For more than 15 years, Case Western Reserve University has led an academic-community partnership to support professional development for individuals who work as part of Out-of-School Time (OST) programs. The Cuyahoga County Youth Work Institute (CCYWI) was initiated in 2008 as a professional development network that provided training and technical assistance for youth professionals and programs.

The Institute provides professional development programming for the diverse youth-serving workforce. We utilize a theory to practice approach that is based on research, including evidence-based and innovative promising practices. CCYWI participants are encouraged to develop networks with one another to share and develop successful practices and to support the work of others in the field.