The below resources cover a variety of Diversity and Inclusion Topics, including:
- Equity, Inclusion, and Tolerance
- Immigrants and New Americans
- Race and Ethnicity
- Special Needs
Equity, Inclusion, and Tolerance
Building Partnerships to Reach Diverse Youth – Produced by the Extension Center for Youth Development diversity and inclusion shared learning cohort, University of Minnesota.
Culturally Responsive Youth Work Matters – Explore our own cultural biases and learn how culturally responsive youth work practices can create a sense of belonging and empowerment in children and youth in our programs. 2012, University of Minnesota.
Office of Equity and Diversity, WSU – The Office of Equity and Diversity will achieve this by fostering collaborative partnerships, engaging cultural differences, promoting dialogue, advancing knowledge, and providing community spaces.
Teaching Tolerance – A blog where teachers who care about diversity, equity and justice can find news, suggestions, conversation and support.
Youth-Adult Partnerships – Produced by the Extension Center for Youth Development diversity and inclusion shared learning cohort, University of Minnesota.
Immigrants and New Americans
Center for Victims of Torture – The Center for Victims of Torture works toward a future in which torture ceases to exist and its victims have hope for a new life. We are an international nonprofit dedicated to healing survivors of torture and violent conflict. We provide direct care for those who have been tortured, train partners around the world who can prevent and treat torture, and advocate for human rights and an end to torture. “My Name Is…” includes stories and art by refugees in Minnesota Schools.
Collaborating to Engage immigrant Communities – Produced by the Extension Center for Youth Development diversity and inclusion shared learning cohort, University of Minnesota.
Immigrant Legal Resource Center – This handbook for immigrant youth living in the U.S. has valuable information about living, working and studying here.
Mentor: The National Mentoring Partnership – MENTOR’s mission is to improve and increase mentoring relationships for young people. Download their toolkit focused on skills for program leaders to design, plan, manage and evaluate youth programs specifically for immigrant youth. Each chapter has tools and exercises to help build strong mentoring relationships that can change new Americans’ lives.
Equal Rights Washington (ERW) – Washington’s statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) advocacy and community outreach organization. ERW’s mission is to ensure and promote dignity, safety, and equality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Washingtonians.
GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network) – Pronounced “glisten,” GLSEN is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe and affirming schools for LGBTQ students.
GSA Alliance – GSA Network is a next-generation LGBTQ racial and gender justice organization that empowers and trains queer, trans and allied youth leaders to advocate, organize, and mobilize an intersectional movement for safer schools and healthier communities.
PFLAG – Founded in 1972, PFLAG is the nation’s largest family and ally organization. There are more than 400 chapters throughout the United States.
Race and Ethnicity
The Role of Race and Ethnicity in Mentoring Relationships – An overview of research about the effects of gender, age, ethnicity and culture on mentoring. Sanchez provides examples of how these factors may have different influences on outcomes for specific groups of youth. 2007, University of Minnesota.
Clues – A nonprofit resource and service founded in 1981 by Latinos for Latinos. Programs and services connect families to resources, skills and systems and create an environment for people to be engaged and empowered
Engaging Latino Youth in Community-based Programs – Findings from the first ten years of the Oregon 4-H Latino Outreach Project
Black Youth Project – Online hub where scholars, educators, activists, youth and youth allies can access resources to empower and develop black youth voice.
American Indian Resource Center – Located at Bemidji State University, AIRC supports cultural enrichment related to American Indians. Students and community members can learn about the history, language, and beliefs of native people.
Native American Community Development Institute – An alliance of the major Indian nonprofits and several Indian businesses in the metro area. Committed to building community through sector economic development and large-scale development. NACDI works with American Indian nonprofits to rebuild their structure to respond to the demands and opportunities of the economy.
What is Your Definition of American Indian? – Requires WebEx. Explore our own cultural biases and learn how culturally responsive youth work practices can create a sense of belonging and empowerment in children and youth in our programs. 2016, University of Minnesota.
Working with American Indian Communities – Produced by the Extension Center for Youth Development diversity and inclusion shared learning cohort, University of Minnesota.
Fostering Religious Inclusion – Produced by the Extension Center for Youth Development diversity and inclusion shared learning cohort, University of Minnesota.
Adapting to Serve Youth with Special Needs – Produced by the Extension Center for Youth Development diversity and inclusion shared learning cohort, University of Minnesota.
Autism: 1 in 68, Resources for 4-H Success – McLeod County 4-H program coordinator Darcy Cole presented a workshop on autism spectrum disorder (asd). These slides give background information, incidence statistics and symptoms associated with the disorder as well as strategies and tips for working with youth with asd. (PDF)
Autism Tip Sheet – Timely advice for volunteers and staff working with 4-H youth with autism spectrum disorder. It also includes some key resources for further learning. (PDF created by Minnesota 4-H staffer Darcy Cole.)
Inclusive 4-H – Wyoming 4-H compiled this collection of resources explaining individual disabilities such as AD-HD, Down’s syndrome, or visual impairment, and more. Important definitions are provided as well as causes, specific challenges, and important considerations for Extension professionals and 4-H volunteers.
Leading the Way – A guide to autism-friendly youth organizations.
Making Adaptions – Adaptations, accommodations and modifications 4-H leaders can make to their programs to help youth with disabilities and often all their 4-H’ers. (PDF)
Reaching Youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) – Produced by the Extension Center for Youth Development diversity and inclusion shared learning cohort, University of Minnesota.
University of Minnesota Autism Resources –
- Accessibility checklist
- First-Then-Next board
- Picture Cards
- Today’s Schedule (PDF: 8.5 x 11)
- Today’s Schedule (PDF: 11 x 17)
- How to use Social Stories (Social stories model appropriate social interaction by describing a situation with relevant social cues, others’ perspectives, and suggested appropriate responses.)
- 4-H Club Meetings are Fun! – Social Story
- 4-H Judging at the Fair! – Social Story
Annie E. Casey Foundation – AECF sponsors many initiatives focused on improving the lives of children, families and communities.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation – Works to create opportunities for all children in Washington State to thrive in stable families, great schools, and strong communities.
Bridging the higher ed gap between goals and success – Joanna Tzenis (UMN) focuses on the “capability approach” and shares some ways youth programs can help young people realize their aspirations.
National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) – NCCP uses research to promote economic security, health and well-being of America’s low-income families and children.
National Council of Young Leaders – This diverse group of youth leaders from across the United States created a call to action: Recommendations to Increase Opportunity and Decrease Poverty in America (PDF).
The Role of Risk – This report details key findings on how levels and types of risk impact youth mentoring relationships.