Advancing Youth Work Current Trends, Critical Questions [Paperback]

This path-breaking book brings together an international list of contributors to collectively articulate a vision for the field of youth work, sharing what they have learned from decades of experience in the training and education of youth workers. Carefully designed evaluation and research studies have legitimized the learning potential of youth programs and non-school organizations over the last twenty years, and recent attention has shifted towards the education, training, and on-going professional development of youth workers. Contributors define youth work across domains of practice and address the disciplines of knowledge upon which sound practice is based, reviewing examples of youth practitioner development both in and outside of academia. Raising critical questions and concerns about current trends, Advancing Youth Workaims to bring clarity to the field and future of youth work.

Advancing Youth Workwill help youth work practitioners develop a common language, articulate their field in one voice, and create a shared understanding of similarities and differences. This book is also an invaluable resource for higher educators, researchers, and students involved with youth work.

Foreword, Shep Zeldin

Preface

Introduction

1. A Conversation with Ellen Gannett, Dana Fusco and Ellen Gannett

I. Competencies and Credentials

2. Embedding and Sustaining Youth Worker Core Competencies in Out-of-School Time Programs, Sarah Jonas

3. Assessing Youth Worker Competence: National Child and Youth Worker Certification, Dale Curry, Andrew J. Schneider-Mu?oz, Frank Eckles, and Carol Stuart

4. Establishing Expertise in an Emerging Field, Joyce Walker and Kate Walker

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