Sustainability and Social Justice

Training the "Wizards": A model for building self efficacy and peer networks among Urban youth workers

Document Type

Article

Abstract

This article presents a community's efforts to address the professional development needs of frontline youth workers. A coalition designed a 13-week Youth Worker Training Institute to increase youth workers' knowledge, skills, self-efficacy, and professional networks. After the Institute, participants reported feeling more skillful, connected to other youth workers, confident, professional, reflective, and being more powerful change agents. Based on results from this formative evaluation, we suggest that it was multiple teaching and learning strategies that promoted reflection, peer learning, and networking-that contributed to youth workers gaining knowledge and skills that in turn increased their confidence and sense of selfefficacy. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Publication Title

Child and Youth Services

Publication Date

7-1-2011

Volume

32

Issue

3

First Page

200

Last Page

223

ISSN

0145-935X

DOI

10.1080/0145935X.2011.605310

Keywords

peer learning, reflection, self-efficacy, youth worker professional development

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