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9 Next Steps
Pages 401-418

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From page 401...
... Finally, we summarize our observations regarding the research needed to provide a stronger evidence base for the development of policies and programs that better support young adults. OVERALL CONCLUSIONS ABOUT POLICIES AND PROGRAMS THAT SERVE YOUNG ADULTS Three overall conclusions emerged from our review of public and private policies and programs pertaining to the domains of education and employment, civic engagement and national service, public health, health care systems, and government programs for marginalized young adults.
From page 402...
... In the realm of health, several major federal agencies and all state and local public health departments have programs that target many of the public health priorities for young adults identified in this report, including tobacco control, obesity prevention, injury prevention, and prevention of unprotected sexual activity. Health care coverage for young adults is fragmented across policies that guide employer-based insurance, insurance purchased through exchanges, student health coverage, and Medicaid.
From page 403...
... A few exceptions include federal and state policies and programs that support young adults aging out of foster care and the young adult justice policies in several states. Some additional programs, such as YouthBuild, serve primarily young adults and older adolescents.
From page 404...
... For example, there is some evidence on successful workforce programs for young and older adults and youth with relatively strong basic skills, and limited evidence on programs designed to improve success rates for disadvantaged students who enroll in college. Research suggests that integrating useful labor market information or training into such developmental efforts holds promise.
From page 405...
... Highlight Young Adulthood as a Distinct and Important Period of Development An initial, critical ingredient for improving public policies and programs for young adults is for policy makers and program leaders to understand young adulthood as a distinct and important period of development that, under foreseeable social and economic circumstances, has significant implications for the future well-being of each cohort of young adults and of the nation as a whole. Heightened public understanding of this developmental period is needed to encourage appropriate public and private action.
From page 406...
... The powerful influence of young people with experience in foster care in developing federal and state child welfare policy over the past two decades illustrates the potential of engaging young adults in policy and program development. Seek Developmentally Appropriate Outcomes Government programs should identify and require outcomes that are appropriate for this age group and tailored to their developmental situation and their needs.
From page 407...
... To implement this recommendation, specific actions should be taken to • modify reporting of data to identify young adults (aged 18-26) as a distinct age group in all reports, evaluations, and open data systems in which they are included; • enhance new or existing surveys or experimental research focused on either adolescents or adults to advance knowledge regarding the health and well-being of young adults and healthy transitions into young adulthood; • ensure that services provided to young adults are developmentally and culturally appropriate, recognizing that while adolescent or general adult services may sometimes be appropriate, modifications to existing services or entirely new approaches may be needed; • engage diverse young adults in designing and implementing pro grams and services; • support workforce training for health and human service providers to develop the skills and knowledge needed to work with young adults and their families; • seek opportunities for coordinating services and, where possible, integrating them to achieve greater effectiveness and efficiency; and • develop, implement, and evaluate systematic policy and program experiments to help identify the most effective approaches to im proving the prospects of young adults.
From page 408...
... Box 9-2 summarizes recommendations for state and local governments; because states vary in the organization of their agencies, these recommendations are grouped by topic area and are targeted at whichever state or local agency covers that topic. Finally, Box 9-3 summarizes recommendations for various private entities, including philanthropic funders, private-sector entities such as health systems, and nonprofit organizations that serve young adults.
From page 409...
... (8-2) •  und demonstration projects at the state level to support states in inte F grating program administrative data to better understand marginalized young adults and to evaluate programs serving them.
From page 410...
... (4-1) •  rovide competitive grants and technical assistance to support state P efforts to implement at a medium or large scale and evaluate education and workforce development approaches that are more closely tied to high-demand economic sectors.
From page 411...
... (7-3) O  ther Agencies That Fund or Provide Physical or Behavioral Health Services -- Including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Ad ministration and the Indian Health Service •  dopt the clinical preventive services recommended by the U.S.
From page 412...
... (8-2) State Education and Employment Agencies •  xperiment with and evaluate a range of interventions designed to im E prove graduation rates at high schools and colleges, as well as the rates at which high school dropouts receive their GED credential and enroll in college or job training.
From page 413...
... (6-3) State and Local Agencies That Fund or Provide Physical or Behavioral Health Services •  dopt the clinical preventive services recommended by the U.S.
From page 414...
... Doing so would be valuable for programs that target primarily health and well-being (such as home visiting programs) , as well as those that target primarily human capital development.
From page 415...
... (6-3) National Committee for Quality Assurance, National Quality Forum, and Other Quality Measurement Entities •  ncorporate pediatric-to-adult transition-of-care performance metrics into I quality measurement and reporting frameworks.
From page 416...
... • Identify effective practices for assisting high school students with disabilities in transitioning to postsecondary education or employment. Civic Engagement and • Identify factors that contribute to and enhance civic National Service engagement and involvement in national service among young adults.
From page 417...
... • Develop a comprehensive behavioral health screen. Government • Gain better knowledge of how marginalized young adults fare Investments in during young adulthood (see Recommendation 8-1)


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