Citywide Youth Coalition, Inc.

Elaine Johnson

Elaine Johnson is the Senior Fellow for Youth Development Affairs at the Academy for Educational Development (AED), and formerly the Director of the National Training Institute for Community Youth Work and a Vice President at AED in Washington, D.C.  She served as the Deputy Director of the AED Center for Youth Development and Policy Research, Director of Local Initiatives at the Children's Defense Fund, and as a Region Director for Camp Fire Boys and Girls, Inc.  Ms. Johnson has substantial experience in technical assistance, training, creating and managing national youth development initiatives. Ms Johnson created and led the expansion of the National BEST Network comprised of more than 40 local and regional intermediaries that coordinate training and educational programs for youth workers and supervisors. Ms. Johnson provided guidance and oversight for several nationally recognized  professional  development  publications, including the nationally recognized  Advancing Youth Development Curriculum for Training Youth Workers, Supervising Youth Development Practice, and the BEST Youth Worker Apprenticeship On the Job Training Guide. Ms Johnson is a national spokesperson on youth development, youth worker professional development, and workforce issues. Ms. Johnson has served as Vice Chair of the Multicultural Service Center in Washington, DC, and the AED Diversity Task Force. Ms Johnson was a contributor to Training for Service Delivery to Minority Clients published by Family Service Association of America. Johnson's career also included serving as Executive Director of the YWCA of Greater New Orleans,   Northeast Regional Director, Campfire USA, Director of Local Demonstration Projects, Children's Defense Fund,  and  Director of Family Advocacy for Family Service of Greater New Orleans.  Ms. Johnson holds a Master of Social Work degree from Tulane University and has a B.A. in Sociology from Xavier University of Louisiana.