Child Trends, in partnership with a Research Group of youth and adult advocates and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation (Foundation), built on existing research to refine the Authentic Youth Engagement in Policy Framework (Framework). The Framework was designed to help organizations examine and strengthen their youth engagement efforts and was informed by five organizations' efforts. To generate a deeper understanding of youth engagement across a larger sample of organizations and inform future philanthropic investments and technical assistance, this study applies the Framework to 32 organizations across the United States engaging youth in the policy process to answer the following research questions:
- How are youth involved in policy efforts?
- At what stages of the policy process are youth engaged?
- How do organizations empower and support youth?
- What local factors help or hinder authentic youth engagement?
- What outcomes are achieved through authentic youth engagement?
In answering these questions, we identified several strengths and areas for continued growth in organizations' youth engagement efforts. In addition to informing the Foundation's work, Child Trends is using these findings to (1) provide technical assistance and facilitate peer learning among the participating organizations, and (2) develop and share resources with the broader field to strengthen capacity for authentic youth engagement in the policy process. We share these findings to inform the broader youth-serving field's understanding of youth engagement in the policy process as we collectively seek to continue strengthening partnerships with youth, building organizational capacity and supports, and ultimately improving outcomes.
Definitions
- Youth: Organizations had different age ranges for defining "youth," which typically included ages 16 to 24. Some organizations partner with individuals with lived experience in the systems they are seeking to improve (e.g., the child welfare system) without an age limit.
- Authentic youth engagement: "Youth are active partners in shaping decisions, policies, and programs; empowered and valued as contributors, co-creators, and decision makers in their communities; and intentionally supported in these roles." [i]
Appendix A defines key terminology from the Authentic Youth Engagement in Policy Framework.
Reference
[i] McKlindon, A., Holquist, S., Scott, A., Ball, J., Conway, J., Calderon, I., Clark, J., DeLeon-Alvarado, T., Flores, B., Gutierrez, B., Joo, S., Monrose, N., Robinson, F., Rudy-Johnson, D. Stoute, K., and Turner, T. (2025). Authentic Youth Engagement in Policy: Summary Report. Child Trends. DOI: 10.56417/4167f6834r
Suggested Citation
McKlindon, A., Scott, A., Ball, J., Naylon, K., Reyes, L., & Holquist, S. (2026). Cross-organization insights on authentic youth engagement in policy. Child Trends. DOI: 10.56417/8353l3673i