Meeting Safety Issues and Basic Needs

Today we wrap up talking about four basic competencies for positive youth development.  Basic Needs and Safety is the last component of this series.  Connected, prepared, engaging and feeling safe with basic needs met is the equation to a helping our youth become leaders and self sufficient community leaders.

Young people need their needs met (shelter, food, etc) and to feel safe before they can grow and learn. Youth in survival mode do not thrive, due to biological brain responses to the environment and psychological focus on surviving.  

  Being in survival mode is just that, survival.  It is not the time for the brain to focus on academic, professional, or even personal long-term goals…it is the time for the brain to focus on finding food and shelter.

This sets the agenda for positive youth development. This reflects a major shift in thinking. Instead of asking what we can do to prevent and fix behavior problems, we are asking what opportunities, learning experiences, supports do we need to give young people so that they feel connected, prepared and engaged.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Lisa R. Laliberty
4-H YFP Mentor Educator
Virginia Cooperative Extension
Henry/Martinsville (276) 634-4653
City of Danville (434) 766-6761
laliberty@vt.edu

www.4-hyfpmentoring.blogspot.com