TITLE: Creating a Professional Development Plan
FORUM DESCRIPTION: As the school year winds down, it’s time to look ahead to the ’25-’26 school year. How can leaders identify what program improvement is needed and what skills and areas where employees need/want to improve? This can be achieved by creating an intentional staff development plan.
A staff development plan for afterschool programs should outline specific areas for improvement skills and knowledge areas for improvement, set clear goals, and provide resources for growth, aligning with both individual and organizational needs.
A staff development plan for youth workers should outline specific skills and knowledge areas for improvement, set clear goals, and provide resources for growth, aligning with both individual and organizational needs. It's a roadmap for staff to develop their skills and abilities related to working with young people, helping them become more effective and confident in their roles.
In this webinar we will explore the key components and benefits of developing a plan for professional development, and strategies/activities to create a staff development plan, which may include:
- Needs Assessment: Identify where the program needs to improve and what skills and areas that staff need/want to improve.
- Goal Setting: Define specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals.
- Action Plan: Outline the steps, resources, and timeline for achieving the goals.
- Training and Development: Provide opportunities for learning through workshops, courses, mentorship, or visiting other programs.
- Progress Monitoring: Track progress towards goals and provide regular feedback.
- Review and Adjustment: Periodically review the plan and adjust it as needed based on employee and organizational needs.
HOST: Ren Daraio is Co-Director of Temescal Associates and the How Kids Learn Foundation.
SPEAKERS: Ren Daraio is Co-Director of Temescal Associates and the How Kids Learn Foundation. Ren has over 35 years of experience working directly with youth and training OST leaders.
As a Temescal Associate, Ren has conducted high school trainings and learning communities based on Temescal’s Bedrock to Rooftop framework. Prior to her work with Temescal Associates, Ren was the Deputy Director at the Community Network for Youth Development and a consultant for the Institute for Research and Reform in Education. She holds a BA in Theater and Psychology and a MA in Drama Therapy.
Paul Meunier is the Executive Director at Youth Interventions Programs Association (YIPA).
Paul says he loves his job and enjoys working with people as a way to impact the lives of their org’s young people. He feels lucky to be connected with so many dedicated, passionate, and skilled people in this field of youth work. Paul has worked directly with young people for many years as the lead of a therapeutic unit in a setting IV emotional behavioral disorder (EBD) program. He is a trained psychologist and was also a City Council member and then Mayor of Ham Lake.
Paul has been involved with YIPA for many years, as a member of YIPA’s Board of Directors and its Vice President before joining the team as an employee. Most people tell him that he works too much and they’re likely right, but he always makes time for family fun, running and working out, and reading and listening to podcasts about leadership.
Jocelyn Wiedow is the Network and Quality Coordinator at Sprockets, Saint Paul, Minnesota’s Out of School Time Network. As the Sprockets Network and Quality Coordinator, Jocelyn brings together people and programs from across St. Paul with the shared goal of helping young people succeed. It’s a perfect fit for someone with more than 20 years of experience in coordinating and directing youth and family programs across the Twin Cities. Jocelyn melds her past experience and knowledge of the OST field to support youth workers to strengthen skills around youth work practices, evaluative thinking and data utilization. Jocelyn has her master’s degree in public nonprofit administration and an individualized studies Bachelor of Arts degree focusing on community program management.
DATE: Friday, August 8, 2025, from 10:00am - 12:00pm (PST) via Zoom link.
FEE: There is a $25.00 (+$3.52 ticket fee) to register. We will send you a link to access the webinar closer to the event. All attendees will receive a subsequent email after the webinar with additional resources and a link to the webinar recording to share with colleagues.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Out-of-school time and educational leaders and practitioners serving young people ages 5 -18, funders, and policymakers.
