Information Support of State Assistance to Youth Development

Positive youth development (PYD) is a strengths-based approach to youth programming which has been tested with success in largely higher income settings with mostly White youth. This study aims to identify the extent to which organizations who work in an urban context serving predominately African American youth incorporate PYD principles into their work. Organizations located in Baltimore, Maryland working with youth ages 14–24 were recruited for participation. In-depth interviews were conducted with organization leaders in this qualitative study. Thematic analysis using a deductive approach identified common themes and activities across organizations that aligned with PYD elements. All 17 youth-facing organizations interviewed described organic use of PYD principles through program activities regardless of prior knowledge of the PYD framework. Organizations prioritized activities to create an empowering environment for youth, build on youth assets and agency. The PYD principle of contribution was less explicitly incorporated into program activities, however organization leaders reported behavioral observations of youth exemplifying contribution. This real-world study demonstrates widespread utilization of PYD principles across a range of youth engagement activities in Baltimore. The results of this study provide insight on how organizations working with youth of color may naturally infuse elements of PYD into their programs. Formal training and evaluation support for these organizations may help achieve positive youth outcomes through application of PYD frameworks.

Strengthening Informal Supports to Promote Behavioral Health of Youth With Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities in Rural Communities

“CPS Sucks, but… I think I’m better off in the system:” Family, social support, & arts-based mentorship in child protective services

Traditional treatment models are insufficient to meet youth mental health needs, particularly in marginalized communities. A public health approach that includes mental health promotion can broaden impact. Sports-Based Youth Development (SBYD) programs leverage sport to teach life skills and promote positive youth development (PYD) in socially vulnerable communities. More rigorous research is needed to understand how SBYD staff support youth within specific socio-ecological contexts to promote PYD. This qualitative study examined how SBYD staff supported predominantly Black/Latine youth in low child opportunity neighborhoods. Direct service staff (N = 7) participated in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analyses yielded three themes: Staff provided support that was (1) holistic (e.g., emotional, instrumental, and informational support), (2) contextually-responsive (e.g., informed by similar lived experiences, collaborated across settings), and 3) flexible. Findings illustrate that SBYD staff are integral to the social safety net and can play a critical role in strengthening mental health for vulnerable youth.

Petition for a Comprehensive Law against Gender-Based Violence in Cuba

The relevance of the research topic is determined by the importance of the socioeconomic functions performed by a small agrarian business to increase rural employment, provide consumers with quality products, as well as the need to choose priority directions for the development of this sector of the agrarian economy in modern market conditions characterized by the introduction of anti-Russian sanctions and the declared import substitution policy. The purpose of this scientific work is to study the trends and justification of the priority directions for the development of small agribusiness, taking into account the natural resource potential of the regions and the implemented agricultural policy. In the course of the study, general scientific methods of cognition were used: monographic, dialectical, abstract-logical, methods of economic analysis and synthesis, computational-constructive, economic and statistical. The study highlighted the development trends of small agricultural business, identified the problems of its functioning at the present stage. Summarizes the positive experience of the regions of the Central Black Earth Region in the implementation of measures to support the development of small businesses. On the basis of the analysis performed, priority areas for development are identified: improving competitiveness and production efficiency in small business structures; development of consumer cooperation (outsourcing); establishing a system of interaction between small agribusiness and the state; developing organic agricultural production in small business structures; digitization of the rural economy and improvement of information support for rural entrepreneurs; development of youth, socially oriented entrepreneurship. The implementation of the proposed directions for the development of small agrarian business will enhance the efficiency of the agro-industrial complex, the sustainable development of rural areas, and the formation of eco-and socially-oriented behavior among rural entrepreneurs.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate a collaborative community-based program that aims to a) increase the health, safety and talent development of youth, and b) contribute to the reduction of socioeconomic inequalities. MethodsA difference-in difference design with two separate cross-sectional samples in 2018 (n = 984) and 2021 (n = 413) among 0- to 12-year-olds with an intervention and comparator condition was used. The program, called Promising Neighbourhoods, consists of collaboration with community stakeholders, data-based priority setting, knowledge-and theory-based policies, and evidence-based interventions. The program was implemented in three neighbourhoods which were compared with three similar comparator neighbourhoods in which the program was not implemented. Logistic difference-in-difference regression was used to test effectiveness of the intervention on informal parenting support, outdoor-play, sport club membership, general health and risk of emotional and behavioural difficulties and to examine differences in intervention effects between children with a lower or higher socioeconomic status. ResultsA significant intervention effect of the Promising Neighbourhoods program after two-years was found for outdoor-play (OR 0.61; 95%CI 0.37, 0.99). No other significant intervention effects were found for other outcomes. No different interventions effects were found for children with a lower or higher socioeconomic status on outcomes. ConclusionThe findings of this study indicate a positive intervention effect for one of the outcomes in 0- to 12-year-olds. Further mixed-methods evaluation research and using longer follow-up periods are needed to examine the value of these type of programs. Further development of Promising Neighbourhoods seems warranted. Trial registrationThis study was prospectively registered in the Netherlands National Trial Register (Number: NL7279) on 26 September 2018.

The aim of this study was to investigate the development of identity safety—where all participants are valued, included, and can engage without fear of stigmatization—among underrepresented youth and adults in a community‐based youth development program. Qualitative in‐depth interviews were conducted daily with three youth and two adult mentors about their experiences in the program (a total of 32 interviews). Data analysis revealed that participants developed identity safety through engaging in programmatic activities that explored youth's identities, practicing authenticity in daily interactions, and facilitating dynamic communication across intergenerational friendships. Participants described sustaining identity safety through formal social support spaces, mutual support in group settings, and peer support. Ultimately, these experiences set the foundation for youth and adults to engage in positive risk‐taking and self‐reflection. Implications for researchers and youth development programs are discussed.

The purpose of the present study was to (a) examine how acculturation and social support inform Latinos' parenting behaviors, controlling for gender and education; (b) describe parenting styles among Latino immigrants while accounting for cultural elements; and (c) test how these parenting styles are associated with family conflict. A 3 step latent profile analysis with the sample (N = 489) revealed best fit with a 4 profile model (n = 410) of parenting: family parenting (n = 268, 65%), child-centered parenting (n = 68, 17%), moderate parenting (n = 60, 15%), and disciplinarian parenting (n = 14, 3%). Parents' gender, acculturation, and social support significantly predicted profile membership. Disciplinarian and moderate parenting were associated with more family conflict. Recommendations include integrating culturally based parenting practices as a critical element to family interventions to minimize conflict and promote positive youth development.

The article considers the global networking as the factor of influence of the formation of life projects of modern Russian youth. The author emphasize that social networks currently influence on the development of sports and on the involvement of representatives of various groups and especially youth on the systematic physical culture and sports activities. Global network Internet contains the information, which could cause harm to health and physical development of youth, what causes the need for revitalization of the state and local authorities, aimed to providing information support to the population of physical culture and sports activities, taking advantage of opportunities of the Internet of the propaganda of effective sports and recreation systems.