Commit to Quality Youth Development Practice
YDRC Network Meetings
The YDRC offers free monthly meetings open to all youth development professionals who are interested in networking with their peers, connecting with local resources, and learning how to improve program quality.
Professional Development Workshops and Summits
The YRDC hosts summits and workshops throughout the year focusing on professional skill-building and quality improvement training. Open to all youth development professionals.
GET ON THE MAP — PROMOTE YOUR PROGRAMS
YDRC launched Discover Your Spark to highlight the importance of year-round, out-of-school-time resources and help parents and caregivers connect to local programs. Through DiscoverYourSpark.org and its summer companion effort SummerSparkSEM.org, parents can search for afterschool and summer programs across Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. Email info@detroitydrc.org to be added to the Program Finder!
Please share DiscoverYourSpark.org and this flyer with parents looking for quality youth programs.
Discover Your Spark is promoted to families in Detroit thanks to generous support from the United Way for Southeastern Michigan and The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.
Quality Standards for Youth Development Programs
The YDRC, alongside a network of Detroit youth and youth development professionals, developed common quality standards based on best practices and the voices of youth and program providers. Youth-serving organizations in the Detroit area are using these quality standards for continuous program improvement, creating goals for high-quality youth development programs across the provider network. This resource includes:
- 5 Ways to Use the Program Standards to improve program quality
- Program Quality Practices from building a safe environment to developing positive relationships
- Management Practices from intentional program design to championing diversity and inclusion
- Program Improvement Plan worksheet for provider’s internal use
Newsletter
Our monthly newsletter provides the most current information on events, summits and opportunities for youth development professionals.
Measure and Demonstrate Quality and Impact
Acting with Data is the YDRC’s signature learning community designed to help youth development teams reach the highest level of quality and impact for the youth they serve. Program teams receive training in a suite of best-in-class shared measurement tools including the Youth Program Quality Assessment (YPQA) and Holistic Student Assessment. Program staff learn to assess, plan and improve their programs through training from their youth development professional peers and expert coaches.
There are currently two tracks of Acting with Data:
- The Foundations Track is for teams working to master the YPQA for their school-year afterschool or youth development programs. This community meets four times over six months from fall to spring. Applications will be available in early Fall.
- The Summer Learning Track focuses on assessment and improvement during the three summer months. This community meets two to three times, from late spring to early fall. Applications will be available in Spring.
Deepen Youth and Adult Skills
The YDRC invites providers to refine or improve specific areas of their youth development practice. These opportunities are available by invitation only.
Acting with Data
Acting with Data is for teams working to master the Youth Program Quality Assessment for their school-year afterschool or youth development programs. This community meets 5 times from September to June. The cohort also has the opportunity to participate in two retreats throughout the school year. The topics for these retreats are social-emotional learning and leadership.
College Success Professional Learning Community
The YDRC, Michigan Future Inc., and Detroit College Network have teamed up to facilitate a learning community with 18 schools and youth development organizations. This community engages in peer learning and strengthening capacity to support youth in their post-secondary success. The learning community meets for six sessions, and each organization receives up to two individualized sessions. These sessions provide organizations with technical assistance on their post-secondary success support strategies, as well as coaching to create program improvement action plans. The community is supported by the Jamie & Denise Jacob Family Foundation.
Keep In Touch
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