Priorities

Building a Brighter Future for Louisiana's Youth

Louisiana's young people are the key to our future prosperity. By investing in them, we invest in our communities, and we build a better future for all Louisianans.

The Louisiana Opportunity Youth Alliance (LOYAL) is committed to creating pathways for all youth to thrive. But 1 in 6 Louisianans aged 16-24 are not in school or employed. These Opportunity Youth face significant barriers to success, but with the right investments, we can plug them in to the support they need to unlock their potential.

We do this by focusing on three key pathways that will drive our economy and communities forward for years to come.

Invest in
Economic Security

Every young person deserves a fair shot at financial stability. Louisiana's young people need policymakers to step up by creating programs and policies that offer pathways to success and economic prosperity for all Louisiana youth. We're pushing for:

  • Expanded tax credits: Double the state Earned Income Tax Credit and create a state Child Tax Credit. These proven tools lift families out of poverty and stimulate local economies.
  • Worker protections: Establish paid sick days and family and medical leave. These policies ensure youth don't have to choose between their health or caregiving responsibilities and keeping their jobs.
  • Higher wages: Raise the minimum wage to $15/hour by 2026. This will help youth earn enough to cover basic needs and invest in their futures.
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Why It Matters

Nearly 1 in 4 Louisiana children live in poverty, and our state has the second-highest poverty rate in the nation. By boosting economic security, we give youth the stable foundation they need to pursue education and build careers.

Invest in
Wraparound Services

To truly thrive, youth need support beyond just work and school. Opportunity Youth are navigating particularly difficult terrain as they move toward adulthood. That’s why we need to equip them for the journey with additional supplies, such as financial aid, stable housing and accessible healthcare.

  • Digital equity: Invest in equitable broadband and device availability to ensure all youth have internet access and devices. In today's world, this is essential for education, job searches, and career development.
  • Free and convenient transit: Provide access to free, reliable public transportation that connects communities and invests in rural transit. This helps youth access jobs, schools, and other opportunities across their region.
  • Mental health support: Increase mental health resources and access in education and workforce programs, including sustainable Medicaid rates.
  • Affordable housing: Create more designated affordable housing units and stronger renter protections. Stable housing is crucial for youth to focus on education and career goals.
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Why It Matters

These services remove significant barriers that often prevent youth from engaging in work or education. By addressing these fundamental needs, we set youth up for long-term success.

Invest in
Career Pathways

After exiting high school, many young adults face a confusing and disjointed adult credentialing and workforce development landscape. Increasing investment in workforce programs and educational certificates can help Opportunity Youth develop skills and connect with jobs across the state. We're working to create clear, accessible routes to good jobs through:

  • Improved adult education: Improve coordination between K-12 schools, community colleges, and employers. This includes breaking down information-sharing barriers and creating smoother transitions between systems.
  • Flexible funding: Maximize Adjusting Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) rules to allow more support for at-risk youth still in school, helping prevent disconnection before it happens.
  • Streamlined credentialing: Improve the sequencing of adult educational programming to make it easier for adults to earn certificates and degrees. This includes extending programs like the M.J. Foster Promise Program to cover 18-21 year olds.
  • Improving grade school education: Find and/or improve graduation tracks like career readiness and college-bound.
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Why It Matters

A confusing landscape of disconnected programs makes it hard for youth to find and stay on their path. By improving information sharing between K-12 institutions, community colleges, and potential employers, and advocating for increased funding for adult education, we can avoid youth disconnection and provide opportunities for Louisiana’s young people to reconnect and engage in the workforce through sequenced adult career pathways.

Become a Partner

Across Louisiana, LOYAL partners are working together to create a Louisiana where all youth are supported by strong policies and institutions and where they can successfully transition from school to the workforce and beyond. Join us!

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