About EP4Y Youth Development

To grow up healthy, all youth need opportunities to develop:

  • Competence: A positive view of one’s actions, including social, academic, health and vocational.
  • Confidence: An internal sense of overall positive self-worth and self-efficacy.
  • Connection: Positive bonds with people and institutions; both parties contribute to the relationship.
  • Character: Respect for societal and cultural norms, morality (a sense of right and wrong), and integrity.
  • Caring/Compassion: A sense of sympathy and empathy for others.
  • Contribution: The opportunity to give back and make a difference to self, family and community.

Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development, Tufts University.

How They Work

Eden Prairie has many opportunities for young people to develop the 6 C’s of Youth Development.  The Youth Development Committee’s focus is reducing barriers to youth for these opportunities such as financial, transportation, language and communication.

Everyone benefits when all youth are able to participate in opportunities to develop!

Academic Outcomes

  • Better attitudes toward school and higher educational aspirations
  • Higher school attendance rates and less tardiness
  • Less disciplinary action (e.g., suspension)
  • Better performance in school, as measured by achievement test scores and grades

Social/Emotional Outcomes

  • Improved social skills, communication skills, and relationships with others (peers, parents, and teachers)
  • Increased self-confidence, self-esteem and self-efficacy
  • Lower levels of depression and anxiety

Prevention Outcomes

  • Avoidance of drug and alcohol use
  • Decreases in delinquency, violent behavior and juvenile crime
  • Avoidance of sexual activity

Health and Wellness Outcomes

  • Better food choices and increased knowledge of nutrition and health practices
  • Increased physical activity
  • Reduction in BMI (body mass image)
  • Improved body image

Outcomes of participation in after-school activities, adapted from the Harvard Family Research Project, February 2008.

Prevention links

Websites for PARENTS
Websites for YOUTH
PDFs

A new take on “Under the Influence”

Hear what Eden Prairie students report about drinking and drug use, and the important influence of parents: Tuesday, March 6, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., at the EPHS Performing Arts Center.
Whether you parent a kindergardener or high schooler, you may have questions on how to support your child in making good decisions and help guide them away from risky behaviors.

Learn about what Eden Prairie’s 6th, 9th and 12th graders report in our Minnesota Student Survey regarding decisions around alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. School staff and community representatives will then share the important role parents play and what you can do to influence decisions from elementary through high school years.

Bring your questions and a friend! Free, no registration required.

Our prevention neighbors


Meeting schedule

  • Tuesday, Feb. 7: 4:00-5:30 p.m., EP City Center, Heritage Room 3
  • Tuesday, Mar. 6: Parent event at EPHS (information at left)
  • Tuesday, Apr. 10: 4:00-5:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, May 8: 4:00-5:30 p.m.

A to Z list of things to do

Have you heard your kids complain, "I'm bored. There's nothing to do!" Click here for a list of "no-cost or low-cost" things to do in Eden Prairie.


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