Dept. of Health and Human Services

The Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention joined for the second annual Bullying Prevention Summit, on September 21-22, 2011, hosted by the U.S. Department of Education and eight other federal agencies. The event engaged representatives from federal agencies, national organizations, parents, teachers, and students with the goal to discuss and share their progress on anti-bullying efforts across the country.

The Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs (IWGYP) is composed of representatives from 21 federal agencies that support programs and services focusing on youth. The IWGYP seeks to promote achievement of positive results for at-risk youth.

Early efforts to promote healthy, respectful dating relationships are more likely to prevent dating violence before the problem begins.

In response to the recent killing of a 16 year old Chicago honor student, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)/CDC, the Department of Education (ED), and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) started work to address youth violence. Because of connections facilitated by the Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs, they were able to learn that CDC was working with local and state organizations and agencies to develop a comprehensive approach to youth violence prevention.

The Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs supports several subgroups, including one focused on Positive Youth Development. Eight Federal youth-serving departments participate actively on this subgroup, which is focused on identifying promising approaches, strategies, and evidence related to positive youth development, youth-adult partnerships, and youth engagement in youth programs.

According to the White House, more than 400,000 children are in the U.S. foster care system, and more than 100,000 children are waiting to be adopted. Every year, 23,000 of these youth age out of foster care without a permanent placement.

The adolescent birth rate declined for the second consecutive year, adolescent injury deaths declined, and fewer 12th graders binge drank, according to the federal government's annual statistical report on the well-being of the nation's children and youth.

However, a higher proportion of 8th graders used illicit drugs, more children were likely to live in poverty, and fewer children were likely to live with at least one parent working year round, full time, according to the report, America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being 2011.

The goal of the National Resource Center for HIV/AIDS Prevention among Adolescents is to build national capacity in HIV/AIDS prevention among youth by providing a central, online location for resources, professional literature, evidence-based programs and practices, and technical assistance to youth-serving agencies and professionals.

New briefs from ACF highlight three types of developmental assets youth need for success in adulthood and ways the foster care system can facilitate their preparation.