Forgotten and Left Behind: Shifting Narratives and Exploring Policy Solutions for Vulnerable Youth and Young Adults provides key insights and next steps from CLASP’s 2017 convening, which discussed the need for a multi-generational, multi-racial, youth-centered dialogue around policy change. Participants recognized that young people should drive the agenda for a stronger, healthier, more just, and more equitable future.
CLASP took away five lessons on how policy stakeholders and advocates can better engage young leaders moving forward, which authors explore in this publication:
- Engage with young adult leaders through actions, not just words.
- During the convening and follow up, young adult leaders expressed strong interest in at least four areas: civic engagement and political power, economic security and mobility, health and healing (including behavioral health and trauma), and justice reform.
- Youth and young adults want policy partners to play a strong role in demystifying public systems, identifying levers that could lead to major change, and understanding how systems can impact young people and their communities.
- Data are very helpful for the conversation.
- Reaching across boundaries between communities to build alliances, and potentially bring in new stakeholders, is valuable but not easy.