If you had a million dollars, how would you use it to help young people find jobs? If you could change or create one policy to support youth employment, what would it be? Youth development experts tackled these questions at the 11th Annual JAG National Thought Leader Event on Oct. 11.

Research shows that programs make more progress when they involve parents or caregivers. Yet not every organization that wants to impact kids works with and for parents. Why not? Here’s a look at some of the challenges—and a few solutions.

For the last five years, American Graduate Day has emphasized the importance of high school graduation through telling stories, creating resources, and building community connections.

As Youth Thrive’s director of operations, Sara Carter works with a variety of community partners to reach more youth in North Carolina’s Wake County by increasing communication, identifying gaps, and aligning resources for youth programs and services.

A rural school district embracing the culture of native families in Oregon and a professional football team showing up at kids’ doors in Ohio—these are just two of the creative ways states and communities are fighting chronic absence, as featured in a new report by Attendance Works titled, Portraits of Change: Aligning School and Community Resources to Reduce Chronic Absence.

From an online community dedicated to supporting foster youth to an organization focused on ending bullying, nine new organizations have joined America’s Promise Alliance as partners this month. Find more information on their goals, missions, and efforts below.

For National Preparedness Month, Save the Children has produced a fun song and dance that teaches kids the basics of emergency preparedness. Plus, it keeps them moving during break time, afterschool, or at home:

The world of education and work continues to shift, and so do student perceptions about these areas. That’s why the Research Consortium on Career Pathways & 21st Century Skills is collaborating on a survey research project focused on high school students’ perceptions of Career Paths and 21st Century Skills.

Stephannie Finley is the Executive Director of University of Colorado Colorado Springs’ University Partnerships and Public Policy.

When 19-year-old Henry Seaton was in high school, he wasn’t allowed to use either the women's restroom or the men's restroom. He had to use the nurse’s restroom instead, which the school thought was the best way to keep him from being bullied. At first, Seaton agreed with the administration. But he now has a different perspective.

“Students who miss just two or three days of school a month—defined as chronic absenteeism—are significantly more likely to drop out of school altogether. This Attendance Awareness Month, here’s what America’s Promise national partner Attendance Works wants you to know about chronic absenteeism and how to fight it.”

In the last 20 years, infant mortality, teen pregnancy, and youth incarceration rates have gone down, while high school graduation rates are up. More young people are pursuing postsecondary education, and teens are also smoking and drinking less.

When it comes to preparing high school graduates for college, a new report from the Alliance for Excellent Education says that not all diplomas are created equal—and that one type of diploma in particular stands out above the rest: a college and career ready diploma.

Join America’s Promise Alliance, Attendance Works and Everyone Graduates Center for an interactive Twitter chat on August 17th on what schools and communities can do to reduce chronic absence this school year.

The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas looks at problems in the same way it approaches solving them: Everything is connected. The organization’s mission is to tackle issues of education, health, and income in the Dallas area, and it works with businesses, governments, nonprofits, schools, families, and individuals to do it.

Imagine you’re a mentor for a student who needs immediate help. What’s the best way to respond? Would you first meet the mentee’s immediate emotional needs, ensure their physical and psychological safety, or focus on problem-solving and resources?