Creating Pathways to Opportunity for Youth and Young Adults

How communities support young people in their transitions into adulthood is an important indicator of societal well-being. Nationwide nearly 5 million youth between the ages of 16 and 24 are considered “disconnected,” meaning not in school or the workforce. The overall rate of disconnection is 12 percent—or nearly 1 in 8 youth—and even higher in rural counties, as well as among African American, Native American and Hispanic youth. These youth represent enormous potential for our nation’s economic and social development, and creating opportunities can have a positive effect on the health of future generations. Join County Health Rankings & Roadmaps and the National Association of Counties as we co-host this webinar highlighting the data, evidence and actions communities can take to create opportunity pathways for youth. We will highlight one community involved in the Rural Impact County Challenge, Blair County, Pennsylvania, which is effectively engaging policymakers, businesses, schools, and other community leaders to create opportunities for youth.