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Too many young Americans are out of school, work, home,
and luck and it's time that America pays more attention
House of Representatives - June 19, 2007

Opening Statement from Chairman McDermott at a Income Security and Family Support Subcommittee hearing on disconnected and disadvantaged youth

Too many young Americans are out of school and work, out of home, and out of luck. And it's time the rest of America pay more attention, because we can make a difference, and I believe we must make a difference.

Watch this opening statement [Get Windows Media Player]

In 2005, 2.3 million youth between the ages of 16 and 24 did not work or attend school at any time. Estimates for the number of homeless youth are more dated and more varied, but there are likely over one million in any given year.

The purpose of today's hearing is to discuss the pathways that lead to young people becoming detached from school, work, and housing.

We also hope to learn about both existing and potential programs designed to help prevent and respond to homelessness and separation from school and work.

Both our heart and our head should propel us toward improving our outreach to these young Americans. The thought of a teenager confronting homelessness or pondering a life without much hope should stir the emotions in all of us.

The reality that reconnecting youth will improve so many other concerns confronting our nation illustrates the wisdom of moving forward. Issues like long-term economic growth, crime, and poverty are all intertwined with these young people's futures.

None of this is meant to suggest that there is one simple answer that will respond to all of the needs of disadvantaged youth. There are a variety of circumstances that might lead to a young person becoming homeless or dropping out of the worlds of school and work. Poverty plays a lead role, but family instability, substance abuse, teenage parenthood, and many other factors also contribute to the problem.

While the issue of disconnected youth is certainly not new, data suggests the problem may be growing for certain groups, especially young black men.

Additionally, the long-term cost of dropping out of school may be higher than ever given the premium the global economy places on education and skills.

There are some very helpful programs that reach out to disadvantaged youth, one of which we will hear about today.

However, questions still linger about whether there are enough of these programs, whether they address the myriad of new challenges kids face today - from higher housing costs to declining manufacturing jobs -, and whether there is a way to tie them together in a more systematic way.

Furthermore, there are certainly broader policies related to education, housing, and making work pay that would likely provide significant dividends for disadvantaged youth.

Finally, this subcommittee takes special notice of the fact that youth coming out of the foster care system are at particularly high risk of homelessness and joblessness.

Our burden to help these kids is especially high since the government has acted as their legal parent. And no parent I know ends contact with their children when they turn 18 years of age.

The subcommittee will hold future hearings to look specifically at that issue.