Federal Resources

The archive of this OAH webcast, which highlighted the role of positive youth development in the prevention of teen pregnancy and other risky behaviors, is now available for viewing. A resource list (PDF, 4 pages) of suggested readings from the webcast speakers is also available, as well as the archived #TeenPYD Twitter conversation. 

This webpage provides a definition of positive youth development, information on the eight key practices organizations can consider when implementing the approach, and resources communities or programs can use to incorporate positive youth development into their work. 

To address the challenges faced by students living in communities of concentrated poverty, Promise Neighborhoods grantees and their partner organizations will plan to provide services from early learning to college and career, including programs to improve the health, safety, and stability of neighborhoods, and boost family engagement in student learning.

This blog post by SAMHSA Administrator Pamela Hyde describes the importance of the Supreme Court’s historic ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which states that the Constitution requires LGBT couples be allowed to marry no matter where they live, and marriages performed in one state must be recognized in every state. The post also highlights other steps the federal government has taken this year to improve the health and well-being of LGBT people. 

This report presents research, clinical expertise, and expert consensus on therapeutic practices related to children's and adolescent's sexual orientation and gender identity, and makes the case for eliminating the use of conversion therapy among this population. 

This video features the voices of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth describing their experiences with trauma related to their identities and how mental health professionals have helped them.

This guide (PDF, 4 pages) advises service providers and others how to engage successfully with youth, using specific examples to illustrate effective (and ineffective) communication. 

This resource includes information and tools that can help federal staff and contractors appropriately engage youth before, during, and after government-sponsored events and meetings.

This resource guides administrators and prevention professionals on how to appropriately engage youth in government-sponsored events and meetings. Includes resources regarding a youth services approach, youth development, youth leadership, civic engagement, and youth organizing.

This policy brief (PDF, 4 pages), developed by The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, describes child sex trafficking, including what it is, who is at risk, the potential consequences, and what can be done to address it. Policymakers and other stakeholders can use this resource to better understand child sex trafficking and its relationship to child trauma, and to develop policy-relevant and child- trauma-focused recommendations to assist with developing responses. 

This set of graphic novels is now available to help young trafficking survivors, ages 2–18, navigate the justice system as a victim or witness. These resources help youth understand the justice system, their rights, and roles of different practitioners. Practitioner and Caregiver Guides and excerpts of support from individuals with lived experience are included.