Northwest Indiana Youth Workers will learn techniques to connect with teens and engage them in learning 
Teens over the age of 14 have a diverse set of needs and interests that make it challenging for teachers and youth workers to get them fully engaged in learning and other activities. That’s why the Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) is hosting a workshop to help youth workers better connect with teens.
The workshop “Engaging Older Youth” is designed to offer youth workers techniques to promote positive relationships between teens and staff. In addition, youth workers will learn strategies to keep teens from dropping out of school and to use homework assignments, independent studies and projects to get kids more actively involved in learning.
Afterschool providers, summer program directors, youth ministers, mentors, mentoring coordinators and other youth workers in Northwest Indiana are encouraged to register and attend the workshop, which will be presented Oct .4 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (local time) at Avalon Manor, 3550 US Highway 30, Merrillville, 46410.
The sessions will be taught by Yoneco Evans, Assistant Director of Professional Development for the Teens Center for Afterschool Education at Foundation, Inc. Evans designs and facilitates professional development workshops for afterschool practitioners. She has nearly ten years of experience in the areas of youth development, education, and family outreach. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Pennsylvania and is completing a certification in family literacy. Evans also is a contributing author in “Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for At-Risk Youth: Volume II.”
On-site registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Cost of the training is $45, but individuals can save $5 per session by registering online with a credit card for this or other IYI trainings at www.iyi.org/trainings_registration. Continuing Education Hours for the workshop are available through the National Association of Social Workers, the Indiana Association of Prevention Professionals, and the National Council on Family Relations for Certified Family Life Educators as well as the Indiana Park and Recreation Association via petition. Professional Growth Points are available for teachers, school counselors and other licensed school professionals (pending approval).
This workshop will also be presented in Indianapolis, New Albany, Evansville, South Bend and Fort Wayne. For more information about the workshops in those cities, go to www.iyi.org.
This training is supported in part by the Clowes Fund and the Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation.
The Indiana Youth Institute promotes the healthy development of children and youth by serving the institutions and people of Indiana who work on their behalf.