2021 NJPN Conference Program Book

Youth Engagement & Development in a Time of Isolation

JAMIE SIERFELD Training Director Partners in Prevention, The Lindsey Meyer Teen Institute (LMTI)

RACHEL TAYLOR LMTI Supervisor Partners in Prevention, The Lindsey Meyer Teen Institute (LMTI)

When children and adolescents experience positive relationships and support, they are more likely to thrive. Many of those critical relationships and supports have been shaken and broken down in the past year as we’ve all grappled with the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. In this workshop,

we will review the basics of positive youth development/engagement, and will then discuss how we can adjust our methods and expectations to best serve young people as we slowly emerge together from this terribly difficult time. We’ll share practical ideas that we’ve found to be effective for virtual engagement, as well as guiding principles to support adolescent mental health and help them use this adverse experience to continue along on their path of growth, learning, and development.

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