Invitee Checklist and Outreach Resources

The vision for Youth Thrive in Vermont includes providing the Youth Thrive training within AHS districts to a cross-systems team of providers.  The Youth Thrive framework applies to anyone whose work is directed toward young people, and your list of potential invitees to a Youth Thrive training in your area may include some people and efforts that you may not have thought of.  This list is meant to prompt thinking about where you conduct outreach.  It’s not meant to be a comprehensive list, and it will grow in time as more partners surface.

 

Your district’s AHS Field Services Director

The Field Services Directors have been involved in helping to roll out Youth Thrive and stand ready to help spread the word and get people to the training.  Checking in with them will help you to focus your outreach.

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Schools

Educators need exposure to the Youth Thrive framework and sending outreach documents to your local middle and high schools is a great first step.  Target Principal and Superintendent offices if you are sending a cold contact, but don’t be afraid to utilize existent contacts you might have within to the education department to help you get the information in the right hands.  While we want teachers to get trained, the schools can be a conduit to many other positions that would also benefit including: school librarians, school guidance staff, student assistance professionals, coaches, staff and community members working in afterschool programs, members of local PTA’s. Ask your schools to send home invitations for parents to join too.

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Service providers that exist in each district

Some services exist in some capacity within each of the AHS districts.  To that end, make sure that your outreach includes:

• District Office – ideally make sure that the District office is involved in early planning so that as many social workers as possible can be included. DCF FSD social workers are being trained in Youth Thrive framework through their regular training curricula.  The Economic Services Division, Reach-Up, is also planning to conduct Youth Thrive training to staff as well; they are important resources to include.

• Designated Agency/Children’s Mental Health

• Vermont Coalition of Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs-  A link to the VCRHYP provider in your area can be found here.

• The Vermont Youth Development Program- A link to the YDP in your area can be found here.

• The JOBS program-  A Link to the JOBS program can be found here.

• Health Care Practitioners, Emergency Medical Technicians and First Responders, School Nurses

• If your community has an active group working on Children and Family issues, such as Strengthening Families or a Promise Community team, including them can help to round out their understanding of what resources exist for families that have both younger children and adolescents/young adults.

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Other community partners

• Prevention Coalitions – A list of the Prevention Coalitions for each AHS district can be found here.

• Your local Teen Centers/Rec Centers/Boys & Girls Clubs.

• Leaders of scouting programs.

• Faith communities, particularly those that have youth groups.

• Summer Youth Workforce Investment Act providers, or other agencies in your area that are working with youth on developing employment skills

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Online and social media outreach

• Front Porch Forum is a no cost way to gain interest and inform community members of upcoming trainings

• Youth Thrive Informational Video can be found here.

• Use your agencies Facebook page to generate interest in the Youth Thrive Protective and Promotive Factors, as well as to get the word out about upcoming training opportunities. Here are some examples:

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Handouts and brochures

• Print out Youth Thrive handout overviews and brochures to have out around your offices as well as in other community partner offices and public spaces. Youth Thrive Protective and Promotive Factors for Healthy Development handout can be found here.

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Workshop proposals

• Submit an Introduction to Youth Thrive workshop proposal at regional and statewide conferences. Here is a sample workshop description:

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Other resources

• Employers who partner with you on developing employment opportunities for young people.

• Chamber of Commerce- Communities have to complete development plans that include thinking about how specific populations fit into the community.  These groups are often keen to think about how youth can be engaged in the community development plan and planning process.  The Chamber of Commerce is usually a good place to start when trying to reach out.

• Service organizations – Kiwanis, Lions Club, Rotary, Masons, etc.

• Partner with local colleges and their education departments, psychology departments, social work and counseling programs (UVM, Castleton University, Middlebury, Norwich University, Champlain College, St Michaels, CCV, Vermont Law School, Green Mountain College, Vermont Tech College, Bennington College, Lyndon State College, Johnson State College, College of St. Joseph, Sterling College). Contact HR to set up an in-house training for faculty, students and professors.

• Local Police/Fire/Emergency Services- Many locations have a community room at no cost to conduct the Youth Thrive training.

• 2 for 1- Team up with another Youth Thrive trainer from the contact list and see what other possibilities you come up with to provide further outreach across several Vermont communities.

• Be Creative- If you have an outreach idea but don’t know who to contact or how to execute it, email the implementation team at YouthThriveVT@wcysb.org and we will work with you to help develop your idea and get you in contact with the right people.

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Sample Outreach Letter 

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