County Maps for Youth Are On The Way

On February 23, 2011, youth leaders representing Carver County came together to receive training on map design and data analysis. This training was part of the Community Youth Action Crew (CYAC), an effort driven by the Carver County Health Partnership with support from Carver County, Ridgeview Medical Center, Lakeview Medical, School Districts 108, 110 and 112, and the Minnesota Extension Service.

The Carver County Health Partnership launched the CYAC project in August 2010 as part of the organizations commitment to positive youth development, including connecting students with opportunities in the county to be involved and have their voice hear. CYAC teams representing the high school areas of Chanhassen, Chaska, Norwood Young America, Waconia and Watertown have been meeting regularly since October 2010, receiving training on data collection (interviewing student peers and community members), data entry, and now map design and data analysis. At this last training, the team discussed the look and feel of the map and shared their ideas with a graphic designer.

Based on preliminary data from the CYAC surveys, it is apparent that young people in Carver County want to be involved in more activities, but they do not know what exists and they do not have access to transportation that will get them there. Once the maps have been completely designed and printed, the CYAC teams will take to the streets sharing the CYAC map with the goal of helping young people find positive places to go – including school programs, parks, restaurants, community centers, churches, community based youth programs and general places that are youth friendly. It is also hoped that community members, civic representatives and school leaders will be open to hearing more about the CYAC findings and recommendations.

Please contact CYAC project coordinator Theresa Dolezal with questions or to set up an interview with one of the CYAC youth. Theresa can be reached at tdapple@aol.com or 612-226-6527. You can learn more about the Carver County Health Partnership and the history of the Community Youth Action Crew at www.cchealthpartnership.org.

CYAC Teams Collecting Data in Carver County

 

On January 11, 2011, the Carver County CYAC teams came together for the second Countywide Training. The teams reported the progress made collecting data using the CYAC surveys. Team members used words such as "interesting," "surprisingly fun," "revealing," and "very big/large scale" to describe their experiences interviewing peers, program providers and community members. Some of the challenges the CYAC teams identified included not knowing what community program contacts to interview, the "trickling in" of survey responses from the community and not being able to coordinate schedules with other CYAC team members.

 

CYAC team members have noticed that the topic of transportation came up consistently as a barrier for youth participating in programs. They also noted that some businesses and community resources claim to support young people, but are not considered friendly by youth, and that not as many young people are engaged in programs and activities outside of school as CYAC members had originally thought. CYAC teams are currently entering their data into survey monkey, while finishing data collection from service providers and community members

CYAC Youth Leader Training - Countywide Momentum 

The room chattered and energy sparked as more than 25 middle and high-school students from across Carver County gathered for the first countywide Community Youth Action Crew (CYAC) Youth Leader training on November 10, 2010. The event, facilitated by the Carver County Health Partnership (CCHP) and the University of Minnesota Youth Work Institute, introduced the CYAC project to Youth Leaders from the five established community based teams and trained them on interview techniques and project strategies. In the next few months, five youth led teams will interview local youth and community members to help understand what resources and opportunities exist for young people to be involved. At the same time, the Youth Leaders will identify what is still needed to help support youth in Carver County as they grow to be happy and healthy contributors to our communities.After the CYAC Youth Leaders have collected their interview data, they will begin the second phase of the CCHP sponsored project ? creating a map of the county with the available places and opportunities that they discover for youth to be engaged. After the map is complete, the CYAC Youth Leaders will share their information during the third and final phase of the project, a social marketing campaign to generate awareness among youth and the community about what exists, and what is still needed. In the next few weeks, watch for the CYAC Youth Leaders wearing their Yellow CYAC t-shirts. If approached, please take a moment to answer their questions. Together, we can help make Carver County a great place to live, work and play. For more information, visit the Carver County Health Partnership website at www.cchealthpartnership.org.A special thank you to the adults from across the county who helped identify CYAC Youth Leaders, and to Fresh Seasons Market in Victoria, MN for providing snacks at the November 10 training. To learn how you can help support the CYAC Youth Leaders please contact Theresa Dolezal, project coordinator, at 612-226-6527 or tdapple@aol.com.

CCHP Hires Youth Development and Program Coordinator

CCHP is  pleased to announce that Theresa Dolezal will serve as the new CCHP Youth Development and Communications Coordinator. Theresa received a Masters of Arts in Community Psychology from Metropolitan State University in 2007 where she focused on positive youth development and relationship health promotion. She completed additional graduate training in tonal graduate training in the University of St. Thomas in Teacher Education and Masters of Business Communication programs.

 

Taking a strengths-based approach, Theresa centers her youth development work on effective communication strategies to reach multiple audiences and to help create individual and population health. In addition to youth development, Theresa's background includes application of public relation strategies such as social media, public speaking and media relations; qualitative and quantitative research analysis and development; orchestration of quality product and program development; and knowledge of fundraising and donor activities including silent auction and award events, grant writing.

Theresa stated that she is 'passionate about helping create healthy communities where young people thrive, and welcomes any opportunity to share her knowledge and help make the world a better place for all people.' Theresa's initial focus will be on recruiting youth and coordinating the Youth Action Crew. She looks forward to connecting with anyone who is interested in learning more about how this effort is working to make Carver County a better place to live and work. You can reach Theresa at tdapple@aol.com.
Reprinted from the Chaska Herald, October 1, 2009.
Reprinted from the Chaska Herald, December 17, 2009.