How to vet a youth program in Missouri before you enroll your kid

Choosing a youth program is high-stakes. Here are the five questions we ask every provider applying for accreditation, and what good answers sound like.

1. Who facilitates, and what training do they have?

Look for staff with documented training in group control, activity design, and youth development. Our Certified Growth Mindset Facilitators complete three scenario-based courses before they earn the credential.

2. How do you handle behavior and big emotions?

The answer should mention setting expectations, group resets, and co-regulation — not consequences first.

3. What's your safety and incident-report process?

Every accredited provider in our network has a documented safety plan and a written incident-report process.

4. Can I see outcomes from past seasons?

Real numbers (served counts, growth summaries) beat vibes.

5. How do I verify your credentials?

Any GMN-accredited provider has a public badge ID you can look up at growthmindsetnetwork.org/verify.