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To succeed in the workforce and life, it is crucial that all students, including those with disabilities, learn 21st century skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, self-advocacy, communication, collaboration, and dispositions like self-determination and growth mindsets. National Center for Learning Disabilities has published a report on the 21st century skills gap that exists between adults with learning disabilities and those without. The report also outlines strategies and actions that stakeholders can take to support students with disabilities in developing 21st century skills.

A youth’s experiences influence whether they engage in healthy or unhealthy behaviors. A new issue brief from the Afterschool Alliance explores ways afterschool programs are promoting protective factors or experiences that encourage youth to engage in healthy behavior and avoid unhealthy choices. Afterschool programs promote protective factors through safe and supportive environments, helping students form positive bonds with staff and peers, providing a place where they can develop confidence and a sense of agency and practice responsible decision making and interpersonal skills. The issue brief provides an overview of the research as well as real-world examples from afterschool programs.

Afterschool programs serve students with mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders, but staff and other stakeholders are not always prepared to fully support these students. The Summer 2019 issue of AfterSchool Today, the official publication of the National AfterSchool Association, addresses the topic of disability inclusion. Topics include an overview of disability inclusion and professional development in afterschool, a special report on trends in disability inclusion, and an overview of promising practices in providing sensory-inclusive experiences for all students.

According to the American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF), nearly 3.5 million children are subject to at least one maltreatment report, such as physical, sexual, and emotional/psychological abuse. Youth are often placed in foster care because of abuse, and youth in foster care are more likely to be victims of sex trafficking. To help stakeholders understand the intersection of child abuse, foster care, and sex trafficking, AYPF has created a video about child abuse prevention awareness. The video is available on the AYPF website with links to resources. The video is also available on the AYPF YouTube channel.

Rural areas face unique challenges: their populations are declining, disparate, aging, and highly migratory. However, rural areas also offer unique strengths, such as community resources like 4-H and STEM activities connected to agriculture and other rural industries. A new briefing paper from the National Conference of State Legislatures provides an overview of afterschool programs in rural areas. The paper lists challenges, examples of state policy initiatives, highlights from rural afterschool programs, and ideas for actions that state legislatures can take.

According to youth.gov, most adults who have substance use disorders began using alcohol and drugs as adolescents or young adults. The video series, Adolescent Substance Use, Addiction, and Treatment: A TAG Talk, provides information about addressing substance use and addiction in young adults, including effective approaches to treating addiction. Developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Adolescent Health, and partner medical organizations, the video includes discussion guides for parents and for professionals who work with young adults.

A recent study of records of more than 4,000 children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) indicates that these students benefit from participation in afterschool programs. While the study was not designed to prove a cause-and-effect relationship, researchers found that students who participated in afterschool programs missed fewer days of school, and their parents reported less severe ADHD symptoms.

The U.S. Department of Education is joining other federal agencies in combating the opioid crisis that is killing Americans at unprecedented rates and having a devastating impact on families and communities. This archived webinar outlines how the opioid crisis affects students and families. It also offers strategies and practices that educators can use to address the opioid crisis in schools.

The National Center on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments has several resources for educators who want to ensure that students do not experience discrimination or harassment based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or national origin. These include policy and guidance, resources for special populations, and bullying and violence prevention resources for different age groups.

Expectant and parenting teens have unique needs and challenges. Youth.gov, a federal website with interactive tools and resources to support youth in a variety of areas, has several resources specifically designed to help adults support teen parents. These include information on the importance of working with pregnant and parenting teens, links to federal programs that provide support and resources, tip sheets, and strategies for working with both teen mothers and fathers.