Access to food, housing, and medical care is critical for young people's development. Yet, many public benefits programs are not designed with their unique needs in mind. In a blog co-authored by Meghan McCann, Vice President of State Policy at the Forum, and Heather Hahn and Laura Wagner from the Urban Institute, we explore how a positive youth development approach can make safety net programs more accessible and effective for youth.

With youth unemployment on the rise, innovative workforce development initiatives are emerging. The growing demand for infrastructure workers presents a distinctive chance to involve youth from historically underrepresented groups, addressing equity gaps and promoting a more inclusive economy. The intersection of federal funding for infrastructure and youth apprenticeships becomes a focal point for policy, providing a ripe opportunity to narrow equity divides, foster inclusive economies, and nurture a skilled talent pipeline for the future.

As youth move through the education to workforce continuum, they encounter several important transition points critical to their development. When systems work together to ensure these inflection points are met with support, youth are better able to succeed. This blog examines these transition points and the strategies to support youth in navigating them.