Youth Engaged Program Development & Evaluation
Grounded in participatory approaches, Intentional Inquiry utilizes a positive youth development approach to youth issues, meaning we engage youth as equal partners, experts in their own culture and experience, to develop, implement and improve the programs that are intended to benefit them. See the following examples (links provided in titles as available) to see our intentions in action.
Youth Thriving Survey Development
With Gary Community Ventures' leadership, Intentional Inquiry led a team of university researchers and youth developers in scanning measures assessing thriving and related concepts. With the input of Colorado's Building EcoSystems for Thriving (BEST) Team, the team decided to use the research to develop a Colorado grown survey. We engaged youth and community and school leaders from across the state to provide input into the final selection of items for the pilot. The statistical testing narrowed the items and determined the tool has high internal consistency reliability.
Youth Leaders for Community Change (YLCC)
On behalf of the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment's Community Prevention and Intervention (CPEI) Program, Intentional Inquiry facilitated a group of youth from across the state in developing recommendations for the CPEI team on how to meaningfully engage youth in its work, using SAMHSA's Strategic Prevention Framework. CPEI is acting on these recommendations by having YLCC provide training to its grantees.
Children's Colorado Pediatric Mental Health Institute Youth Action Board
Intentional Inquiry facilitated a group of high school students from across the Denver metro area in conducting research for advocacy to promote mental wellness in their schools. We supported youth in cultivating their leadership to initiate change that is feasible, meaningful, and impactful to their school community.
Positive Youth Development (PYD) in Action Tool
PYD is based on a set of 5 principles. In order for funders and youth service providers to be
able to support the continuous improvement of PYD practice, Intentional Inquiry was hired to work with a youth partner to co-facilitate the creation of a PYD practice rubric. This assessment tool was developed in partnership with youth and youth serving professionals, which has increased the relevance and use of this tool to enhance PYD implementation across Colorado.