The Power of Technology: Improving Services, Programs and Policy for Children and Youth

The power of technology: Improving services, programs and policy for children and youth

This document summarizes the report called Using Technology to Provide Support to Children and Youth in Challenging Contexts, produced by the CYCC Network.

It presents how technology is currently being used by innovative organizations to help nurture resilience, prevent mental health problems, and build a special place for vulnerable children and youth in their communities. Examples are taken from the fields of healthcare and violence prevention. Gaps in knowledge and service are identified. The hope is for more organizations to use technology as a tool to support the promotion of positive mental health.

CORE CONCEPTS

Noun: concept ('kän-�sept) an abstract or generic idea generalized from particular instances

The CYCC Network

Knowledge Mobilization

The CYCC Network is a national body with an international reach. We bring together community groups, front line practitioners, government officials, and researchers, all working with children and youth in challenging contexts (CYCC) throughout diverse Canadian communities.

Put simply, “knowledge mobilization” is the process of taking really good ideas and turning them into action. And then taking practices and linking them with theory. It means that good research doesn’t have to just end up on a library shelf. It also means that communities across the country are sharing their ideas of what works with at-risk kids.

We know how to help kids do well in their lives.

Now we just need to share what we know with each other. The CYCC Network represents a combination of local commitment, combined with a national and international platform.

To improve mental health and well-being for vulnerable and at-risk children and youth in Canada and around the world.

Resilience The capacity of young people to navigate their way to the psychological, social, cultural and physical resources they need for well-being. Resilience is also their capacity as individuals, and collectively within communities, to negotiate for these resources to be provided and experienced in culturally meaningful ways.

Best Practices Best Practices emerge when programs and other interventions use evidence-informed practice, and combine these findings with the right mix of programming elements that fit community needs and assets.

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The Power of Technology: Improving Services, Programs and Policy for Children and Youth

Knowledge To truly provide the best service and interventions for at-risk young people, diverse types of knowledge need to be shared and integrated. Academic research (evidence-informed practice) needs to be linked to what service providers are learning (practice-based evidence) and to local community knowledge.

EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE

THIS REPORT

PRACTICE BASED EVIDENCE

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE * arrows show the flow of knowledge

*arrows show the flow of knowledge

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CORE CONCEPTS cont.

Vulnerable children and youth are not all the same; they differ in terms of their experiences, contexts, and cultures. They face common threats to their mental health that come from constraints and challenges built into their community and societal structures. No young person or population of young people is inherently more vulnerable than another. It is the contexts in which they reside that makes them more vulnerable.

These factors often intersect, such that a child or youth is likely to experience several stressors at once.

Some of the common factors that shape these contexts are:

Historical oppression

Social Exclusion

Populations who have been historically exposed to continuous levels of violence and mass trauma such as colonialism, war, genocide, and slavery, typically display higher rates of mental health illness such as suicide ideation, depression, anxiety , and alcohol and substance abuse. Historical oppression can create cycles of violence and trauma within individuals, relationships and communities that can be passed on from one generation to the next.

Social exclusion is exclusion from economic, social, political and/or cultural arenas or everyday life because of indicators such as gender, ethnicity, race, and class. It can be experienced at a personal, community or institutional level.

Marginalization Marginalization is the process by which individuals or groups live at the periphery of society because of their exclusion from the economic, social, political, and/or cultural arenas of everyday life. This process is linked to social status and can have a significant impact on how resources are accessed and mobilized, and how decisions are negotiated and made.

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The Power of Technology: Improving Services, Programs and Policy for Children and Youth

As with historical oppression, marginalization and poverty, experiencing social exclusion can lead to low self-esteem, feelings of hopelessness and depression, and increased risk-taking behaviours, as well as other adverse mental health outcomes.

Poverty Poverty may be one of a range of factors that increase the vulnerability of children and youth.

Populations of Children and Youth that are included in the definition of children and youth in challenging context: ›› Children and youth affected by war »» Child soldiers »» Children and youth in military families »» Refugee children and youth ›› Children and youth affected by natural disasters ›› Immigrant children and youth ›› Children and youth subject to maltreatment ›› Children and youth in alternative care »» Children and youth in institutions »» Youth in juvenile detention

›› Aboriginal children and youth ›› Homeless children and youth ›› Youth gangs ›› Child labourers »» Children and youth in the workplace »» Children and youth who have been trafficked ›› Children and youth living with health-related challenges »» Children and youth living with chronic illness »» Children and youth living with mental illness

A Note on Ethical Considerations Ethical considerations must be taken into account when working with children and youth. These considerations include harm reduction (the benefit must outweigh the risks), informed consent, engagement of children and youth, and program design and content development competence.

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using Technology

Noun: technology (tek' nälƏjē): the use of materials, tools, techniques, and sources of power to make life easier or more pleasant and work more productive.

How technology can help It will come as no surprise to anyone working with young people that technology is deeply rooted in current child, and especially youth, culture.1 Children and youth today are the first generation to never know a world without the World Wide Web. They are the biggest users of social media and are using it to help build a dynamic, positive global community.

..by now, the vast majority of young people are online...”

Young activists around the world are using it, for example, to coordinate protests, communicate between civilian networks, and appeal to the international community to do something to stop violence or injustices happening within their country.

This kind of impact is possible because, by now, the vast majority of young people are “online” – connected in some way to Internet-based communication technology. The Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada released a report in 2010 that estimated that 82% of youth aged 18-24 were exposed to the Internet weekly. According to the National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children, 93% of American youth aged 12-17 are online, with 73% having profiles on social networking cites.2 The Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada released a report in 2010 that estimated that 82% of youth aged 18-24 were exposed to the Internet weekly.3

The use of technology starts at a very young age. Around age eight, children start to become more exposed to social media and technology beyond television.4 As they age, exposure increases and they gradually become more active consumers, depending in part on how much access they have to the latest technologies and their socio-economic status.4

Online communication is becoming the preferred mode of communication.5 Young people report that using on-line communication technologies give them a unique way to experiment with forming their identity6 in ways that face-to-face encounters just don’t allow.5

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The Power of Technology: Improving Services, Programs and Policy for Children and Youth

Online communication is becoming the preferred mode of communication. Young people report that using on-line communication technologies give them a unique way to experiment with forming their identity in ways that face-to-face encounters just don’t allow.”

Support

One of technology’s unique features is its ability to reach young people both in time and space who might not otherwise receive the support they need. Support for a young refugee woman struggling with depression or drug-use, for example, can be as close as an instant message to a counsellor. The use of positive social networking sites can help her connect to a supportive community. While these strategies are not meant to replace face-to-face interactions with health care providers, they can serve as an entryway to in-person support.7

Education

Technology has widened the range and scope of education. Sensitive topics such as sexual health and mental illness can be difficult to talk about. Providing information and resources in a non-confrontational space is a good strategy.8 Anonymous access to an interactive website that provides accurate and engaging information can help break down communication barriers and reduce isolation. Youth have reported feeling empowered by access to this kind of information in this format.10

Access

Access to services can be increased through the use of technology. Specialists are hard to reach in many developing countries or in rural areas in the developed world.

The use of tele-health – where care is provided via devices like mobile phones – can reduce the stress of attending appointments and covering travel costs. Young people and their families receive more timely care at home, something that is particularly useful for some chronic conditions.

Monitoring & Evaluation

Technology is being used in the monitoring and evaluation of programs and interventions.11 The rapid input, transmission, and downloading of data on physical and mental health conditions can make it easier for health care professionals to quickly modify programs.

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PUTTING TECHNOLOGY TO USE Organizations are using different types of technology to provide better support, education, and access to services. In many cases, the best features of one technology are integrated with the strengths of another. This builds layered, highly interactive social networks of support and information that can be used seamlessly.

Note: Where available, the online version of this document contains links to programs listed as examples.

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The Power of Technology: Improving Services, Programs and Policy for Children and Youth

MOBILE PHONEs

Noun: mobile phone (mō’bēl’, -bīl’) - a hand-held mobile radiotelephone for use in an area divided into small sections, each with its own short-range transmitter/ receiver mobile phone - a hand-held mobile radiotelephone for use in an area divided into small sections, each with its own short-range transmitter/receiver.

Can you hear me? Can you hear me now?!

Mobile phones are the most widespread technology on the planet, and could become the world’s first universal communication platform.12 There are more than 4.6 billion mobile phone plans in the world (CBS News, 2010), popular in good part because of their low price. In Africa, for example, there is nearly one mobile phone for every two people.13 The digital divide, or inequality in access to telecommunications, has been decreasing,14 creating more opportunities to use mobile phones to reach a larger, more diverse group of people.

In Africa there is nearly one mobile phone for every two people.

Mobile Phones Mobile phones are increasingly being used in health care to boost access to services.

In South Africa, the Impilo program allows people to find health care providers anywhere in the country 24 hours a day.15 In Mexico, the project Zumbido used group mobile phone communication to help reduce the isolation of youth living with HIV/AIDS. RefugeesUnited relies upon mobile phones in refugee camps around the world to create a database of displaced persons that can help families reunite.15 In Thailand, refugee children and youth are using mobile phones to contribute to a safety map. This project, through the Child Protection Partnership, combines GPS (global positioning system) with a technique called POI Mapping (point of interest).

Children and youth identify safe and risky places, and services and supports, within their camp.

The VozMob project (through Mobile Voices) is a web-based platform for low-wage immigrants in Los Angeles.16,17 It publishes stories about their lives and their communities directly from their mobile phones.

With limited access to computers, developing an accessible, virtual space is critical for their voices to be heard.

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around the world

The Jack Project Canada

RespectED

On the Paths of the Elders

Canada

Thunder Bay, Canada

mindyourmind Ottawa, Canada

e-Ouch速

My Word

Toronto, Canada

Rigolet, Labrador

Teen Mental Health

A-CHESS

Halifax, Canada

Madison, USA

Strongest Families Halifax, Canada

VozMob

The Wireless Headache Intervention

Los Angeles, USA

Halifax, Canada

Circle of 6

Washington DC, USA

Thinking Not Drinking New York, USA

Zumbido

Text to Change

Jalisco, Mexico

South America and Africa

Child Protection Partnership Brazil

RefugeesUnited Copenhagen, Denmark

Child Protection Partnership Thailand

Impilo

Johannesburg

SPARX

MYMsta

Rlabs

Auckland, New Zealand

South Africa

South Africa

Note: this map shows the location of the programs listed in this report. This is not an exhaustive list of technology based programs, nor are they endorsed by the CYCC Network in any way.

MOBILE PHONEs cont.

Texting Texting (sending a brief, electronic message between two or more mobile phones, or fixed or portable devices, over a phone network) is being used to send supportive messages to young people. It can include text-based messages (Short Message Service (SMS)) or messages containing image, video, and sound content (MMS messages).

‘Text’ messages can include images, video, and/or sound.

The organization Texts to Change used SMS to remind patients with HIV to take their antiretroviral treatment, as well as to offer support and encouragement.

Rlabs, out of South Africa, provides youth counselling through mobile chat platforms on issues such as HIV/AIDS, substance use, stress, family violence, and depression.

Mobile Applications Mobile applications (or apps) make up one of the most popular, fastest developing fields in telecommunications technology today.18 Apps are downloadable programs designed to run on smartphone operating systems. Between 2010 and 2011, the number of downloads globally went from nine to 29 billion.19 Apps have enormous potential to increase access to information and improve communication,20 especially with their widespread use in lowincome communities.21 They are at the heart of the development of mobile health, or mHealth, 12

The Power of Technology: Improving Services, Programs and Policy for Children and Youth

which is being used to address a range of health care concerns.21,22 iTunes©, for example, distributes health care apps that address issues ranging from headaches to stress to tracking your health care.

Organizations are using apps in ever-inventive ways.

In the United States, there is an annual Apps Against Abuse challenge.

The 2011 winner was “Circle of 6”. This app allows the user to store six people’s contact information. If a person needs help, such as a ride home, he/she can select this app and an automatic message goes out to the group of six along with her GPS location.

The app A-CHESS (Addiction Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System) was developed for people struggling with an addiction. It has a “panic button” that allows recovering addicts to track their progress, recall motivational stories, communicate with counsellors, and take advantage of smart phone capabilities such as GPS and video chat.23

Apps are at the heart of the development of mobile health, or mHealth, which is being used to address a range of health care concerns.

The Jack Project, in partnership with Canada’s Kids Help Phone, has developed the “Always There” app so youth can use Kids Help Phone through their mobile device.

the Internet

Noun: internet ('in-tƏr-�net) - an electronic communications network that connects computer networks and organizational computer facilities around the world

Let me Google that for you Websites are another common tool for reaching young people with information and support. While there is relatively little knowledge about how young people access information online,24 we know that successful websites have higher degrees of interactivity.25 The idea of the “participative web”26 — where users are involved in various stages of a website’s development and evaluation — is increasingly popular with young people.

There are many interactive websites on the Internet that are designed to support children and youth in challenging contexts.

Some examples include Teen Mental Health, a site that provides resources for teens, health care providers, policymakers, schools, the business community, non-profit organizations, and the general public.27

RespectED focuses on violence prevention and offers online resources, webinars, and training to prevent bullying and child abuse. The program also offers young people tips for healthy relationships and how to heal if abuse has taken place.28

...youth appear to be shifting from websurfing to social networking and social media.

On the website My Word, youth post their own storytelling videos, designed to preserve and promote Inuit oral storytelling.

Social Media Most organizations today have a website to convey information and provide some services. Despite their widespread use, youth appear to be shifting from web-surfing to the use of social networking technologies (i.e. Internet forums, blogs, wikis, social networks, podcasts) and social media.29,30 Social media is a type of social networking technology and it includes content communities like YouTube and social networks like Facebook.

The success of networks like Facebook is rooted in their ability to persuade users to engage and

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the Internet cont.

participate in its functions, such as posting photos, sending messages, and adding friends.31 Organizations and government agencies are beginning to use social media to reach young people with messages designed to promote their well-being and protection.32 Many innovative programs are combining highly interactive websites with social networking technologies in order to maximize outreach. In fact, using just one type of technology is quickly becoming a thing of the past.

Mobile interventions, for example, have website components and use texting, apps, social media and mHealth to create new opportunities to build supportive and creative social networks.

Many innovative programs are combining highly interactive websites with social networking technologies in order to maximize outreach.

MYMsta, out of South Africa, uses mobile phones to form a dynamic social network where users can participate in forums, groups, and messaging.

Young people access information about HIV, workplace skills, and bursary information, and find out about paid and volunteer work opportunities.

Sexual health concerns can be sent to a trained counsellor called “Mizz B� who responds within 48 hours.

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The Power of Technology: Improving Services, Programs and Policy for Children and Youth

mindyourmind also maximizes its impact by building on the capacity of multiple technologies. The awardwinning organization places a strong emphasis on engaging young people and the professionals who serve them to co-develop mental health resources.

Services are accessible via social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, and mobile platforms. Many of its tools are interactive and are designed to be used independently and/or to act as a bridge between the service provider and the youth.

other solutions

Noun: solution (sƏ-'lü-shƏn) - something that is used or done to deal with and end a problem : something that solves a problem

There’s something for everyone!

Despite the growing popularity of integrating technologies, other programs have focused on using one type.

This may be useful when targeting a specific group.14

CD-ROM The alcohol prevention program, Thinking Not Drinking: A SODAS City Adventure, is delivered on a CD-ROM. It has multiple sessions that cover goal setting, peer pressure, decision-making and communication skills.14

Video Games Video can be used to discuss sensitive issues, or to actively address and treat illness. Mental health programs that use video games can be helpful in reaching young people with treatment and information.33-36

...mental health programs that use video games can be helpful in reaching young people...

SPARX (Smart, Positive, Active, Realistic, X-factor thoughts) uses gaming to engage young people with symptoms of depression. This self-help game is delivered on a CD-ROM and it reaches out to youth who might not use conventional counselling.

imagery-based systems — is another technologybased intervention. On the Path of the Elders, an online game that explores Cree and Ojibway history, promotes pride in cultural identity. Elder knowledge is shared with the younger generations in an interactive way that young people can relate to.

Virtual realities are also being developed to serve as a distraction for those suffering with chronic pain.39

E-Diaries E-diaries are electronic devices that can track and collect real-time data such as symptoms, medications, thoughts, and feelings. This has enormous potential for collecting data for program monitoring and evaluation. e-Ouch® is a diary for adolescents living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

The Wireless Headache Intervention is an app that lets users keep an E-diary of their headaches, noting information such as diet and sleep schedule.40

Telephone Strongest Families uses trained coaches to work with children and families over the phone at times that work for the family. The program has proven to have benefits that surpass those of typical in-person care.41

37,38

The use of virtual realities — computer-generated

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limitations

Many organizations that serve children and youth at risk have embraced technology. They understand that if they use the same communication tools that young people are using, they may be able to better engage and support them.

Technology is also cost-effective,7,42 can increase reach,43-45 and makes it easy to keep resources up-to-date.

There are, however, some serious downsides to using technology.

Organizations need to be aware of these and address them when they develop use-of-technology plans and policies.

The organization mindyourmind reports that potential red flags include Internet addiction, cyber bullying, and social isolation.46 Some studies have shown that young people are at a higher risk when online for being targeted by predators.47-50 The number of technology-related crimes and persons who commit them has been increasing, and tactics used by offenders are ever-changing.48 Adults are often the offenders, but online peer abuse and bullying is very common.

In a report done by Child Helpline International, 13 help lines were polled, with 2,255 cases of online abuse reported.51 The actual incidence of this type of violence is estimated to be much higher.

Advances in technology are happening more rapidly than we can imagine. Research and evaluation into how these advances help or hurt young people has not been able to keep pace.43,52 This makes it hard to base programs in evidence and to draw strong conclusions about how well they work.

There is also very little known about longer-term impacts.7,11 With mobile phones, for example, more studies are needed to show the effect on improving treatment adherence.53 The validity and reliability of these interventions is largely unknown.54 Keeping security and safety standards effective and relevant is also a challenge.55 Without established standards or evaluations, there is very little quality control in how technological interventions are developed or implemented. Issues such as privacy and security56,57 have many worried about the increased vulnerability involved in social networking.50,58 Exposure to predators or inappropriate content could harm a young person and promote risky behaviours.59 Continuing efforts to make social networks safe places60 is critical to maximize their potential to promote and protect the well-being of young people online.

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The Power of Technology: Improving Services, Programs and Policy for Children and Youth

...online peer abuse and bullying is very common.�

Advances in technology are happening more rapidly than we can imagine.�

Research and evaluation have not been able to keep pace. �

Where online content comes from is also an issue. It is not always known if mental health professionals, for example, are involved in deciding content. This can be a serious problem when information is provided to youth dealing with issues like depression. mHealth risks not meeting its potential due to small-scale implementations and pilot projects with limited reach.61 Apps are often device-specific, designed for a particular brand or type of phone (such as an iPhone, a Blackberry, or an Android).

There is a need for increased interoperability in order to reach a wider audience.

More broadly speaking, the shift in communication style has been criticized for contributing to shorter attention spans and young people’s tendency to prefer virtual relationships over those that are face-to-face.62 There are health concerns about how technology may encourage inactivity.63

Keeping security and safety standards effective and relevant is also a challenge. ”

Apps are often devicespecific, designed for a particular type of phone” ...the shift in communication style has been criticized for contributing to shorter attention spans”

These limitations can impact an organization’s ability to meet its objectives if it uses technology as another tool to support young people. They need to be addressed and continually re-examined when technology plans and policies are developed and put into action.

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conclusion

Recent years have seen an explosion of new and innovative programs using technology to reach young people. This is being led by the unprecedented uptake of technology by children and youth. Mobile phones, apps, social media, web surfing – this is clearly a world that researchers, service providers, and communities need to actively explore if they want to engage and support young people in challenging contexts. Opportunities will be lost if we do not develop a fuller understanding of technologies’ abilities and limitations, and act on their potential.

Mobile phones, apps, social media, web surfing – this is clearly a world that researchers, service providers, and communities need to actively explore ”

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On the other hand, there is a tendency to view technology as a panacea for all problems when working with youth. Is technology the best approach for reaching young people in challenging contexts? What types of technology are best suited to reach them in their often very diverse settings? These questions and others warrant much more discussion and investigation. Ensuring the safety and security of young people must be paramount.

Breaking down disciplinary barriers and bringing together what researchers, practitioners, and communities already know will move this work forward considerably. Actively sharing this knowledge widely will make it easier for best practices to emerge, leading to more effective policies and practices. This process is already well underway.

The Power of Technology: Improving Services, Programs and Policy for Children and Youth

policy checklist

Service providers, researchers, and communities are starting to actively embrace technology as another way to reach out and support the positive mental health and well-being of vulnerable children and youth.14,43 While much more research and evaluation needs to take place before strong policy options can be made about using technology, enough is known to take steps down that road.

The following checklist is designed to help child- and youth-serving organizations create, review, or revise useof-technology plans or policies. It is also intended to support policy development by all levels of government.

Technology-based policy recommendations

ďƒź

1. We use, or are exploring the use of technology to engage and support children and youth in challenging contexts.

There are leadership roles that youth can fill in our organization to identify and develop the use of technology.

We follow standardized guidelines for ethically sound practices that protect children and youth in challenging contexts.

2. A broad view of who your program stakeholders are will increase your reach in the community and improve the services reaching young people. This partnership building takes time, but it is worth the effort.

Our plan/policy was created with the involvement of people and organizations who will be impacted by the program and who have expertise to share. This includes young people, parents, staff, volunteers, researchers, industry experts, funders, and members of the community.

The people and organizations who helped develop the plan reflect the cultural and context diversity of the children and youth who are the target users of the service.

Our plan builds on the strengths and assets of the children, youth, families, and communities where the program will be rooted.

3. A technology plan or policy can guide your organization on using technology. It can help you create safeguards to protect young people, and your organization, against safety and security threats.

We have developed a use-of-technology plan.

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Technology-based policy recommendations Youth have been meaningfully engaged in the development and implementation of this plan.

Our plan identifies: ››

the gaps in service that will be addressed by using technology

››

the type of technology that will best serve the purpose of the program

››

the systems and supports needed to use this technology

››

how the program will be marketed.

We have access to the expertise needed to implement the plan effectively. This expertise comes from: ››

mental health professionals

››

cultural leaders

››

technology specialists.

Our plan includes: ››

a risk management plan that includes conducting regular risk assessments and procedures for addressing any security concerns such as breaches of and threats to security;

››

a protocol for checking that children and youth from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds can understand the information that will be provided through the use of technology;

››

the need to use a parent/guardian information protocol;

››

the consideration of time and resources for training staff and service users in order to maximize the technology’s impact.

Our plan has a set schedule for review and adjustment of current practices.

4. Program monitoring and evaluation are important to overall program and organizational effectiveness.

A monitoring and evaluation plan has been developed. It is integrated into the design and delivery of the program. Children and youth are engaged in the evaluation.

A Logic Model is developed that will help us identify if we are making progress on reaching our objectives.

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The Power of Technology: Improving Services, Programs and Policy for Children and Youth



Technology-based policy recommendations



5. The long-term success of the program can be strengthened by developing a sustainability plan. This plan addresses funding sources and other elements.

The sustainability plan should (where possible): ››

align program objectives with federal research priorities

››

identify diverse partners in the private and non-profit sectors and how they can be involved

››

identify how monitoring and evaluation will be integrated and completed

››

ensure the program is well-documented and identify how what is learned will be shared with others to inform future projects

››

commit to using open-source technology/software to support the ongoing development of the field.

The sustainability plan is being followed and regularly revised as needed.

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com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2010%2F09%2 FIABCanada_CMUST_TotalCanada_Eng_FINAL_062011. ppt&ei=oh-hUOiOH9DI0AGgrIGoDA&usg=AFQjCNHvse d3iAmx7mnTRo7_Sp4oGuD4EA 4. Gutnick, A., Kotler, J., Robb, M., & Takeuchi, L. (2011).

Always Connected: The New Digital Media Habits of Young Children (p. 48). US: Sesame Workshop & the Hoan Ganz Cooney Centre. Retrieved from http://joanganzcooneycenter.org/upload_kits/jgcc_ alwaysconnected.pdf 5. Leung, L. (2011). Loneliness, social support, and preference for online social interaction: the mediating effects of identity experimentation online among children and adolescents. Chinese Journal of Communication, 4(4), 381–399. doi:10.1080/1754475 0.2011.616285 6. Eagle, G. (2007). Facebook changes the way teens are communicating. Peterborough Examiner. doi:10.1086/346003

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Online psychological treatment for pediatric recurrent pain: A randomized evaluation. Journal of pediatric psychology, 31(7), 724–736.

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violence against children with disabilities: a systematic

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Find this report and more online This summary document is one of three reports of its kind. Other topics in the series include youth engagement and youth exposed to violence. Please go to our website to view these summary document or the full reports that give an in depth review of evidence and full list of references on these topics.

This document should be referenced as follows: CYCC Network (2013). The power of technology: Improving services, programs and policy for children and youth. Retrieved from: http://cyccnetwork.org/technology

Funding for the CYCC Network is provided by the Networks of Centres of Excellence

Get in touch 6420 Coburg Road PO Box 15000 Halifax, NS, B3H 2Z8 Canada phone: 902.494.4087 email: cycc@dal.ca www.cyccnetwork.org