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At press time, 68 teenagers and their chaperones from communities as far flung as Noses Lake, Wash.; Flint, Mich.; and Ft. Pierce, Fla. were packing their bags to prepare for a trip to the nation's capital.
NACo invited the young people to be special guests at its 1997 Legislative Conference. They were asked to participate in a National Youth Forum cosponsored by NACo and its affiliate, the National Association of County Training and Employment Professionals (NACTEP).
The forum, titled "Pathways to Success: Improving Employment and Training Opportunities for America's Youth," is part of an ongoing effort by NACo's employment and training team to foster effective county programs that help youth become productive, working members of the community.
One of the primary ways NACo carries out this mission is by showcasing model youth programs, particularly those funded by the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). Through newsletter stories, case studies, training sessions and annual awards, NACo's employment and training staff highlight innovative local programs that encourage at-risk youth to stay in school, assist those who have dropped out and enhance the future employability of all youth.
The National Youth Forum is part of that effort. Too often, critics point to various studies to argue that youth programs don't work. In contrast, the National Youth Forum is a celebration of programs that do work.
All of the 68 teens attending the forum were influenced positively by a youth program. All were at one time considered "at-risk." Most come from economically disadvantaged families. Some may even have had brushes with the law.
At the forum, these young people will share their experiences with various audiences and discuss ways communities can pool their resources to create effective youth programs.
For example, the teens will participate in a panel session at the conference titled "Voices of Youth: Pathways to Success." Some will staff a "youth resources" display table in the exhibit hall. One young person will speak at a plenary session before the 2,300 delegates to the conference. And all of them will meet with members of Congress to describe firsthand how they have benefited from JTPA youth programs.
While busy educating others, the teens will enjoy a rich learning experience. While in Washington, they will attend a briefing on how a bill becomes a law, visit the Capitol, tour the White House, participate in a roundtable discussion with county elected officials, and listen to addresses by national political figures at major conference sessions.
The forum comes at a time when youth programs are undergoing tremendous change. Since passage of the 1994 School-to-Work Opportunities Act, states and localities have begun integrating education, career exploration, skill training and work-based learning programs to help youth make a smoother transition from school to work. At the same time, Congress has slashed funding in recent years for JTPA year-round and out-of-school programs.
As a result, NACo and NACTEP's goals are twofold: to help localities create even stronger youth programs, despite shrinking resources; and to share with the wider community the importance of youth development activities. At NACo's Legislative Conference, 68 enthusiastic young people will help them achieve both goals.
(County Services News was written by Cindy
Kenny, senior research associate.)