Learning Objectives: Identify three concepts of the youth development approach and apply it to individual programs Explain how to implement a training for peer leaders focussed on advocacy skills Demonstrate an activity for teaching peer leaders how to analyze their community and identify potential allies and opponents around tobacco control issues.
Abstract: The Youth Advocacy Training Institute (YATI), a project of The Medical Foundation, funded by The Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program is a new initiative in Massachusetts. YATI infuses the youth development approach with tobacco advocacy and civic activism. The structure and evaluation of the new initiative will be discussed. In addition, the workshop will provide strategies and skills to participants in an interactive format. The keypoints of the workshop will center on youth development principles and youth advocacy strategies focused on tobacco control. The youth development section will explore positive youth outcomes and youth participation strategies. Participants will also explore how they can apply the youth development approach to their programs. The tobacco control advocacy and civic activism section will demonstrate three activities in an interactive format: 1. Strategies to support and change local policies, 2. How to use the media to advocate for change, and 3. How to analyze and mobilize the community through asset mapping and understanding allies and opponents. The activities will be demonstrated with the intention of replication. The participants will benefit by "taking home" the activities to use with youth in programs and schools. The presenters will have two Massachusetts peer leaders trained by the Youth Advocacy Training Institute to co-present the activities. The youth will also discuss their experience as peer leaders engaged in collaboration with adults to effect change through advocacy and civic engagement in their communities.
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