A-Framework-to-Help-Adolescents-Overcome-Trauma-and-Thrive.pdf  
• Youth Thrive Theory of change one pager: https://cssp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Youth-Thrive-Theory-of-Change-One-Pager.pdf 
• Introduction to Youth Thrive Framework: https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/resources/introduction-to-the-center-for-the-study-of-social-policys-youth-thrive-framework 
• Learn more about Youth Thrive training: https://www.youthworkacademy.org/youth-thrive-framework/ or https://www.nrcys.ou.edu/nrcys/services/training/youth-thrive 

Rating: Research-Informed  

Secondary Components: Grief-Informed & Trauma-Informed Practices; Building Relationships, Managing Emotions & Decision-Making Skills; Positive Safe & Supportive School Climate