YAP's Policy and Advocacy Center was highlighted in a recent article in The Chronicle of Social Change.

YAP's Policy & Advocacy Center submitted written testimony to Senator Durbin's Subcommittee Hearing on the School to Prison Pipeline. The written testimony summarizes YAP's community-based approach to ending the pipeline, improving outcomes for youth, keeping schools safe and saving communities dollars. Read the report here.

November 13, 2012: YAP today launched its Policy & Advocacy Center to promote policies and influence change that create or invest greater resources in families and communities in order to reduce reliance on institutionalization. YAP works toward its mission of deinstitutionalization in three ways: Through direct service provision; by supporting adults, youth and families to become self-advocates, and through influencing public policy informed by our direct services and the voices of the peop...

YAP CEO Jeff Fleischer moderated a briefing on Capitol Hill about disconnected youth. The briefing, sponsored by Senator Stabenow (MI) and Representative Kildee (MI-5), focused on the 6.7 million aged 16-24 "disconnected" or "opportunity" youth who have no connection to school or work, but who remain hopeful for their futures. In comments intended to frame the urgency of helping disconnected youth, Fleischer noted the staggering costs to society - up to 93 billion dollars to taxpayers and 252 bi...