ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT
ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT EXPLAINED
Guide that examines the major developmental changes that occur in adolescence.
COMPLETE GUIDE TO DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES
A guide to normal childhood development meant to help you identify when your child might need professional attention.
VIDEO: PART 1 OF LET'S DIG DEEP: Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP)
A short video explaining the phrase "developmentally appropriate practices" and the importance of a developmentally appropriate home, classroom, and community for children.
VIDEO: PART 2 OF LET'S DIG DEEP: Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP)
A short video explaining the phrase "developmentally appropriate practices" and the importance of a developmentally appropriate home, classroom, and community for children.
VIDEO: PART 3 OF LET'S DIG DEEP: Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP)
Dr. Nefertiti Poyner shares a personal learning experience, where she actually neglected developmentally appropriate practices. But when you make mistakes, you can learn, grow, and be better!
VIDEO: PART 4 OF LET'S DIG DEEP: Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP)
Dr. Nefertiti Poyner talks about how we can all work to promote developmentally appropriate practices.
LGQBT+
FACTS ABOUT LGBTQ+ YOUTH & SUICIDE
LGBTQ youth are not inherently prone to suicide risk because of their sexual orientation or gender identity but rather placed at higher risk because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society.
VIDEO: LGBTQ+ YOUTH
Video on LGBTQ+ youth and mental health. "Youth who identify as LGBTQ are at increased risk for mental health problems, bullying, and suicidal thoughts. Adults must be mindful of listening."
SUPPORTING LGBTQ+ YOUTH DURING COVID
Statistics, tips, and resources on supporting LGBTQ+ youth during the pandemic.
HOW TO SUPPORT LGBTQ+ CHILDREN
Learn how families can best support LGBTQ+ youth, how parents can help keep LGBTQ+ kids safe, and some common challenges for LGBTQ+ youth.
CREATING SAFER SPACES IN SCHOOL FOR LGBTQ+ YOUNG PEOPLE | The Trevor Project
This guide from The Trevor Project offers actionable steps for educators, administrators, and students to foster safer, more inclusive school environments for LGBTQ+ youth. It emphasizes allyship, anti-bullying strategies, and ways to signal support, ensuring that all students feel respected and affirmed.
JUST THE FACTS: A Primer for Principals, Educators, and School Personnel
Just the Facts provides information and resources for principals, educators and school personnel who confront sensitive issues involving gay, lesbian, and bisexual students.
SAFE & SUPPORTIVE SCHOOLS
The Safe and Supportive Schools Project promotes safe and supportive environments to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among adolescents.
SUPPORTING LGBTQ+ STUDENTS – MICRO-CREDENTIALS | National Education Foundation
This stack of six micro-credentials is designed to help educators understand how to create a safe and inclusive classroom environment for LGBTQ+ students.
FLIP IT! TRANSFORMING CHALLENGING BEHAVIOR
FLIP IT‘s four simple steps for transforming challenging behavior in young children are: F – Feelings, L – Limits, I – Inquiries, P – Prompts. Teachers and parents can help children learn about their feelings and gain self-control by using that mnemonic. These Flip It! resources are designed to support all adults who interact with young children.
2024 POST ELECTION EDUCATOR RESOURCE
This post‑election educator guide from the Human Rights Campaign’s Welcoming Schools program outlines practical, trauma‑informed actions teachers and school staff can take to support LGBTQ+ students and families during politically tense moments. It offers concrete strategies for inclusive classroom management, addressing bias‑based bullying, strengthening family engagement, and creating safe, affirming school environments.
MENTORING
BECOMING A BETTER MENTOR
Strategies guide of tangible mentoring core skills, key principles, and best practices.
YOUTH MENTORING NETWORK
The Youth Mentoring Network provides children facing adversity, a strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationship that enhances their lives.
NATIONAL MENTORING RESOURCE CENTER
The National Mentoring Resource Center provides a collection of mentoring handbooks, curricula, manuals, and other resources that practitioners can use to implement and further develop program practices.
MENTORLOOP
FREE professional mentoring resources.
GROWTH MINDSET FOR MENTORS TOOLKIT
This toolkit introduces mentors to growth mindset principles and provides 17 practical lessons, strategies, and language tools they can use to help youth build resilience, confidence, and a belief in their ability to grow. The accompanying implementation guide supports programs in integrating growth‑mindset practices through training, match support, and organizational culture.
ELEMENTS OF EFFECTIVE PRACTICE FOR MENTORING
Research-informed and practicioner-approved standards for creating & sustaining youth mentoring programs.
MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING FOR PEOPLE WHO USE DRUGS
Learn how motivational interviewing can inspire and improve the behaviors and mindsets of people who use drugs.
VIDEO: MENTORING MATTERS
During the 2011-2012 school year, The Education Alliance had a unique opportunity to learn in-depth about six Walk the Talk Mentoring participants. These students were willing to share their stories. Through their voices we learned about the struggles, dreams, and triumphs many teenagers face each year they are in high school.
WALK THE TALK - MENTORING GUIDE
The transition between middle
school and high school is a pivotal point in students’ lives. They must adapt to new environments and a variety of life changes in order to persist to graduation. A committed adult mentor can make all the difference between success and failure for young people at this critical time.
Walk the Talk originally was a four–year high school club that began in November 2008 with generous funding from the AT&T Foundation. Today, The Education Alliance is pleased to introduce a mentoring curriculum based on this program that can serve both middle and high school students in a variety of settings. Walk the Talk pairs caring mentors with young people to help create relationships to support students learning about college and career opportunities and becoming re–engaged in the learning process. Walk the Talk is designed to encourage self-advocacy skills which will prepare the students for their future.
VIDEO: 6 WAYS TO BUILD BETTER RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUTH
Did you know that young people with mentors are less likely to engage in risky behaviors? Those with mentors are also more likely to have a better relationship with their parents, better communication skills, and higher self-esteem. But how do you build positive and meaningful relationships with youth? Watch this video for 6 ways to make it happen!
CREATING A YOUTH MASTER PLAN ACTION KIT
This kit was created not just for you, but for the children, youth, and families in your community. It is based on the latest research and best practices from across the nation and offers a wide-ranging menu of opportunities for municipal leadership to make children, youth, and family issues a community-wide priority. Whether you are ready to launch a major initiative or are just getting started, the ideas in this kit will help you move forward.
VIDEO: SIMPLY STATED - RELATIONSHIPS
A brief video explaining how relationships serve as a protective factor for ourselves and the youth in our lives.
5 STEPS FOR BUILDING & STRENGHTENING STUDENTS' NETWORKS
This playbook was developed by the Clayton Christensen Institute to help K–12 and postsecondary leadership and nonprofits that work with those institutions implement and adapt strategies, tools, and metrics that build and strengthen their students’ networks.
MENTORING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES: Traveling the Distance - National Mentoring Resource Center
This webinar explores strategies for delivering effective mentoring in rural communities, highlighting creative solutions to transportation barriers, limited resources, and geographic isolation. Panelists share practical approaches and real‑world examples to help programs strengthen connections and support youth across long distances.
ACCESS THE YOUTH OPPORTUNITY TOOLKIT
Search Institute’s Youth Opportunity Toolkit offers practical, research‑based strategies to help adults strengthen developmental relationships with young people. The toolkit includes activities, reflection tools, and guidance designed to boost youth engagement, connection, and long‑term success.
ONLINE SAFETY
PROTECTING CHILDREN ONLINE DURING COVID-19
Technical note on key priorities and recommendations on how to promote positive online experiences for children.
SOCIAL MEDIA USE AND BALANCE
How social media use can impact mental health and tips for finding social media balance.
GUIDE TO SAFELY USING THE INTERNET
Tips for using online resources safely when in an abusive relationship.
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP SKILLS
The StopBullying.gov Digital Citizenship Skills resource promotes responsible online behavior and offers guidance for parents and educators to help youth prevent cyberbullying through digital safety and etiquette education.
HOW TO TALK WITH TEENS ABOUT DATING IN THE AGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA - KVC West Virginia
This guide helps parents understand how teens navigate relationships in the digital age, offering practical tips for fostering healthy communication, setting boundaries, and supporting safe online behavior. It provides straightforward strategies to help families talk openly about dating, technology, and emotional well‑being.
POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
VIDEO: HOW CARING ADULTS PROMOTE POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Presentation at the CEBM, "Strengthening the Links Between Formal & Informal Mentoring".
BUILDING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS
Positive relationships build motivation, create safe spaces for learning, build new pathways for learning, and improve student behavior
DEVELOPMENTAL RELATIONSHIPS FRAMEWORK
Developmental relationships are the roots of thriving and resilience for young people, regardless of their background or circumstances. Through these relationships, young people discover who they are, cultivate abilities to shape their own lives, and learn how to engage with and contribute to the world around them.
BENEFITS OF YOUTH MENTORING TALKING POINTS
This fact sheet summarizes the wide‑ranging benefits of youth mentoring, highlighting evidence‑based impacts across education, mental health, identity development, workforce readiness, and community well‑being. It also outlines the national mentoring gap, common program challenges, and the critical need for increased investment to ensure every young person has access to a supportive, trusted adult.
ACCESS THE YOUTH OPPORTUNITY TOOLKIT
Search Institute’s Youth Opportunity Toolkit offers practical, research‑based strategies to help adults strengthen developmental relationships with young people. The toolkit includes activities, reflection tools, and guidance designed to boost youth engagement, connection, and long‑term success.