“Youth workers play a critical role in today’s society. For working parents, youth workers who staff after-school and community-based programs provide a bridge of vital supports, services and opportunities for children and youth between the end of the school day and the end of the work day. For children and youth across the nation, youth workers serve as positive adult role models, mentors, coaches, tutors and friends. And for our most vulnerable youth, youth workers at programs focused on providing vocational training, substance abuse and prevention, residential treatment and a host of other services are a lifeline.” - Next Generation Youth Work Coalition: Putting Youth Work on the Map
Read more about how San Fransisco is promoting a strong youth development workforce. You'll see that professional development is a key part of the framework.