TUKWILA, Wash – A youth movement has emerged in the discussion about gun control. In Washington state, young people are making their voices heard, too.

One program in particular is serving as a model for ways to get the next generation involved in local decision-making. Teens for Tukwila provides leadership opportunities and a chance for young people to speak with city officials.

Nate Robinson, teen program specialist with the City of Tukwila, developed and coordinates the program and says it's creating a partnership between youths and adults to tackle issues in Tukwila, the most racially and ethnically diverse community in the state.

"When it comes to planning for programs, when it comes to implementing programs, when it comes to everything that has to do with a program, activity, event,” he says, “there is a need for both the youth to bring something that they have to the table and a need for the adult to bring something to the table as well."

Teens for Tukwila meet and discuss a wide range of topics including education, jobs and teen drug use. For the fourth year in a row this May, the teens will meet with Tukwila City Council members. The council recognizes the group as an official voice for young people in the community.

With police shootings facing increased criticism, Teens for Tukwila has met with the local police department to discuss their relationship to the community. Robinson says the group brings authentic voices and young people's experiences to the people in power.

He says it's something that's missing in a lot of places.

"At these decision-making tables, a lot of decisions are being made without the voices or the input or the perspective of a lot of these marginalized groups,” he says. “And I think young people are among those marginalized groups."

In order for young people to become a bigger part of the conversation, Robinson says leaders will have to take intentional actions to include them.

"We are going to have to share power, and I feel like that is the ultimate hurdle. It's a huge hurdle, it's a big hurdle, but I'm about small victories,"he says.

Many members of the program have graduated and are using their skills in college or their careers. The program is an example of an out-of-school strategy being promoted by School's Out Washington and the state's Civics Learning Initiative.


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Indiana leaders are working to improve children's lives, as the state's national ranking for child well-being has slipped.

The latest report showed Indiana has fallen from 24th to 27th among states for overall child well-being, with food insecurity emerging as a major concern.

Tami Silverman, president and CEO of the Indiana Youth Institute, called results in the latest Indiana Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation "mixed," with nearly 20% of kids lacking consistent access to nutritious food, a figure worse than at the peak of the pandemic.

"We need to make sure we're leaning into some of our areas where we have the biggest challenges," Silverman urged. "We rank 32nd in the country for the health of our children, and that's physical and mental health. We're 15th in the country for economic well-being, but we're struggling as far as our kids' health."

Silverman emphasized addressing food insecurity requires focusing on basic needs like stable housing and reliable access to healthy meals. Neighboring states, including Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio, face similar challenges.

Another challenge is only 40% of three- and four-year-olds attend early education programs, resulting in learning gaps in language arts, math and other subjects later in school, which worry educators and parents.

Silverman argued such hurdles threaten children's future and demand immediate attention. However, she acknowledged the report also highlighted some bright spots.

"Teen birth rates are down," Silverman noted. "The ratio of dentists and mental health providers that are available for kids have improved. Median family income is on the rise."

Youth advocates are calling on both community leaders and policymakers to address the state's gaps in education and health to build on the progress. Silverman stressed caring for Indiana's children is everyone's job. She urged leaders to do more to push for a healthier, safer future for every child.


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An Alabama Senate committee has approved a bill that would require middle-school students to take a course on conflict resolution before high school. Senate Bill 34, sponsored by Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, is designed to equip students with skills to de-escalate conflicts-particularly as social media fuels more disputes among young people. Smitherman says too many students turn to violence because they don't know how to handle disagreements.

"I've seen it get to point where folks have guns and do everything just because of that post. They don't have any kind of way of understanding how to deal with conflict resolution so the end result is to grab a gun to do something," he explained.

The bill originally applied to high school students, but after input from the state Department of Education, lawmakers amended it to focus on middle schoolers instead.

The legislation would require public schools to provide instruction in violence prevention, mediation and conflict resolution. The Education Department would be responsible for setting curriculum standards. Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, supports the measure, calling it a proactive step to address school violence at a critical stage.

"What we have found statistically is that in middle school is where we're having the majority of the problems emerging, particularly around seventh grade," he said.

Next week, the committee will hear from experts on social media and cell phone use as lawmakers consider another proposal: banning cell phones in schools and creating a social media safety course.


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Pennsylvania nonprofits are working with teens in foster care to ensure they have the resources they will need to navigate life once they are out of the system.

In Pennsylvania, about 15,000 children are in temporary foster care.

Joseph Birli, CEO of Bethany Children's Home, said they have a congregate care setting to assist those who have been traumatized. He pointed out teens may need emergency shelter if they're at risk for human trafficking. And the staff works with them as they age out of the system.

"Our 18- to 21-year-old population, we do a life skills training for them," Birli explained. "We offer them opportunities to learn about budgeting and caring for themselves so that, as they become citizens and do discharge out of service, that they're going to be somewhat prepared to live on their own."

About 20,000 young people exit foster care each year in the U.S., according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

In Pennsylvania, Birli said 18-year-olds can leave the foster care system but can return if needed until age 21 by contacting their county. He added many do return, after realizing life is tougher than expected.

Kerry Krieger, executive director of Delta Family Services, said they support foster youth through age 21 with a supervised independent living program. Young people live in their own apartments, with the agency covering rent, utilities and stipends. A life skills coach checks in weekly to offer guidance and support, filling the gap when family is not there.

"We use an evidence-based life skills curriculum, so they have to be doing the rules -- not only of the program, but of staying in dependent care -- is that they have to be going to school and/or have a job."

Krieger emphasized the goal is for a young person to leave care with a supportive, unpaid adult connection, but also with some education and job skills, stable housing and access to health care. She added in Pennsylvania, a person 16 or older with a history of foster care can get a tuition waiver they can use at many state or community colleges.


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