What sets YPAR apart from many youth development frameworks is its focus on action, authentic youth leadership, and community empowerment through attainment of knowledge. YPAR does not set up young people as recipients of a service, instead it helps young people realize their full potential through self-agency.

Many community-based groups struggle to move from meetings to action. With YPAR, the King County Youth Advisory Council can build a community space, create group norms, identify and discuss issues in their communities, and learn research skills to move into action-oriented steps to arrive at community solutions driven by youth voice.