Learning Objectives: Describe how community organizing and youth development principals and practices are being used by seven advanced youth tobacco prevention coalitions in California. Identify specific actions that support youth development in their policy work. Describe a menu of options for working effectively with youth on tobacco policy.
Abstract: Audience: Tobacco staff who work directly with youth and their supervisors.
Key Points:
Point 1: Youth tobacco prevention programs can meet their policy objectives by incorporating youth development principals and practices with community organizing strategies.
Basis: Nine youth tobacco coalitions are funded by the California Department of Health Services’ Tobacco Control Section over a three year period to utilize the “TIGHT” (Tobacco Industry Gets Hammered by Teens) model, a project that successfully utilized youth development and community organizing principals and practices to effect community norm change.
Point 2: Youth development principals and practices offer the opportunities for participation and provide developmental supports that engage and maintain youth involvement in tobacco policy work.
Basis: “Youth development is the ongoing process in which young people are engaged in building the skills, attitudes, knowledge and experience that prepare them for the present and future. Youth development should be seen as an ongoing, inevitable process in which all you are engaged and all youth are invested.” (Karen Pittman)
Educational Experience:
Participants will experience a panel presentation on how seven of California’s advanced youth coalitions are incorporating principals of youth development and/or direct action community organizing. Community organizing exercises and an inventory of youth development practices will be conducted at tables, followed by a discussion led by panelists.
Benefits:
This session will offer theoretical and practical tools to help new and experienced staff of youth tobacco programs more effectively involve youth in their policy work.
Back to Youth Power: Youth Development and Community Organizing for Tobacco Policy in California
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Back to The 2002 National Conference on Tobacco or Health