Representatives Carter, Steel Launch the Bipartisan Opportunity Youth Caucus

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Congresswoman Michelle Steel (R-CA) announced the launch of the Bipartisan Opportunity Youth Caucus (BOYC) for the 118th Congress. The first-of-its-kind caucus will serve to prioritize federal policies that support young people aged 16-24 who are disconnected from school and work or are at-risk of experiencing disconnection – also known as “Opportunity Youth” (OY). This caucus will allow Members of Congress to discuss policies that will help constituents have successful careers and positive educational outcomes.

“No two people have the same background or path in life. It's our responsibility to ensure everyone has access to the opportunities and the resources to achieve their dreams,” said Rep. Carter. “Some young people are disconnected from work or school, and they need help. I want all our youth not just to survive but thrive. That’s why I’m excited to see what we can accomplish with the new Opportunity Youth Caucus. I especially want to thank my fellow co-chair, Rep. Steel, for joining me in this effort.”

“Education and work are essential elements of achieving the American Dream, and the skyrocketing numbers of Opportunity Youth in the days since the pandemic are cause for concern,” said Rep. Steel. “The good news is that there are lots of proposals working their way through Congress that will preserve existing critical programs and create new tools to reconnect youth to education and employment. I’m proud to partner with Rep. Carter to launch this Caucus so we can better advance those priorities in Congress.”

“LOYC would like to thank Rep. Troy Carter for his tremendous leadership in forming the Bipartisan Opportunity Youth Caucus. His demonstrated commitment to opportunity youth is vital to ensuring federal programs and policies are responsive to the unique needs of today’s youth. We are grateful for his leadership and look forward to working with BOYC in support of opportunity youth in Louisiana and the nation. The Louisiana Opportunity Youth Coalition (LOYC) is a network of direct service providers and advocacy organizations that focuses on creating a stronger connective fabric to support all young people as they transition from school to workforce,” said R. Danielle Barringer-Payton, Director of Louisiana's Opportunity Youth Coalition.

“We commend Representatives Steel and Carter for their leadership in co-chairing the Bipartisan Opportunity Youth Caucus, which will convene youth, workforce and education stakeholders, and policymakers to develop solutions for the barriers that opportunity youth face. Young people need a seat at the table to ensure that legislative decisions are made with and for them. We look forward to partnering with Representatives Steel and Carter to recruit more members to the Caucus and help drive policy solutions to support our nation’s young people,” said Dr. Mary Ann Haley, Executive Director of National Youth Employment Coalition.

“All young people deserve resources and support to help them thrive,” said Lauri Collier, Director of the California Opportunity Youth Network (COYN). “Thanks to Representative Steel and her visionary leadership, a bipartisan opportunity youth caucus will highlight the critical importance of reconnecting young people with education and employment creating paths to self-sufficiency."

Background

The BOYC is the first congressional caucus focused on the unique issues of youth disconnection and will highlight the importance of re-engaging youth with work, school, and support systems as they transition into adulthood. Previously referred to as “disconnected” or “at-risk” youth, the term “Opportunity Youth” emerged to emphasize the societal and economic potential of re-engaging these young people.

Youth disconnection knows no political boundaries, with rural areas facing youth disconnection rates of 17.3%, compared with 11.2% in urban centers and 9.9% in suburbs. During the transition period to adulthood, Opportunity Youth are especially vulnerable to the negative, long-term effects of disconnection, with 62% of out-of-work youth not holding certifications beyond a high school diploma. They also have the least work experience, the highest rates of parenthood, and are the least prepared to find and keep jobs.

Although youth disconnection has been an issue in the U.S. for many years, the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and recession are making life even more difficult for young people. At the height of the pandemic, one in four youth were disconnected and according to the latest research, the national youth disconnection rate remains at 12.1%, or 4.7 million. Even now, jobless rates for young people are nearly triple (8.5%) the national average and overall youth disconnection rates have increased since the late 1990s.

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