Youth Voice Modules for OST Practitioners
Our free youth voice training modules, developed in partnership with the North Dakota Afterschool Network, equip afterschool practitioners with practical tools, proven strategies, and inspiring examples to meaningfully involve young people in shaping programs and driving change. Learn how to elevate youth perspectives, foster authentic leadership opportunities, and create inclusive spaces where young people’s ideas can thrive.
Youth Voice 101
This 20-minute professional development session helps afterschool practitioners deepen their understanding of youth voice and how to authentically embed it in their programs. Participants will explore practical strategies, learn from real youth perspectives, and apply proven frameworks like Hart’s Ladder of Youth Participation. The training also highlights key tools, including the Afterschool Alliance Youth Voice Toolkit and the CYESS Resource Database, to support ongoing growth and impact in youth engagement.
Proven Youth Voice Ideas You Can Use Now
In this 50-minute professional development module, afterschool practitioners share their best practices for centering youth voice, along with program examples you can adapt right away. Hear from leaders at Technovation, Mikva Challenge, Earth Force, and Sawhorse Revolution as they discuss proven strategies, lessons learned, and actionable ideas your program can start implementing tomorrow. From technology innovation to civic engagement and hands-on design, these stories will inspire new approaches to empowering youth as creators, problem-solvers, and changemakers.
Don't have time for the full module? Check out the individual program interviews below.
Explore More Advice from Programs
Dive into more insights and advice from six programs within our community of practice as they share how youth voice is meaningfully integrated into their programming. Learn from their experiences, challenges, and successes, and discover valuable recommendations to help you elevate youth perspectives in your work.
Earth Force
Hear from Krysten Dorfman, Project Manager, at Earth Force on youth voice and environmental action civics!
Mikva Challenge
Hear from James Fields, Senior Director of Youth Councils at Mikva Challenge, on their best practices for engaging young people in community change.
Sawhorse Revolution
Learn from Education Manager, Daisy Lemus, at Sawhorse Revolution on how their young people are designing and building better community spaces.
Technovation
Hear from Luella Provenza, US Partnerships Specialist, and Abbey Mae Pitcher, Program Manager, on how Technovation is working with girls to use tech to improve their communities.
Teen Science Cafe Network
Hear from Sheila James, Network Manager, on Teen Science Cafes built by and for the teens they serve.
Wild Center
Hear from Jen Kretser, Director of Climate Initiatives at the Wild Center, on how to bring youth voices and youth climate summits to your afterschool programs.