Get a Look at Getting to ‘Y’!
By Liberty Belote, GTY Program Coordinator
Youth across Vermont and New Hampshire have been coming together to explore data, connect with one another, and drive meaningful change! UP for Learning, in partnership with local youth facilitators, has hosted four trainings so far. Each session included engaging games, time to build connections between school groups, an in-depth look at the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), and opportunities to uncover the “why” behind the statistics. These gatherings provide a unique, supportive space for youth to share their experiences and identify the most effective ways to support their own wellness and that of their peers.
Getting to ‘Y’ (GTY) is one of UP for Learning’s foundational programs, training youth-adult partners to read and interpret Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data, share insights with their communities, and develop action plans that drive meaningful change. Following the training, youth-adult teams host a Data Analysis Retreat to explore the data with peers, lead a Community Dialogue to engage school staff, community members, and key stakeholders, and then use these insights and resources to plan and implement action steps that create observable, tangible impact. The project is supported by the Vermont Department of Health, numerous regional prevention coalitions, and is recognized both as an evidence-based practice (VDH) and a best practice by the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP).
One activity we facilitate at every training, the Circle of CourageⓇ, powerfully highlights an element that can sometimes get overlooked in forward-thinking, change-focused work: recognizing the strengths already present in a community. Rooted in indigenous philosophies of childcare and youth development scholarship, the Circle of CourageⓇ centers on four core values: Mastery – opportunities for youth to develop expertise; Generosity – opportunities for youth to give back; Independence – opportunities for youth to make their own decisions; and Belonging – opportunities for youth to feel included and valued in their community. Participants identify where these opportunities exist around them, and once each section is complete, the group comes together in front of the circle. In recent trainings, participants were often struck by just how much strength already exists in their communities—more than they had realized.
When asked about the training as a whole, youth identified the activities as “engaging,” “interesting,” and “supportive.” Of the activities, some youth appreciated being able “to meet each other,” the “good discussions,” the “dissection of the YRBS data,” and “fun games.” Participants also offered that it was a “fun day,” and realized that “our group works well together.” One reflected on the upcoming steps with confidence, “I am going to be one of the people in charge of my community dialogue night and our data retreat, and this prepared me well.”
3 of the 4 trainings have taken place in Western, Eastern, and Central Vermont. The remaining training was a part of the New Hampshire’s Getting to ‘Y’ statewide conference, led by Communities for Alcohol and Drug Free Youth (CADY). There, a wide variety of teams from prevention clubs to math classes gathered to learn about GTY for the first time. One adult advisor said of the training that he was excited for the opportunity for his students to work with real-world numbers in class, with statistics that they can take ownership of, and feel empowered to meaningfully impact them.
There’s still a handful of trainings to go and we’re so excited to continue! NH GTY will resume on October 29th with their first regional training in West Lebanon. VT GTY will pick back up in Rutland on October 30th, featuring a full training as well as our new YRBS data seminar in the morning. The final full VT GTY training will be in St. Johnsbury on November 13th.
