Comprehensive statewide approach to improve youth outcomes: experience of the New York State Youth Development Team.

Best practice research indicates a need for a policy shift toward positive youth development (YD) principles and strategies. The New York State Youth Development Team (YDT) is a public-private partnership of leading agencies whose holistic vision, "families, schools and communities partner to support the development of healthy, capable and caring youth," requires key stakeholders at all levels to address adverse youth health outcomes through effective partnerships. To transform the YDT vision into statewide practice requires committed actions (policy, funding, and training) at the state and community levels.