Exploring Competencies in Context: Critical Considerations for after-School Youth Program Staff

Abstract Youth workers play an important role in youths’ experiences in after-school programs. Although many staff competency frameworks exist, little attention has been given to understanding how characteristics related to youth and their community and program contexts inform staff competencies. A systematic search of review papers in four databases yielded two foundational review articles on youth worker competency frameworks. We explore how the competencies least reflected in the literature may be critical for youth workers, particularly for individuals working with youth in communities facing systemic marginalization. Ongoing critical analysis of the literature’s best practices will reflect the value and potential of youth workers and move the field toward more thoughtful and just youth programming.