Young people who have lived experience navigating youth-serving systems (e.g., foster care) are increasingly recognized as essential contributors to shaping policies that impact their lives. The Authentic Youth Engagement in Policy Project examines how youth are meaningfully engaged in policy processes and how that engagement influences policy outcomes, organizational change, youth development, and community outcomes.

This one-year, community-engaged research project is co-designed and co-led with representatives of five grantee organizations — one young person and one adult from each organization — and funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Together, the research partners refined a framework for authentic youth engagement in policy, conducted qualitative research to document promising practices and barriers, and identified actionable insights to strengthen youth policy engagement efforts locally and nationwide.

This project is grounded in a community-engaged research (CEnR) methodology, which positions youth and adult partners as co-leaders in every phase of the research process. The Youth Engagement in Policy Research Group, comprised of one young person and one adult representative from each of five grantee organizations, was responsible for guiding the project’s design, data collection, analysis, and dissemination. Child Trends served as a research and technical assistance partner, facilitating the group’s work while ensuring the rigor and integrity of the project.

This summary report synthesizes key findings, cross-site themes, and actionable recommendations.