Enhancing Youth Impact: The Critical Role of Youth-Adult Partnerships in Effective Youth-Serving Organizations – Insights from a Texas County

Purpose of Review Including youth in the creation, implementation, and evaluation of programs and policies that directly impact them not only has individual benefits for the youth but has a direct benefit to society. The purpose of this paper is to describe the benefits of youth-adult partnership (Y-AP) in youth-serving organizations. Furthermore, an analysis of local current youth-serving organizations is shared with recommendations for improving youth-adult partnerships in the community as a case study. Methods A literature review was conducted to describe the benefits and impacts of Y-APs through a social-ecological model. A content analysis of publicly available data was conducted on youth serving organizations within a Texas county and assessed for the presence of youth-adult partnership. Fifty-seven organizations analyzed were categorized based on services they provided. Findings Literature review revealed Y-APs are linked to increased self-esteem, positive identity, well-being, high resiliency, and leadership skill development. These partnerships allow for the development of peer interpersonal relationships and set the stage for community action as well as create a sense of increased responsibility toward others. Locally, only 20% of organizations had youth-adult partnership within their organization, with small percentages addressing the most pressing issues identified in the community. Summary A Quick Start Y-AP Formation Guide was developed to encourage community-based organizations to incorporate youth-adult partnership. Many organizations overlap in their service areas but are disconnected; a youth-led coalition at the county level could be organized to bring unification and increased communication between organizations. Purpose of Review Including youth in the creation, implementation, and evaluation of programs and policies that directly impact them not only has individual benefits for the youth but has a direct benefit to society. The purpose of this paper is to describe the benefits of youth-adult partnership (Y-AP) in youth-serving organizations. Furthermore, an analysis of local current youth-serving organizations is shared with recommendations for improving youth-adult partnerships in the community as a case study. Methods A literature review was conducted to describe the benefits and impacts of Y-APs through a social-ecological model. A content analysis of publicly available data was conducted on youth serving organizations within a Texas county and assessed for the presence of youth-adult partnership. Fifty-seven organizations analyzed were categorized based on services they provided. Findings Literature review revealed Y-APs are linked to increased self-esteem, positive identity, well-being, high resiliency, and leadership skill development. These partnerships allow for the development of peer interpersonal relationships and set the stage for community action as well as create a sense of increased responsibility toward others. Locally, only 20% of organizations had youth-adult partnership within their organization, with small percentages addressing the most pressing issues identified in the community. Summary A Quick Start Y-AP Formation Guide was developed to encourage community-based organizations to incorporate youth-adult partnership. Many organizations overlap in their service areas but are disconnected; a youth-led coalition at the county level could be organized to bring unification and increased communication between organizations.