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Child Trends is committed to ending racism and building an equitable post-pandemic society. To that end, we will continue to produce and share research to inform public policies and expand public awareness of how to promote and protect the health and well-being of children. You can find our statement on fighting racism here and our work on the COVID-19 pandemic here.

How Y-USA leveraged implementation teams to improve youth development programs

A new Child Trends brief describes the role of implementation teams and discusses how the YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) used its implementation teams to institute a new set of youth development practices at local YMCAs. When implementing a new youth development program or practice, our researchers suggest engaging executive leadership in the implementation process, which can ultimately enhance buy-in and streamline approvals.

Technical advisors are invaluable for program implementation

Child Trends researchers also learned five important lessons about how technical advisors can support program staff who serve youth in their work with Y-USA. Researchers found that technical advisors were a valuable guide for Y-USA staff navigating the logistics of developing, implementing, and monitoring a character development program.

Peer support among program staff can facilitate successful program implementation

A third piece of research from the Y-USA project describes how peer support among local YMCA program staff helped them successfully implement new youth development practices. Implementing a new program or set of practices can be challenging, but program staff can offer practical guidance to their peers on how to prioritize efforts.

Improving the lives and prospects of children and youth through high-quality research