Embed near-peer members within established community youth-serving organizations during extended-day hours rather than creating parallel systems¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

For extended-day (after-school and summer) programming, the report recommends embedding members inside existing youth-serving organizations and targeting out-of-school hours when students may be most vulnerable. As printed: "Embedding YMHC members within established youth-serving organizations rather than creating parallel systems better leverages existing relationships, trust, and resources." The strategy blends tutoring, enrichment, and emotional support, and aligns member professional development with graduate education requirements.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Established after-school programming infrastructure in the community
• Members who can connect authentically with diverse student populations

Constraints¶

• The report ties this strategy to communities with existing extended-day infrastructure and community organizations able to enhance capacity

Target Learners¶

• middle school students in extended-day programs
• families in underresourced communities

Target Learning Goals¶

• emotional regulation and coping strategies
• academic engagement outside school hours

Related Strategies¶

• Embed supplemental one-on-one tutoring within the school day using existing school support staff

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• WestEd. (2025). Local Partnerships, National Impact: Year 1 of the Youth Mental Health Corps. https://www.wested.org/resource/building-a-model-of-student-centered-support-through-the-youth-mental-health-corps/