School-Age and Youth Development (SAYD)
In 2008, the Professional Development Advisory Council (PDAC) outlined specific steps within their strategic plan to officially facilitate the inclusion of school-age and youth development practitioners into Gateways to Opportunity, the Illinois Professional Development System. Progress continues on the development of the School-Age and Youth Development (SAYD) Credential and the integration of resources specific to the needs of SAYD practitioners. Like other Gateways credentials, the SAYD Credential builds upon identified knowledge, skills, and dispositions critical to those who work with school-age children and youth. The SAYD Credential Level 1 training series and credential is now available. It was developed as an entry-level training to address a broad range of concepts for those who work with children and youth. The SAYD Credentials Levels 2–5, when complete, will validate an individual’s professional achievements, experience, knowledge, skills, educational attainment, and training accomplishments.
Below are questions asked frequently about the school-age and youth development field in Illinois:
- What are some typical SAYD workplace settings, programs, and roles in Illinois?
School-age and youth development programs serve children and youth from 5–21 years old before or after school and on full days during public school vacations or breaks. Programs may be housed in school-based or center-based settings, such as parks district buildings, YMCAs/YWCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, family child care settings, faith-based settings, military bases, or other community facilities.
Positions in school-age programs include director, recreation leader, group worker, teacher, and site coordinator. Positions in youth development programs include director, youth aid, youth leader, and youth worker. Staff qualifications and staffing patterns are regulated by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) for IDCFS-licensed settings (e.g., center-based settings, family child care settings, and some community- and faith-based settings). School-age programs located in public schools are exempt from IDCFS licensing standards. Access IDCFS licensing regulations for family child care settings at www.state.il.us/dcfs/docs/406.doc and www.state.il.us/dcfs/docs/408.doc and IDCFS licensing regulations for center-based settings at www.state.il.us/dcfs/docs/407.doc.
Read the profiles of two individuals who work with school-age and youth development programs in Illinois. Mike Heathfield is a Professor at Harold Washington Community College in Chicago and Coordinator of Social Work and Youth Programs. Stacie Haley is the Director of the 21st Century Schools program administered through the Tazewell County Health Department.
- 36% provide direct services for youth and/or families as their primary job role.
- 28% fulfill a program administration role.
- 6% provide a combination of direct service and program administration.
- 30% fulfill “other” roles, which include clerical support, transportation services, food preparation, volunteer coordination, community outreach, and maintenance and building support.
SAYD workers are diverse by age.
- 12% were under 21 years old
- 28% were between 22–29 years old
- 18% were between 30–39 years old
- 43% were at least 40 years old
SAYD workers have a variety of educational backgrounds.
- 4% had a doctoral degree
- 21% had a master’s degree
- 28% had a bachelor’s degree
- 8% had an associate’s degree
- 9% had a high school diploma
- 2% had less than a high school diploma
SAYD workers study in many different major areas.
- 40% Education
- 6% Psychology
- 5% Business
- 5% Social Work
- 3% Sociology
- 3% Nursing
- 3% Human Services
SAYD workers have a variety of credentials, certifications, and accreditations.
- 23% had a public school teaching certificate
- 13% a food sanitation certificate
- 6% had a school-age care certificate or youth development/youth worker certificate
- 5% had a Child Development Associate (CDA) or a Child Care Professional certificate
Access the full survey report here.
- How are the professional development needs of SAYD practitioners addressed in the Gateways to Opportunity system?
Gateways to Opportunity currently has an Ad Hoc School-Age and Youth Development Credential Committee to “develop and integrate a credential for school-age and youth development practitioners.” Through the oversight of PDAC and the Qualifications, Credentials, and Pathways Committee, the SAYD Credential Level 1 curriculum was piloted in 2011. With anticipated statewide rollout in 2012. The Ad Hoc SAYD Credential Committee is currently developing Levels 2–5 of the credential. In addition to the development of the SAYD Credential, the Gateways to Opportunity Web site provides a variety of information to help school-age and youth development practitioners with their professional development.
- What other organizations and offices provide training, funding, and resources for school-age and youth development programs and practitioners in Illinois?
Note that some of the following organizations provide services to the general public, while others provide services only to their grantees.
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