Voinovich School publishes white papers to help adults facilitate youth-led prevention programs

The Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, in its ongoing work with the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, has published a series of white papers aimed at helping adults develop the skills necessary to become effective facilitators of youth-led programming.

The white papers were authored by 10 adult allies selected via a competitive application process to participate in a study group convened by OhioMHAS in partnership with Prevention Action Alliance and the Voinovich School. Among those selected was Anthony Talbert, an alumnus of the Voinovich School’s MPA program, who wrote a white paper titled, “Youth Led Programs.”

The experience enabled participants to deepen their knowledge of the theoretical basis of youth-led programming, preparing them to be leaders and resources to Ohio’s prevention field. The white papers examine a variety of topics from theories of youth development to youth empowerment and prevention.

Voinovich School professional staff members Jessica Collura and Aimee Collins led the Voinovich School’s involvement in the project, with support from Voinovich Undergraduate Research Scholars Zach Gheen and Haley Kennedy. Gheen was heavily involved in the process of creating the white papers, while Kennedy helped develop the webpage and social media channels for the Ohio Adult Allies in collaboration with the School’s creative designer, Lindsey Siegrist.

Click the links to read individual white papers:

• Youth-Led Programs [PDF]
• Conceptualizing Adolescence/ts [PDF]
• Positive Youth Development [PDF]
• Youth Empowerment [PDF]
• Prevention and Promotion (coming soon)