News

Youth Technology Labs
Date Posted: 5/13/2005

Army Child and Youth Services (CYS) teams continue to field Youth Technology Labs (YTL) in garrison School Age Centers and Youth Centers. There are 194 YTL funded as a CYS deployment support initiative to increase youth communications with deployed parents. Priority is given to installations most impacted by the Global War on Terrorism.

Fielding of Army CYS YTL began in August 2004. Over 100 YTL have been fielded to-date with the remaining 94 targeted for completion by the end of September 2005.

Youth Technology Labs include hardware, software, print and electronic curriculum designed for children and youth between the ages of 6-18 years. Combined with children, youth, staff and their collective creativity, the YTL is a unique place where children and youth learn about technology and how it is integrated into the world around them.

Child and Youth Services has technology labs for children and youth to support soldier readiness and the well-being of military families by functioning as a safe, secure and age appropriate place where children and youth can engage in technology-based activities and programs, thereby reducing lost duty time due to lack of child/youth supervision.

This mission is intended to mean different things to different people, but the bottom line remains the same. The YTL exists to provide a safe, secure place for children and youth while their parents are doing the Army’s work.

The YTL also meets another CYS goal, to provide predictable services from installation to installation. Children/youth can be sure to find the same kinds of activities, clubs, and relationships when they relocate with their families.

Link for more info: http://www.armymwr.com/portal/family/childandyouth