Dana Fusco is Professor of Teacher Education, York College, City University of New York.

"At last we have an anthology that includes writings from across the youth work field! Leaders identify trends and raise critical questions related to competence, standards, education, practices, professional organization, and administration of after school, youth development, and child and youth care programs."—Mark Krueger, Professor of Youth Work, School of Continuing Education, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee."Dana Fusco has brought together an expert group of scholars and practitioners who write with clarity, feeling, and understanding. The authors are adept at integrating research, practitioner wisdom, and observation. In reading this volume, one walks away with vivid images of exemplary youth work, and equally important, with cogent analyses and case examples of effective strategies for youth work education. It raises the bar, and helps set new standards for excellence."—From the foreword by Shepherd Zeldin, Bascom Rothermel Professor of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin- Madison"Youth work is a noble endeavor, but now it is time to build a skilled profession that can support all young people. This volume introduces the creative thinking of leading researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers. It is a must-read!"—Gil G. Noam, Associate Professor of Psychology, Harvard Medical School

• Foreword, Shep ZeldinPrefaceIntroduction1. A Conversation with Ellen Gannett, Dana Fusco and Ellen GannettI. Competencies and Credentials 2. Embedding and Sustaining Youth Worker Core Competencies in Out-of-School Time Programs, Sarah Jonas3. Assessing Youth Worker Competence: National Child and Youth Worker Certification, Dale Curry, Andrew J. Schneider-Muñoz, Frank Eckles, and Carol Stuart4. Establishing Expertise in an Emerging Field, Joyce Walker and Kate Walker5. Youth Work and the Education of Professional Practitioners in Australia, Judith BessantII. Curriculum 6. A Decade of Educating Youth Workers at an Urban Community College, Pete Watkins7. A Chicago Story: Challenge and Change, Michael Heathfield8. The Journey to Becoming a Youth Worker, Camille Williamson9. On Becoming an Academic Profession, Dana Fusco10. Preparing the Next Generation of Professoriate in Youth Studies: Mapping the Contested Spaces, Ross VeLure Roholt and Michael Baizerman11. Youth Development Network: A Site for the Professional Development of Youth Workers, Jacqueline Davis-ManigaulteIII. Contexts of Youth Work 12. Youth Work Practice in England, Helen Jones13. Youth Work as Engagement, Ross VeLure Roholt and Judie Cutler14. Youth Work across Two Diverse Domains of Practice, Jim Sibthorp, M. Deborah Bialeschki, Carol Stuart and Jack Phelan15. A Community Education Approach to Youth Work Education, Joel NitzbergIV. Conclusion 16. Advancing Youth Work: Opportunities and Challenges, Jane Quinn17. Framing Trends, Posing Questions, Dana FuscoAbout the Authors

Dana Fusco is Professor of Teacher Education, York College, City University of New York.

"At last we have an anthology that includes writings from across the youth work field! Leaders identify trends and raise critical questions related to competence, standards, education, practices, professional organization, and administration of after school, youth development, and child and youth care programs."—Mark Krueger, Professor of Youth Work, School of Continuing Education, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee."Dana Fusco has brought together an expert group of scholars and practitioners who write with clarity, feeling, and understanding. The authors are adept at integrating research, practitioner wisdom, and observation. In reading this volume, one walks away with vivid images of exemplary youth work, and equally important, with cogent analyses and case examples of effective strategies for youth work education. It raises the bar, and helps set new standards for excellence."—From the foreword by Shepherd Zeldin, Bascom Rothermel Professor of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin- Madison"Youth work is a noble endeavor, but now it is time to build a skilled profession that can support all young people. This volume introduces the creative thinking of leading researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers. It is a must-read!"—Gil G. Noam, Associate Professor of Psychology, Harvard Medical School

• Foreword, Shep ZeldinPrefaceIntroduction1. A Conversation with Ellen Gannett, Dana Fusco and Ellen GannettI. Competencies and Credentials 2. Embedding and Sustaining Youth Worker Core Competencies in Out-of-School Time Programs, Sarah Jonas3. Assessing Youth Worker Competence: National Child and Youth Worker Certification, Dale Curry, Andrew J. Schneider-Muñoz, Frank Eckles, and Carol Stuart4. Establishing Expertise in an Emerging Field, Joyce Walker and Kate Walker5. Youth Work and the Education of Professional Practitioners in Australia, Judith BessantII. Curriculum 6. A Decade of Educating Youth Workers at an Urban Community College, Pete Watkins7. A Chicago Story: Challenge and Change, Michael Heathfield8. The Journey to Becoming a Youth Worker, Camille Williamson9. On Becoming an Academic Profession, Dana Fusco10. Preparing the Next Generation of Professoriate in Youth Studies: Mapping the Contested Spaces, Ross VeLure Roholt and Michael Baizerman11. Youth Development Network: A Site for the Professional Development of Youth Workers, Jacqueline Davis-ManigaulteIII. Contexts of Youth Work 12. Youth Work Practice in England, Helen Jones13. Youth Work as Engagement, Ross VeLure Roholt and Judie Cutler14. Youth Work across Two Diverse Domains of Practice, Jim Sibthorp, M. Deborah Bialeschki, Carol Stuart and Jack Phelan15. A Community Education Approach to Youth Work Education, Joel NitzbergIV. Conclusion 16. Advancing Youth Work: Opportunities and Challenges, Jane Quinn17. Framing Trends, Posing Questions, Dana FuscoAbout the Authors

Dana Fusco is Professor of Teacher Education, York College, City University of New York.

"At last we have an anthology that includes writings from across the youth work field! Leaders identify trends and raise critical questions related to competence, standards, education, practices, professional organization, and administration of after school, youth development, and child and youth care programs."—Mark Krueger, Professor of Youth Work, School of Continuing Education, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee."Dana Fusco has brought together an expert group of scholars and practitioners who write with clarity, feeling, and understanding. The authors are adept at integrating research, practitioner wisdom, and observation. In reading this volume, one walks away with vivid images of exemplary youth work, and equally important, with cogent analyses and case examples of effective strategies for youth work education. It raises the bar, and helps set new standards for excellence."—From the foreword by Shepherd Zeldin, Bascom Rothermel Professor of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin- Madison"Youth work is a noble endeavor, but now it is time to build a skilled profession that can support all young people. This volume introduces the creative thinking of leading researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers. It is a must-read!"—Gil G. Noam, Associate Professor of Psychology, Harvard Medical School

• Foreword, Shep ZeldinPrefaceIntroduction1. A Conversation with Ellen Gannett, Dana Fusco and Ellen GannettI. Competencies and Credentials 2. Embedding and Sustaining Youth Worker Core Competencies in Out-of-School Time Programs, Sarah Jonas3. Assessing Youth Worker Competence: National Child and Youth Worker Certification, Dale Curry, Andrew J. Schneider-Muñoz, Frank Eckles, and Carol Stuart4. Establishing Expertise in an Emerging Field, Joyce Walker and Kate Walker5. Youth Work and the Education of Professional Practitioners in Australia, Judith BessantII. Curriculum 6. A Decade of Educating Youth Workers at an Urban Community College, Pete Watkins7. A Chicago Story: Challenge and Change, Michael Heathfield8. The Journey to Becoming a Youth Worker, Camille Williamson9. On Becoming an Academic Profession, Dana Fusco10. Preparing the Next Generation of Professoriate in Youth Studies: Mapping the Contested Spaces, Ross VeLure Roholt and Michael Baizerman11. Youth Development Network: A Site for the Professional Development of Youth Workers, Jacqueline Davis-ManigaulteIII. Contexts of Youth Work 12. Youth Work Practice in England, Helen Jones13. Youth Work as Engagement, Ross VeLure Roholt and Judie Cutler14. Youth Work across Two Diverse Domains of Practice, Jim Sibthorp, M. Deborah Bialeschki, Carol Stuart and Jack Phelan15. A Community Education Approach to Youth Work Education, Joel NitzbergIV. Conclusion 16. Advancing Youth Work: Opportunities and Challenges, Jane Quinn17. Framing Trends, Posing Questions, Dana FuscoAbout the Authors