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Media Contact Recommendation Form

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE

in recommending contact people around the state for the release of the final Commission Report

printable version of request

As we approach the release of the Commission report in May, we are developing a media plan and ground strategy to ensure effective coverage of the report across the state over the next 6 months. We have been working with Action Media Communications to devise a release plan that will reach Minnesota's approximately 33 daily newspapers with news about the Commission report. We hope to maximize local interest where possible by adapting stories for geographical locations. We will do this by designing articles to feature local spokespersons, experts, community youth program contacts and youth. These roles are described below.

Commissioners will be asked to serve as spokespersons where possible, but we need additional suggestions from community leaders to ensure coverage across the state. Action Media will conduct telephone interviews with selected individuals.

A recommendation form may be downloaded at
http://www.mncost.org/MediaContactRecommendations.doc

Spokespersons enjoy some recognition and respect for their support of youth and youth issues, but are not members of the youth serving community.
Spokespersons will most often be "authors" of Op Eds.

• respected community leaders with a reputation for supporting youth issues
• senior citizens who could speak to the values youth learn in community experiences
• police who could address community youth development experiences as an investment in youth as well as the community
• adults whose children are grown but have benefited from their experiences in community settings

Local Experts may be people who have been recognized for their knowledge or expertise in the area of youth development
These people will often be quoted in an article.

• teachers or principals who could speak positively about the importance of developmental opportunities outside of school
• Community Organization President with a commitment to youth issues
• Pediatrician
• Legal (Juvenile Court Judge) or other professional with the ability to send a message about the importance of supporting youth

Community Youth Program Contacts should be community based providers of services, if possible, to underscore the importance of community settings for youth development experiences that contribute to the community while supporting the development of youth.
Media inquiries about youth programs should be directed to these contacts.

• Directors in community youth program settings, like the Boys and Girls Clubs or YMCA
• Other representatives in organizations operating in a host of community settings with a variety of affiliations.

Youth are individuals who can speak articulately and positively about their experiences in community programs.
Youth may be quoted in articles.

• Active participants (current or former) in community youth program settings

How the Process Would Work:

A local article might sound like this:
"The Minnesota Commission on Out of School Time released a report today about the essential role of community opportunities in supporting the optimal development of youth. The report finds that young people need experience with problem solving, teamwork, decision making, leadership, and community contribution in order to build and reinforce these "solid citizen" connections in their brains. Such experiences are available in the communities where young people live and become an extension of the experiences provided by their families. The great news is that youth contribute to the vitality of their communities as they become fully integrated into the world they will inherit. Ensuring positive youth development opportunities also ensures communities have young people ready to step up to the plate as adults.
Meeting over the past year, the Commission has identified recommendations that propose ways in which Minnesota can become more systematic and coordinated in providing opportunities supportive to youth as their developmental progress naturally moves them toward community experiences that prepare them for adulthood.

Commissioner Les Heitke is the Mayor of Willmar and believes the Commission recommendation about increasing community capacity to ensure all youth have opportunities to enhance their development is particularly relevant to Minnesota towns where fewer programs limit the number of youth able to participate. Mayor Heitke believes small communities such as his would benefit from leadership at the state level that can effectively stimulate more opportunities in communities across the state, while capitalizing on local flexibility. (spokesperson)

Willmar High School Principle Nathan Brown adds an additional concern about the number of students who are not involved in community activities so vital to their maturation. "As a principle for the past twenty years, I have seen the remarkable transformation of many young people from shy introverts to responsible, articulate leaders through their experiences with things like community service outside of school. "The unfortunate fact is the number of high quality community experiences available for youth in our community continues to decline, leaving the positive development of too many students in jeopardy." (expert)

According to Commission recommendations, the involvement of youth with adults in identifying what's working and what is lacking in their communities is essential to ensuring their role in creating relevant solutions. Mindy Brown, Jr. at Willmar Senior High School feels youth participation with adults is a great example of a community based learning opportunity that will reinforce young people's likelihood of seeing themselves as responsible contributors. "It's so cool to sit down with the Wilmer City Council and be on the same level as adults in a discussing how our community can provide experiences that respect every young person's need to practice the roles we will someday play as adults." (youth)

For more information about the Commission report, contact (name of local contact) or Ann Lochner lochn006@umn.edu or 612-624-8190