West OC Times

Reps. Michelle Steel and Troy A. Carter have joined forces to establish the Bipartisan Opportunity Youth Caucus (BOYC) aimed at addressing the needs of young individuals aged 16-24 who are disconnected from school and work, or at risk of experiencing disconnection. The caucus will focus on advocating for federal policies that support these "Opportunity Youth" in achieving successful careers and positive educational outcomes.

Rep. Steel emphasized the importance of education and work in achieving the American Dream, stating, “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.”

In agreement, Rep. Carter highlighted the need to ensure that everyone has access to opportunities and resources to pursue their dreams, saying, “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.”

Lauri Collier, Director of the California Opportunity Youth Network, commended Rep. Steel for her leadership in establishing the bipartisan caucus, stating, “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.”

R. Danielle Barringer-Payton, Director of Louisiana's Opportunity Youth Coalition, expressed gratitude towards Rep. Carter for his commitment to opportunity youth, emphasizing the importance of federal programs and policies responsive to the unique needs of today’s youth.

Dr. Mary Ann Haley, Executive Director of the National Youth Employment Coalition, praised Representatives Steel and Carter for their leadership in co-chairing the BOYC, highlighting the importance of involving youth in legislative decisions that impact them directly.

The BOYC, the first Congressional Caucus focused on youth disconnection, will address the challenges faced by Opportunity Youth as they transition into adulthood. The term "Opportunity Youth" underscores the potential of re-engaging these individuals in society and the economy. Youth disconnection rates vary across different regions, with rural areas experiencing higher rates compared to urban centers and suburbs.

The COVID-19 pandemic and recession have exacerbated the issue of youth disconnection, with one in four youth being disconnected at the height of the pandemic. Currently, the national youth disconnection rate stands at 12.1%, affecting approximately 4.7 million young individuals. Jobless rates for young people remain significantly higher than the national average, underscoring the urgency of addressing the challenges faced by Opportunity Youth.