Through the Authentic Youth Engagement in Policy Project, Child Trends and the project’s Research Group composed of youth and adult representatives tested and refined existing models of youth engagement in the policy process, resulting in the Authentic Youth Engagement in Policy Framework (“the Framework”). The Framework is grounded in the research of Samantha Holquist and Julie Petrokubi, informed by the expertise of the project’s Research Group, and refined through a qualitative study profiling five organizations that engage youth in their policy efforts.
The Framework is organized around a series of questions detailing the following:
- How are youth involved?
- At what stages are youth engaged?
- How do organizations empower and support youth?
- What local factors help or hinder authentic youth engagement?
- What outcomes are achieved through authentic youth engagement?
Each organization takes a unique approach to authentic youth engagement, and we hope the Framework serves as a tool for readers to examine their own work and opportunities to expand and support authentic youth engagement in the policy process.
Download the full Framework below.
In the Authentic Youth Engagement in Policy Project’s Summary Report, we apply the Framework to policy wins across the five organizations, summarize key findings, and share recommendations to strengthen authentic youth engagement in the policy process.
Suggested citation
Holquist, S.E., McKlindon, A., Scott, A., Ball, J., Conway, J., Calderon, I., Clark, J., DeLeon-Alvarado, T., Flores, B., Gutierrez, B., Joo, S., Monrose, N., Robinson, F., Rudy-Johnson, D., Stoute, K., & Turner, A. (2025). Authentic Youth Engagement in Policy Framework. Child Trends. DOI: 10.56417/1858g8318e