What is the YAA all about?

The Younger Americans Act establishes, for the first time, a national youth policy.

It identifies that there are five core needs that all young people ages 10 to 19 have, and that there needs to be a coordinated effort, with adequate resources, to ensure that all communities are able to provide programs that help fulfill these needs.

  The five core needs are:

·         Ongoing relationships with caring adults;

·         Safe places with structured activities;

·         Access to services that promote healthy life-styles, including those designed to improve physical and mental health;

·         Opportunities to acquire marketable skills and competencies; and

·         Opportunities for community service and civic participation.

What does the YAA do?

·         Creates a comprehensive national youth policy

·         Provides $5.75 billion over 5 years to support existing and future youth development programs

·         Gives youth a voice in decision-making

·         Supports all youth, but provides targeted funding for those young people most in need

What types of programs will YAA fund?

The YAA does not prescribe specific programs to be funded.  Instead, it allows communities to decide what types of youth development programs will fulfill the five core needs, and to use YAA funding to ensure these programs and services are available to all youth. 

  These programs and services include:

·         Community youth centers

·         Workforce preparation programs

·         Youth-led programs

·         Community service programs

·         Mentoring programs

·         Cultural programs

·         Sports programs

  and so much more

  Why me?

  Why should you get involved? 

  Three reasons:

·         You can benefit from the programs and services the YAA will fund

·         You can have a voice in determining what your community really needs, and the ability to help fund those needs

·         You have the power to make this happen

  The YAA will be a landmark act for every young person in America: you play a big role in  making it a reality!