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Transforming Child and Youth Care

Youth in Focus Collaborative

Youth Work Collaborative

Youth in Focus is a national collaborative of youth and family development experts. As individual organizations, we have spent decades training youth workers, social workers, teachers, counselors, health workers, law enforcement professionals and parents in how to build effective and respectful relationships with young people — even young people who have issues that make real connection seem unlikely.

After years of training independently, in 2015 we came together for two simple reasons — to consolidate our expertise and bridge the research to practice gap.

our collaborative little girl 300x600A new wave of brain science has created revelatory understandings of precisely what young people need developmentally to succeed. We always knew youth develop their own behaviors largely in response to the behaviors of the adults around them – not just parents, but youth workers, teachers, police officers, and neighbors, too. Now we understand why, and exactly which adult behaviors help and which slow down optimal development. Our training isn’t about guesswork, pie-in-the-sky thinking, or ideology. It’s about science and what we know to be true. We teach easy-to-implement, easy-to-transfer skills based in human biology and behavior.

YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP THEIR OWN
BEHAVIORS LARGELY IN RESPONSE TO THE
BEHAVIORS OF ADULTS AROUND THEM. NOW
WE UNDERSTAND WHY, AND EXACTLY WHICH
ADULT BEHAVIORS HELP AND WHICH SLOW DOWN
OPTIMAL DEVELOPMENT.

Unfortunately, though, professionals who work directly with young people every day are sometimes the last to benefit from new knowledge or learn the new skills necessary to put that knowledge to practical use. This ‘research-to-practice’ gap is a well-known problem in many fields, but the well-being of young people is vitally importantly — and they can’t wait.

That’s why we exist. While diverse in our interests and specialties, every member of our collaborative is deeply immersed in the same core brain-based approaches, and we co-design trainings for both practitioners and trainers, remotely or in-person.

All of the Youth and Families Thrive trainings are offered through the Academy in collaboration with Youth in Focus.

Youth in Focus offers training content rooted in the latest research and best practice methods to bring high-quality instruction to professionals and community members alike. Our events, whether in-person or virtual, are highly interactive and provide practical strategies and tools to improve relationships and supports to young people. Meet our trainers.

See who attends Youth in Focus trainings.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or any of our partnering organizations. We’ll help you make the transformational change you’re seeking in your organization or community.

Our Founding Members

ACADEMY FOR COMPETENT YOUTH WORK COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
Academy for Competent Youth Work was founded in 2002 to promote the improvement of services for children and youth by offering community- and agency-based training and education that supports CYC certification. Certification requirements are the highest standard in the industry. Our mission: creating opportunities for child and youth care practitioners to become fully competent, well-informed about emerging and best practices, and certified as recognized professionals.

BOLSTER COLLABORATIVE STANDISH, MAINE
Bolster Collaborative was founded in 2013 as an extension of our parent organization, Vision Training Associates, Inc. (founded in 2000). Our goal is to provide the current, practical resources to those who serve the positive development of young people. We provide training and support in positive youth development principles to organizations and communities across the United States and internationally.

Although Bolster Collaborative is no longer offering services, many of the consultants and trainers continue to be available through Youth in Focus and the Academy.

YOUTH CATALYTICS BURLINGTON, VERMONT
Founded in 1981, Youth Catalytics promotes innovation and excellence in public and private agencies, schools, and community coalitions through capacity-building, professional development, research and program evaluation. Our mission: to advance and inspire the youth services sector by originating, gathering, and disseminating new knowledge, promising practices and thought leadership.

NATIONAL SAFE PLACE NETWORK LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
National Safe Place Network (NSPN) operates nationally recognized programs, including Safe Place ®, a youth outreach and prevention program for youth in need of immediate help and safety. Safe Place also provides a national text-for-support program, TXT 4 HELP. NSPN offers membership association services including quality training, capacity building, and technical support to youth and family service organizations.

PHILLIPS PROGRAMS FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
Since 1967, PHILLIPS has provided a place where youth left behind in traditional settings can get the education and supportive services they need to become successful and responsible adults. We offer special education at day schools in Virginia and Maryland and operate Career Partners and Family Partners, both nationally recognized models serving families and children with developmental, emotional and behavioral health needs.