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Raphael Travis, MSW, School of Public Health (Community Health Sciences), UCLA, 3170 Sawtelle Blvd., #209, Los Angeles, CA 90066, 310-390-4326, rtravis@ucla.edu
Objectives: This study explores two cities within metropolitan Los Angeles, (1) to determine the extent of developmental support for adolescents identified by (a) developmentally-focused atmospheres within and (b) strong ties between youth-serving community programs; (2) to determine the relationships between community crime levels, youth program network density, and program developmental quality; (3) to inform practice, in collaboration with youth programs, by clarifying their strengths, supports, priorities, and challenges in facilitating developmentally-focused program practices and strong community integration. Background: The healthy development of adolescents is positively associated with their available developmental resources and opportunities. These resources and opportunities can buffer environmental vulnerabilities and reduce health disparities. Although developmental opportunities exist for youth across settings, this study focuses on community youth programs to understand their operating practices and the strength of relationships between programs. Methods: The initial phase of this study involves a network analysis of youth program linkages. The second phase will determine the extent that developmentally-focused program characteristics, as identified in current literature, are salient features of youth programs within the study sample. Lastly, a qualitative assessment of program atmospheres will be conducted to inform practice on factors that promote or hinder the ability to provide a setting high in developmental-quality. Implications: Study findings have the potential to: (1) identify specific change concepts to inform community practice to improve the health and well-being of teens, (2) link the improvement of individual programs to systems improvement and community building, and (3) help to build program capacities in evaluation for improvement.
Learning Objectives: This study explores two cities within metropolitan Los Angeles
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Youth
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.