The Youth Policy Lab at the University of Michigan marks another year of growth, rigorous research and deepening partnerships, as documented in its newly released annual report.

For nearly a decade, YPL has been deeply committed to exploring and analyzing the critical issues facing youth and families to help government agencies make better decisions about what really works. This year has included more than 20 projects — with a focus on education governance, maternal and infant health, child welfare, adolescent mental health, and career and technical education, or CTE. YPL also strengthened its training and mentorship programs for future and early-career policy professionals.

YPL — jointly housed at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and the Institute for Social Research — collaborates with public agencies to analyze data and evaluate programs, driving positive social change for children, youth and families. 

“Despite a year marked by significant changes in the federal landscape, the Youth Policy Lab has continued to prevail, delivering important and impactful work,” said Carrie Hammerman, director of strategic partnerships. “We are deeply grateful to our partners and funders for their collaboration and support, which makes our efforts possible.”

Research and program highlights include:

• Reimagining Michigan’s K-12 education system: YPL led a comprehensive, independent study of K-12 education governance, released this July, in partnership with the University of Michigan Education Policy Initiative and the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy. The report identified opportunities to overhaul Michigan’s fragmented educational governance system — and sparked statewide conversations about transformational reform.
• Strengthening career and technical education: Continued collaboration with the Michigan Department of Education’s Office of Career & Technical Education, or OCTE, saw YPL host an Opportunity Gap workshop with over 100 CTE administrators, inform a landmark state budget proposal, and launch school district-level CTE Engagement Dashboards. YPL’s work with the Washtenaw Intermediate School District and a new partnership with the Detroit Future City are also influencing the CTE landscape at the local level.
• Supporting early interventions and child welfare: YPL’s ongoing evaluation of Michigan’s SafeCare program has built an evidence base for in-home parental education that could influence funding statewide. The Early On® eFax study demonstrated how technology can streamline pediatrician referrals, increasing access for children with developmental delays. Meanwhile, a landscape analysis for the Maternal and Infant Health Program aims to assess the need for expanded services. 
• Advancing education innovation: YPL has increased understanding of tutoring effectiveness through randomized controlled trials with Accelerate, comparing in-person and virtual models. YPL also concluded the High 5s math enrichment pilot program with New York City Public Schools, highlighting gains in math understanding and overall school engagement. A third year of collaboration with MDRC has involved evaluating both traditional and virtual reading tutoring for impact and cost-effectiveness.
• Deepening understanding of adolescent mental health efforts: Through independent evaluation of programs such as TRAILS and Project AWARE, YPL is helping school and state leaders implement effective mental health supports. Studies have measured the impact of social-emotional learning and crisis intervention, with the goal of informing district and statewide mental health strategies for Michigan schools.
• Bridging the gap to adulthood: A new collaboration with the Law School’s Juvenile Justice Clinic is evaluating the Counsel at First Appearance pilot intervention, which supports fairer court processes for youth. YPL’s work with Detroit Future City explores the alignment between K-12 education and regional labor market needs, seeking to strengthen career-connected learning.
• Training and mentoring future policy leaders: The Applied Social Policy Internship and Research Experience, or ASPIRE, program, now in its third year, brought together rising juniors and seniors from Spelman and Morehouse Colleges for eight weeks of hands-on research and professional development. The Policy Fellowship program grew to include five Fellows, providing technical expertise to state of Michigan agencies as well as the Detroit Public School Community District.