Trauma-Informed Policy for Youth: Structuring Policies and Programs to Support the Future of Work

This Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth brief identifies the extensive nature of trauma and how adverse childhood experiences have negative impacts on the employment outcomes of youth and young adults with disabilities. The brief notes how workforce systems can meet young job seekers’ mental health needs by using a trauma-informed care lens, which can reduce barriers to employment among youth with disabilities who have histories of trauma. The brief presents data on the percentage of youth who have had adverse childhood experiences and highlights state examples of care coordination and cross-system collaboration, tools and training for professional development, and culturally responsive practices.