CLASP's youth policy work aims to advance policy and practice that will dramatically improve the education, employment, and life outcomes for youth in communities of high youth distress. Learn more>>
Pathways to Reconnection for Disconnected Youth
We advocate for federal policies that meet the education and training needs of the millions of young people ages 16 to 24 who are disconnected from school and employment. Read more>>
Building the Capacity of Communities
We work with communities to identify and highlight effective cross-system approaches that can provide opportunities for youth to complete their education, enter the labor market and improve their life outcomes. Read more>>
Supports and Strategies for Youth of Color
We highlight the depth of the disadvantaged and disconnected youth problem for young people of color in some of the nation's most challenged communities and propose strategic solutions. Read more>>
Budget Proposal Makes Key Investments, But Still Falls Short
By Kisha Bird
On Wednesday, President Obama released his long-awaited budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2014. Typically, the President's budget is released in February. This year, it was pushed back as he and Congress addressed the recent budget sequestration-arbitrary and indiscriminate cuts enacted through the Budget Control Act and the ongoing tug of war to fund the federal government. The President's budget ends sequestration, outlining proposals to increase revenues from high-income earners, but it also reduces federal funding to support low-income working families and communities. With so many already struggling, those proposed reductions have advocates concerned.
Still, the President's commitment to education, research, and infrastructure is certainly reflected in the FY 2014 budget. In addition to making unprecedented investments in early learning, the budget acknowledges investments for disadvantaged and disconnected youth. In this tough political and economic climate, the President's budget proposes:
- Includes $12.5 billion for the Pathways Back to Work Fund, including $2.5 billion for summer and year-round employment for youth and $10 billion for subsidized jobs for low-income adults. The proposed funding for the Pathways Back to Work will require Congress to act, reintroduce and pass bills previously introduced.
Data Resources for Communities!
To promote greater understanding of the scope of the disconnected youth problem in high poverty, urban areas, we created the "Keeping Youth Connected" Data Profile Project. Local data on indicators related to education, crime and victimization, employment, and family stability is available in a PDF data profile or downloadable in Excel. Currently 20 communities are available. READ MORE »- CLASP's Youth Policy Team | Apr 18, 2013 Keeping Connected Youth Newsletter - April 2013
- Rhonda Tsoi-A-Fatt Bryant | Apr 03, 2013 Taking Aim at Gun Violence: Rebuilding Community Education and Employment Pathways
- Rhonda Tsoi-A-Fatt Bryant, Linda Harris, Kisha Bird | Feb 19, 2013 Investing in Boys and Young Men of Color: The Promise and Opportunity
- Linda Harris and Kisha Bird | Jul 31, 2012 Comments to U.S. Department of Education Request for Information on Strategies for Improving Outcomes for Disconnected Youth
- Rhonda Tsoi-A-Fatt Bryant | Oct 16, 2012 Commentary on Children, Families and Poverty: Definitions, Trends, Emerging Science and Implications for Policy
- CLASP's Youth Policy Team | Apr 18, 2013 Keeping Connected Youth Newsletter - April 2013
- Rhonda Tsoi-A-Fatt Bryant | Apr 03, 2013 Taking Aim at Gun Violence: Rebuilding Community Education and Employment Pathways
- CLASP's Youth Policy Team | Feb 22, 2013 "Keeping Connected" eUpdate
- CLASP's Youth Policy Team | Feb 21, 2013 Keeping Connected Youth Newsletter - February 2013
- Rhonda Tsoi-A-Fatt Bryant, Linda Harris, Kisha Bird | Feb 19, 2013 Investing in Boys and Young Men of Color: The Promise and Opportunity









