<b>By JANE HOUIN<br>
Ohio Correspondent</b> </p><p>

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The more time kids spend in youth development programs like 4-H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Boys and Girls Clubs, the more likely they are to experience positive development and contribute to their communities, according to a national study recently released by the National 4-H Council.</p><p>
Findings from The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development (PYD) indicate that all youth, regardless of where they live, their family situations, their socioeconomic status, and their race or gender, have the capacity to thrive.</p><p>
Findings also show that when communities, families and schools provide access to youth development programs as well as opportunities for sustained adult interaction and mentoring, youth experience success.</p><p>
“This study has allowed us to track the behaviors of youth over several years and to learn how family, school and community experiences are shaping their development,” said Tufts University Professor Richard M. Lerner, Ph.D., director of The 4-H Study of PYD and author of The Good Teen (Crown Publishers, October 2007).</p><p>
“We know that all youth have the potential to succeed, but we’ve found that the likelihood of success is greatest when youth regularly experience positive adult interaction and mentorship and are involved in youth development programs. We’ve also found that the nature and frequency of 4-H programs is associated with youth doing their best.”</p><p>The characteristics of a successful youth development program are being measured for the first time with The 4-H Study of PYD. Key findings of the study show that:</p><p>
•Youth development programs are proven to affect youth success. <br>
•All youth can succeed - involvement in youth development programs increases a young person’s potential of doing well.<br>
•All youth need positive youth development. No young person is immune to the risks and challenges present in today’s society.<br>
•Involvement in youth development programs reduces the likelihood that young people will engage in risk behaviors, such as underage drinking, smoking, bullying, etc.<br>
•The quality and quantity of structured, out-of-school-time programs that youth are involved with matters. The more often youth are involved in high-quality youth development programs, the more they and their communities benefit.<br>
•4-H youth are leaders, contribute to their communities and are civically engaged.<br>
“Daily I have the opportunity to see youth develop and use skills 4-H has taught them,” said Carla Kidwell, 4-H youth educators for Purdue University in Warrick County, Ind. “I see 4-H youth become more responsible and better leaders.”</p><p>
While involvement in general out-of-school-time activities aids in positive youth development, those involved in 4-H are much more likely to contribute to themselves, their families and their communities by living a healthy lifestyle, supporting family activities and volunteering.</p><p>
“Also, 4-H puts youth in mentoring and teaching roles,” Kidwell said. “We have many 4-Hers who plan to deliver workshops and speeches on a variety of topics allowing youth to become better communicators and planners.”</p><p>
Results also show that the more time youth spend involved in high-quality youth development programs the more likely they are to experience high-levels of positive youth development.</p><p>
This correlation is especially true of young people involved in 4-H programs that ensure environments that encourage sustained positive relationships with adult mentors, skill-building activities and leadership.</p><p>
“As a leader in positive youth development programs, 4-H wants to better understand the environmental contexts and educational elements that provide young people with opportunities to experience success,” said Donald Floyd, Jr., president and CEO, National 4-H Council. “What we learn from this study will help 4-H programs across the nation ensure that 4-H continues to support young people’s growth into successful, contributing members of their communities.”</p><p>
The study revealed that more than any other youth development program, 4-H creates civically engaged youth and develops leaders. Early and ongoing involvement in youth development programs, like 4-H, helps children develop confidence and leadership skills where they learn what they like, are able to make choices, be leaders and have their voices heard.</p><p>
The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development is the first-ever longitudinal study to measure the characteristics of positive youth development (PYD). Led by Richard M. Lerner, Ph.D., professor at Tufts University, the study was sponsored by National 4-H Council.
It involves more than 4,000 youth and 2,000 parents from 25 states that measure the impact personal and social factors have on a young person’s development.</p><p>
4-H is the Nation’s largest youth development organization, serving more than 6.5 million youth across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. National 4-H Council is the national, private sector, non-profit partner of the 4-H Youth Development Program and its parent, the Cooperative Extension System of the USDA.</p><p>
For additional information, visit www.fourhcouncil.edu