What do Star Trek, musicals, and building equitable programs have in common? As it turns out, quite a bit! Drawing inspiration from the Star Trek Strange New Worlds' musical episode, this synthesis explores the parallels between the collaborative approach taken in creating a musical within the Star Trek universe and the principles employed in our Framework for Equitable Quality Improvement Systems.

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.

Medicaid funds can serve as a sustainable source of funding for states to support youth health and mental health. That is, if states maximize its potential. Learn about three ways states have maximized the use of Medicaid to support youth-serving systems.

Conditions in Washington, D.C.’s juvenile facilities were not only dangerous and overcrowded when Forum President & CEO Mishaela Durán went to work for the D.C. Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) in 2005, they also provided scant opportunities and services to help youth there succeed in school, work, and life after incarceration. However, a shift to a Positive Youth Justice (PYJ) model that integrated community organizations changed that. More than 15 years later, this model is still the guiding principle at DYRS, and a body of evidence now shows providing developmentally appropriate services to court-involved youth helps set them on a positive trajectory.