AYPF’s vision is that all young people, particularly youth marginalized by systemic inequities, have equitable opportunities and supports to become lifelong learners, earn a family-sustaining wage in their career, and actively participate in civic society.
AYPF’s mission is to educate, engage, and inform policymakers, practitioners, and researchers about education, youth, and workforce policies to improve the lives and outcomes of youth marginalized by systemic inequities. They carry out this mission by providing research-based information and resources, first-hand learning experiences, convenings, and peer-to-peer networking exchanges to policymakers and youth-serving leaders at the national, state, and local levels.
AYPF’s theory of action is that by educating and informing policymakers and policy influencers on best practices, policies, strategies, innovations, and research on positive youth development approaches and effective education, youth, and workforce policies, the policymakers will build their capacity and understanding to make better and more equitable decisions on behalf of youth marginalized by systemic inequities.
AFYP’s four policy pillars include: personalized learning, pathways to college and career readiness, wraparound supports, and out-of-school time learning.