Evaluating the implementation and impact of RWJF's Next Generation Community Leaders initiative

The Foundation's program, New Jersey Health Initiatives, was designed to support projects in New Jersey that develop new approaches to resolving the state's health care needs, focusing on the Foundation's goal areas.This grant supports the evaluation of the first cohort of the New Jersey Health Initiatives' Next Generation Community Leaders (NGCL) program. The NGCL program has awarded 10 organizations with three-year grants. To be guided by adult mentors, the program is designed to encourage civic engagement by youths. Among the program's objectives is helping teams of youths to design and participate in community-serving and health-promoting summer work experiences. The evaluation will examine: (1) the NGCL program sites' abilities to recruit and prepare young adults to engage in civic activities in their communities; (2) youths' ability to plan and implement health-promoting summer work programs; (3) each site's adherence to the principles of guided participation; and (4) the program's recommended best practices. A preliminary report will be completed by July 2018 to guide internal improvements for the next cohort of youths and coaches to participate in the program. Findings from this project will be shared at professional conferences (e.g., the American Public Health Association) with state and national stakeholders interested in engaging youths to build healthier communities and will be published in peer-reviewed journals (e.g., the American Journal of Public Health).