SFY Philosophy: Development Competence
Strategies for Youth believes that adults who are developmentally competent will have more effective interactions with youth--for both adults and youth.
This is what we mean by the term developmental competence:
Developmental Competence refers to the understanding that children and adolescents’ perceptions and behaviors are influenced by biological and psychological factors related to their developmental stage.
 Developmental competence is based on the premise that specific, sequential stages of neurological and psychological development are universal. Children and adolescents’ responses differ from adults because of fundamental neurobiological factors and related developmental stages of maturation.
A person who is developmentally competent recognizes that how children and youth perceive, process and respond to situations is a function of their developmental stage, and secondarily their culture and life experience. Developmentally competent adults align their expectations, responses, and interactions—as well as those of institutions and organizations—to the developmental stage of the children and youth they serve.
In order to become developmentally competent, an individual must:
- Understand that children, adolescents, and adults interpret and respond differently to situations, social cues, interpersonal interactions, and the inherent authority and power of adults.
- Apply this knowledge to enhance and improve interactions with children and youth, and
- Calibrate institutional responses to the developmental stage of the children and youth served.
Training Principles of Policing the Teen Brain
Strategies for Youth (SFY) police officer training provides practical and applicable, scientific and evidence-based information and strategies that meet the stated needs of officers working with youth.
SFY training supports officers by making interactions with youth:
- Easier and faster, less conflicted and more compliant,
- Assert authority effectively with youth with reduced reliance on force and arrest,
- Supports officers’ ability to recognize and respond appropriately to youth presenting mental health and addiction issues.
SFY training helps police departments:
- Demonstrate investment in youth and increases youths’ trust and communication with police,
- Reduce departments’ over-time and court costs by partnering with youth serving issues to community-based organizations for low-level offenses, and
- Support good community relations and reduces complaints,
SFY training helps youth and communities:
- Youth develop relationships with police who serve as role models, guides and resources,
- Promote law enforcement careers with youth, and
- Increase safety in schools and neighborhoods.
Core Training Components:
- Developmental Explanation of Normative Teen Behaviors
- Lessons from Psychology & Psychiatry: Tactics for Working with Compromised Teens
- Legal Aspects of Police Involvement with Youth
- Demographic Overview of Youth & Implications for Behavior
- Cultural Issues Affecting Teens/Adult Youth Interactions.
- Strategies for Asserting Authority & Getting Compliance from Teens—Without Arrest or Use of Force
- Recognizing and Addressing Implicit Bias
- Developing Community-Based Partnerships – And Using Them
- Trying it on For Size---Role Playing with Officers & Youth
Training Approach:
Each training is developed with police officers, involves community-based youth-serving organizations, and local youth who are paid to participate in role-plays. Methods of instruction include interactive discussions with adolescent development experts and psychiatrists, films, and involvement of community youth during role plays.
Read full blog post, The Need for Developmental Competence for Adults Working with Youth
by Lisa Thurau and Jeff Bostic
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