Youth Engagement
Research shows that youth engagement contributes to higher academic competency and motivation, improved graduation rates, and a positive school climate.
OSPI is committed to authentically engaging students and young adults to share their experience, strength, and hope and help build statewide support for schools to create environments that incorporate student engagement in meaningful ways. Through initiatives like Natural Helpers, we empower youth to take active roles in fostering connection, support, and belonging among their peers by creating a foundation for stronger school communities and improving well-being.
Natural Helpers
Natural Helpers is a peer-to-peer support program that empowers students to build caring, inclusive school communities. It trains youth to recognize when peers need help and connect them to trusted resources, fostering a culture of empathy and belonging.
The Natural Helpers Toolkit provides schools with practical guidance, templates, and activities to implement and sustain the program. It includes steps for recruitment, training, and ongoing support to ensure students have the skills and confidence to make a positive impact.
- Natural Helpers Toolkit
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Natural Helpers Toolkit is a comprehensive, flexible resource that guides schools through every step of implementing the Natural Helpers: Reimagined program, from planning and survey selection to retreat training, lessons, activities, and ongoing support. It provides ready‑to‑use materials, guidance, and customizable tools designed to strengthen peer support networks and improve school climate. This toolkit is intended for use throughout the full implementation cycle, supporting both new and returning schools.
Natural Helpers Lessons provide structured lessons that reinforce core peer‑helping skills, including communication, self‑care, and knowing when to refer. These lessons are designed for ongoing use throughout the school year to support and strengthen the Natural Helpers program.
Natural Helpers Retreat Slide Deck guides schools through the full retreat training, covering core helping skills, self‑care, and practice scenarios. It is meant to be used during the Natural Helpers retreat to support consistent facilitation and student skill‑building.
Youth Engagement and Hart’s Ladder
Roger Hart’s ladder of children’s participation is adapted from Sherry Arnstein’s “ladder of citizen participation” (1969) which related to citizen involvement in planning processes in the United States.
Hart’s model (1992) has eight rungs and two main zones he calls ‘Non-Participation’ and ‘Degrees of Participation.’ The top five rungs, in the ‘Participation’ zone all represent different but valid forms of participation while the three lowest rungs are all designated as “non-participation.” Though authentic engagement doesn’t mean you should reach the top rung of the ladder, the goal is to stay out of the non-participation rungs.
Source: Ladder of Children's Participation – Organizing Engagement
Since 2004, MENTOR Washington has been a key supporter of mentoring programs across the state. They assist over 150 organizations by providing training, building capacity, offering funding, developing resources, and ensuring quality.
To learn more about their work or to find out how you can become a mentor, visit www.mentorwashington.org.
- Youth Engagement Resources
- Mentoring
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- Youth Mentoring at Community for Youth
- Boys & Girls Club Year 2 Report
- Career Integrated Mentoring
- 5th Edition of Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring -MENTOR's key publication, the Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring™, provides guidelines based on research and expert approval for creating and maintaining high-quality youth mentoring programs. These standards help build strong and impactful mentoring relationships. The Fifth Edition was released in January 2025, and it includes the latest research, practices, and insights in the mentoring field.