NCJ Number
209562
Date Published
2005
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This guide offers city leaders ideas on how to reconnect with disconnected youth.
Abstract
Disconnected youth deserve the chance to get back on their feet and city leaders can help by responding to the many needs of this at-risk community. The main reasons city leaders should be interested in helping disconnected youth are presented and include the promotion of equity and the chance to strengthen communities. Following a discussion of the problem of disconnected youth in America, the guide presents several main principles that govern the successful reconnection with youth, such as intervening early and insisting upon accountability. For city leaders who want to create a comprehensive plan for reaching out to disconnected youth, several steps of the planning process are articulated. Ideas are offered on how to develop workforce and school connections in an effort to offer a comprehensive and multi-agency response to the needs of disconnected community youth. The importance of supporting disconnected youth going through life transitions is underscored, such as being released from correctional facilities or aging out of the foster care system, and examples are offered of ways municipalities can help ensure smooth transitions. Examples of successful initiatives from 12 other cities are presented.