The American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF), powered by Children’s Defense Fund (CDF), will convene on November 8, 2024, to explore the impact of the 2024 election on children and youth legislation. As a critical platform, this event will gather key policymakers, advocates, and educators to discuss how national, state, and local policies can better serve young people, particularly those marginalized by systemic inequities. With panels, an opening plenary, and a networking lunch, the forum will provide a unique opportunity to engage with youth policy issues, amplifying the voices of young people and focusing on the ways collective action will drive positive change.
The Bank Building
699 14th Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20005
Workshops
Empowering Tomorrow: Youth Voices Leading on Youth Issues
Join us for a dynamic conversation with experts across the fields of research, education, policy, and practice as we dig deeper into this morning’s plenary and explore the impact of the most recent election on outcomes for adolescents and youth. We know that this stage of development is a dynamic time in a young person’s life, with unique challenges and needs. It is critical that our youth and adolescents have supportive communities and systems that ensure healthy development and optimal outcomes in adulthood. Our panel will examine the political landscape to determine what is needed to bridge our youth’s present reality with the future of joy we envision for them, with a focus on family stability and economic mobility, education for civic life and work, and just and caring communities. Panelists will also explore the connection between developmental needs of adolescents and youth, and the necessary social investments from the U.S. government at a federal level. Together, we will highlight policy solutions and outline potential next steps for youth advocates during the 119th Congress and in a new presidential administration as guided by the youth voice of our panel.
Embracing Childhood, Embracing Joy: Setting the Stage for Success
Join us for a dynamic conversation with experts across the fields of research, education, policy, and practice as we dig deeper into this morning’s plenary and explore the impact of the most recent election on outcomes for early learning. We know that children thrive when their parents and communities have the resources and supports needed to ensure healthy development, especially during these early years in childhood. Our panel will examine the political landscape to determine what is needed to bridge our children’s present reality with the future of joy we envision for them, with a focus on child health and healing, early learning and development, and family stability and economic mobility. Panelists will also explore the connection between developmental needs of children aged pre-natal to 12 and necessary social investments from the U.S. government at a federal level. Together, we will highlight policy solutions and outline potential next steps for child advocates during the 119th Congress and in a new presidential administration.