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Transition Age Youth

The Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs supports a number of efforts to build the skills and resources of youth aged 16-24. Whether they are called "youth in transition," "transition age youth," "youth aging out" or other terms, youth in this age group experience a number of challenges on their path to a successful adulthood. A particular focus of federal programs is support for youth transitioning out of foster care or juvenile detention facilities, youth who have run away from home or dropped out of school, and youth with disabilities.

Learn more about transition age youth and relevant statistics.

Transition Resources

The articles below describe the challenges youth aged 18-24 experience, and how the federal agencies are working to support them as they transition to adulthood.

Basic Needs: Health, Safety, and Wellness

For some youth, the transition to adulthood presents a number of challenges in meeting their basic needs. They may not be able to find employment that offers health benefits, no longer be included in their parents' insurance, or have become too old to qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP. Finding safe, affordable housing can be a challenge. For youth leaving foster care or juvenile detention facilities, youth who have run away from home or dropped out of school, or youth with disabilities, the challenges can be even greater.

Civic Engagement and Community Connections

All youth can benefit from positive interactions with adults and peers. The following section describes the investments federal agencies are making for youth aged 16 to 24 in areas such as positive youth development, mentoring, youth-adult partnerships, and community service.

Education, Training, Job- and Career-Readiness, and Employment

Moving toward independence presents youth aged 16 to 24 with a number of opportunities – and challenges. The stakes are high for this age group; 16- to 24-year-olds are forging pathways to postsecondary education, training, and employment. For youth who are transitioning out of foster care or juvenile justice facilities, youth who have run away from home or dropped out of school, or youth with disabilities, the challenges are even greater.

Map and Geographic Data: State and Local Collaborations to Support Transition Age Youth

 

External Links

Dropout Prevention on the Department of Education's Doing What Works Site

This site provides multimedia resources to help you find out what works in dropout prevention. Schools can create research-based and practical solutions to keep students in school, reduce dropout rates, and recover students who left school.

Transition Resource Directory

This directory includes descriptions submitted by federally-supported projects and centers with work that focuses on youth transition.

 

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