Youth Program Quality: Positive Youth Development researchers identify specific practices that youth program staff and leaders can use to improve outcomes for youth. From safe space, to supportive environment, to interactions and engagement, delivering high quality youth programs is an art and a science. AYDC’s Youth Program Quality initiative is an evidence-based approach to strengthening the way programs incorporate these practices

Social Emotional Learning: Employability skills, life skills, soft skills, emotional intelligence, social and emotional skills—known by many names, these core skills are critical for youth in all aspects of their lives. The social emotional learning (SEL) process that builds these skills is a powerful component Positive Youth Development. SEL is an emphasis of both AYDC’s Youth Program Quality and Second Order Change initiatives.