Action plan for at-risk youth is needed now

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en-US"> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, shrink-to-fit=no"> <meta name="mobile-web-app-capable" content="yes"> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-capable" content="yes"> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-title" content="theday.com: New London and southeastern Connecticut News, Sports, Business, Entertainment and Video - "> <link rel="profile" href="http://gmpg.org/xfn/11"> <link rel="pingback" href="https://www.theday.com/xmlrpc.php"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Merriweather"> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://www.theday.com/wp-content/themes/theday/images/default_favicon.ico" />  <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://use.typekit.net/bqj1qdm.css"> <script type="text/javascript">var catId = 'Guest-Opinions';</script><title>Action plan for at-risk youth is needed now</title> <meta name="title" content="Action plan for at-risk youth is needed now"/> <meta name="description" content="Young People First. The title and focus of a newly released report by the 119K Commission, an initiative led by mayors of towns and cities across the state and coordinated by the Connecticut Conferenc..."> <meta property="article:tag" content="premium"> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="225224400876751" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Action plan for at-risk youth is needed now"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.theday.com/guest-opinions/20241103/action-plan-for-at-risk-youth-is-needed-now/"> <meta property="og:description" content="Young People First. The title and focus of a newly released report by the 119K Commission, an initiative led by mayors of towns and cities across the state and coordinated by the Connecticut Conferenc..."> <meta property="og:image" content="https://static.theday.com/theday/assets/newsroom/TheDay_Facebook_OG-360px.png"> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@thedayct" /> <meta name="twitter:url" content="https://www.theday.com/guest-opinions/20241103/action-plan-for-at-risk-youth-is-needed-now/" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Young People First. The title and focus of a newly released report by the 119K Commission, an initiative led by mayors of towns and cities across the state and coordinated by the Connecticut Conferenc..."> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Action plan for at-risk youth is needed now" /> <meta property="article:category" content="Connecticut"> <link href='https://cdn.knightlab.com/libs/soundcite/latest/css/player.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css'> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://cdn.knightlab.com/libs/soundcite/latest/js/soundcite.min.js'></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.2.4/jquery.min.js?v=20211014"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/wp-content/themes/theday/slick/slick.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/wp-content/themes/theday/js/theday-legacy.js?v=20220728"></script> <script> var Pelcro = window.Pelcro || (window.Pelcro = {}); Pelcro.uiSettings = {} Pelcro.siteid = "1570"; Pelcro.environment = {}; Pelcro.environment.domain = "https://www.pelcro.com"; Pelcro.environment.ui = "https://js.pelcro.com/ui/plugin/the-day/main.min.js" Pelcro.uiSettings = { enableGoogleAnalytics: false, enableReactGA4: true, newsletters: [ { enable: true } ], }; </script> <script src="https://js.pelcro.com/sdk/main.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/wp-content/themes/theday/css/pelcroModals.css?v=022124.3" /> <script type="text/javascript"> //ad setup var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; var gptAdSlots = []; (function() { var gads = document.createElement('script'); gads.async = true; gads.type = 'text/javascript'; var useSSL = 'https:' == document.location.protocol; gads.src = (useSSL ? 'https:' : 'http:') + // '//www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js'; '//securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js'; var node = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; node.parentNode.insertBefore(gads, node); })(); $td.getScript("/wp-content/themes/theday/dfp/"+catId+".js?v=2024040102") .done(function( script, textStatus ) {console.log("loading Ads script "+catId+".js");}) .fail(function( jqxhr, settings, exception ) { console.log("loading Ads script failed loading test"); //if fail, load test ads googletag.cmd.push(function() { // Define a size mapping object. The first parameter to addSize is // a viewport size, while the second is a list of allowed ad sizes. var mapping = googletag.sizeMapping(). addSize([0, 0], [320, 50]). //addSize([468, 200], [468, 60]). addSize([768, 200], [728, 90]).build(); var mapping2 = googletag.sizeMapping(). addSize([0, 0], [320, 50]). //addSize([400, 200], [468, 60]). addSize([768, 200], [728, 90]).build(); var mapping3 = googletag.sizeMapping(). addSize([0, 0], [300, 250]). //addSize([468, 200], [468, 60]). addSize([768, 200], [300, 600]).build(); // Define the GPT slot gptAdSlots[0] = googletag.defineSlot('/12638013/News_728X90', [[320, 50],[728, 90]], 'leader-ATF'). defineSizeMapping(mapping). addService(googletag.pubads()).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true); gptAdSlots[1] = googletag.defineSlot('/12638013/News_300x250', [300, 250], 'box-ATF'). addService(googletag.pubads()).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true); gptAdSlots[2] = googletag.defineSlot('/12638013/News_300x250', [300, 250], 'box-STF'). addService(googletag.pubads()).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true); gptAdSlots[3] = googletag.defineSlot('/12638013/News_300x600', [[300, 600], [300, 250]], 'hp-STF'). defineSizeMapping(mapping3). addService(googletag.pubads()).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true); gptAdSlots[4] = googletag.defineSlot('/12638013/News_300x250', [300, 250], 'box-BTF'). addService(googletag.pubads()).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true); gptAdSlots[5] = googletag.defineSlot('/12638013/News_728x90', [[320, 50],[728, 90]], 'leader-BTF'). defineSizeMapping(mapping2). addService(googletag.pubads()).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true); // Start ad fetching googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); }); //load ads googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('leader-ATF'); googletag.display('box-ATF'); googletag.display('box-BTF'); googletag.display('box-STF'); googletag.display('hp-STF'); googletag.display('leader-BTF'); }); });</script> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=Test"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); var postType = 'article'; if (postType == 'article'){ gtag('config', 'Test', { 'custom_map': {'dimension1': 'Article'} }); gtag('event', 'article_dimensions', {'Article': 'true'}); } else { gtag('config', 'Test', { 'custom_map': {'dimension1': 'Article'} }); gtag('event', 'article_dimensions', {'Article': 'false'}); } </script><title>Action plan for at-risk youth is needed now – theday.com: New London and southeastern Connecticut News, Sports, Business, Entertainment and Video</title> <style type='text/css'> html, body { font-family: Georgia, Baskerville, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif !important;} form#login { font-family: Georgia, Baskerville, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif !important; } .header-region { background-color: #fdfdfd; } @font-face { font-family: Merriweather; src: url(https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Merriweather); } .hamburger-menu #top-main-menu { width: 300px ; } .teaser-body.frontpagecategoryblock, .teaser-body.frontpagefeaturedtop, .section-teaser .teaser__leadin { color: #212121; } a, .concept-page a { color: #000000; text-decoration: none !important; } .search_page_container a { color: #000000; text-decoration: none !important; } a:hover span.teaser__headline-marker, div#top-bar a:hover, div#right-sidebar a:hover { color: #605151; text-decoration: none !important; } .main-navigation a.nav-link:hover { color: #ffffff !important; } #top-bar, #top-bar .bg-primary { background-color: #222222 !important; } div#top-bar a:hover { color: #cccccc; } #footer-menu .bg-primary { background-color: #231f20 !important; } .footer-menu a { color: #ffffff; } .footer-menu a:hover { color: #6d6d6d; } img.footer_logo_image { max-height: 70px; } #wrapper-navbar .main-navigation.navbar { background-color: #d6d6d6 !important; } nav.main-navigation li a { color: #000000 !important; } .btn-primary, .btn-secondary, .btn, .main-nav-search input#searchsubmit { background-color: #636363 !important;, border-color: #636363 !important; } i.fa.fa-window-close { color: #636363; } #sidebarMenu li a { font-size: 14px; font-family: proxima-nova-condensed,Helvetica,sans-serif; } .sidebarMenu { background-color: #2d2f33} #sidebarMenu li a, #sidebarMenu hr.sidebarMenuLine, .sidebarMenuCloseButton { color: #ffffff; } .widget-title, .frontpagefeaturedtop, .every_board .teaser__headline span { color: #000000; font-family: Georgia, Baskerville, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; } .content-area .entry-header .entry-title, .search_page_title { font-size: 28px; } .section-teaser .entry-title h2.teaser__headline { font-size: 22px; } .section-teaser .category_overlay { background-color: #1e0745; color: #ffffff; } .frontpage-category-title { font-size: 20px; font-family: Georgia, Baskerville, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;} .frontpage-slider .teaser__headline-marker, .frontpagefeaturedtop .teaser__headline-marker { font-size: 24px; } .article-page .article__headline { font-size: 32px; font-family: Georgia, Baskerville, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; } .entry-title.frontpagecategoryblock, .entry-title.frontpagecategoryblock h2, article.teaser.frontpagecategorylistrest .teaser__headline { font-size: 18px; } article.teaser.frontpagecategorylisttop .teaser__headline { font-size: 18px; } article.teaser.frontpagecategorylistrest .teaser__headline { font-size: 14px; } .above_footer_widget_area { background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; } #wrapper-footer { background-color: #231f20;} .content-area.entry-content, .article__body .article-restofcontent { font-family: Georgia, Baskerville, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;} .article__body .article-restofcontent { color: #000000;} span.article__body.article__leadin { color: #000000; font-family: Georgia, Baskerville, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;} .teaser-body.frontpagecategoryblock, .teaser-body.frontpagefeaturedtop { font-size: 15px; } .section-teaser .teaser-body { font-size: 14px; } .article__body .article-restofcontent { font-size: 14px; } .article-date { font-family: Georgia, Baskerville, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;} div#wrapper-navbar { max-width: 100%; margin: auto; } nav.main-navigation, nav.main-navigation li a { font-family: Georgia, Baskerville, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; } .container, .breakingnews-top { max-width: 1200px !important ; } @media (min-width: 1050px) { a.navbar-brand.custom-logo-link { width: 440px ; } } form#login { background-color: #ffffff ; color: #000000; border: 1px solid #000000; } div#top-bar, div#top-bar a { font-family: proxima-nova-condensed,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: #ffffff; } .sidemenuTrigger, .sideMenuTrigger.mobile, .hamburger-menu button#dropdownMenuButton { font-family: proxima-nova-condensed,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: #ffffff; } .footer-menu { font-family: Georgia, Baskerville, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; } .footer-menu .footer-heading { font-size: 18px; color: #a67d51; } .footer-menu a { font-size: 14px; } .footer-logo-contactinfo { font-size: 12px; font-family: Georgia, Baskerville, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color: #ffffff; } .footer-social-media-icon a { color: #ffffff; font-size: 18px; } .footer_copyright { color: #ffffff; font-size: 12px; } #right-sidebar, #left-sidebar, .sidebar { background-color: #ffffff; } article.breaking-section, article.breaking_fullLength { background-color: #9a2323; } .breaking_title, .breaking-teaser, .breaking-teaser .teaser-article-date, .breaking-teaser a, article.breaking_fullLength, article.breaking_fullLength a, .section-teaser.breaking-teaser a:hover { color: white; } .teaser-thin-teaser-category { color: #1e0745; } article.thin-teaser { background-color: #dddddd; } .frontpagecategoryblock.teaser-category, .teaser-frontpage-category-main-category { color: #2e009b } .teaser-frontpage-category-side.opinion .teaser-frontpage-category-side-author, .frontpage-category-main.opinion .teaser-frontpage-category-main-author { color: #935401 } div#top-bar { position: fixed; width: 100%;width: -moz-available; width: -webkit-fill-available;z-index: 100;box-shadow: 0px 1px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.3); padding: 0 2em;} @media all and (max-width: 478px) {.header-region {padding-top: 0;}.sidebarMenu {padding-top: 58px;}} @media all and (min-width: 479px) {.header-region {padding-top: 58px;}.sidebarMenu {padding-top: 58px;}} @media all and (min-width: 504px) {.header-region {padding-top: 58px;}.sidebarMenu {padding-top: 58px;}} @media all and (min-width: 768px) {.header-region {padding-top: 58px;}.sidebarMenu {padding-top: 58px;}} @media all and (min-width: 888px) {.header-region {padding-top: 58px;}.sidebarMenu {padding-top: 58px;}} @media all and (min-width: 992px) {.header-region {padding-top: 58px;}.sidebarMenu {padding-top: 58px;}}</style><link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//www.theday.com' /> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//www.google.com' /> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//static.ew.day.navigacloud.com' /> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//code.jquery.com' /> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//s.w.org' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='wp-block-library-css' href='https://www.theday.com/wp-includes/css/dist/block-library/style.min.css?ver=1730731036034' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='eme-jquery-timepicker-css' href='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/plugins/events-made-easy/js/jquery-timepicker/jquery.timepicker.min.css?ver=1730731036034' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='eme-jquery-fdatepicker-css' href='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/plugins/events-made-easy/js/fdatepicker/css/fdatepicker.min.css?ver=1730731036034' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='eme-jquery-ui-css-css' href='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/plugins/events-made-easy/css/jquery-ui-theme-smoothness-1.11.3/jquery-ui.min.css?ver=1730731036034' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='eme-jquery-ui-autocomplete-css' href='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/plugins/events-made-easy/css/jquery.autocomplete.css?ver=1730731036034' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='eme-jquery-select2-css-css' href='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/plugins/events-made-easy/js/jquery-select2/select2-4.1.0-rc.0/dist/css/select2.min.css?ver=1730731036034' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='eme_textsec-css' href='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/plugins/events-made-easy/css/text-security/text-security-disc.css?ver=1730731036034' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='eme_stylesheet-css' href='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/plugins/events-made-easy/css/eme.css?ver=1730731036034' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='eme-leaflet-css-css' href='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/plugins/events-made-easy/js/leaflet-1.7.1/leaflet.css?ver=1730731036034' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='contact-form-7-css' href='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7/includes/css/styles.css?ver=5.1.4' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='parent-style-css' href='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/themes/everyware-theme-base-1/style.css?ver=1730731036034' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='understrap-css' href='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/themes/everyware-theme-base-1/css/understrap.min.css?ver=1730731036034' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='main-css' href='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/themes/theday/css/main.css?ver=20240702.01' type='text/css' media='' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='day-style-css' href='https://static.ew.day.navigacloud.com/wp-content/themes/theday/assets/css/style.css?ver=1730731036034' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='slick-css' href='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/themes/theday/slick/slick.css?ver=1730731036034' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='slick-theme-css' href='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/themes/theday/slick/slick-theme.css?ver=1730731036034' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='style-css' href='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/themes/theday/style.css?ver=1730731036034' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='base-theme-css' href='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/themes/theday/css/base-theme.min.css?ver=1730731036034' type='text/css' media='all' /> <script type='text/javascript' id='sgr_recaptcha_main-js-extra'> /* <![CDATA[ */ var sgr_recaptcha = {"site_key":"6LfHQOwgAAAAAD_B7mgorL4bqB4SlOQumHMI54_H"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/plugins/simple-google-recaptcha/sgr.js?ver=1730731045' id='sgr_recaptcha_main-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.3.1.min.js?ver=3.3.1' id='jquery-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' id='login-modal-js-extra'> /* <![CDATA[ */ var ajax_login_object = {"ajaxurl":"https:\/\/www.theday.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","redirecturl":"https:\/\/www.theday.com","loadingmessage":""}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/themes/theday/js/login-modal.js?ver=1730731036034' id='login-modal-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/themes/theday/css/base-theme.min.css?ver=1730731036034' id='parent-theme-style-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://static.ew.day.navigacloud.com/wp-content/themes/theday/assets/js/head.js?ver=1730731036034' id='day-head-js-js'></script> <link rel="https://api.w.org/" href="https://www.theday.com/wp-json/" /><link rel='prev' title='The movie ‘A Christmas Story’ becomes a musical at Goodspeed' href='https://www.theday.com/stage/20241103/the-movie-a-christmas-story-becomes-a-musical-at-goodspeed/' /> <link rel='next' title='To build a masterpiece' href='https://www.theday.com/columns/20241103/to-build-a-masterpiece/' /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.theday.com/guest-opinions/20241103/action-plan-for-at-risk-youth-is-needed-now/" /> <link rel='shortlink' href='https://www.theday.com/?p=498227' /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/json+oembed" href="https://www.theday.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theday.com%2Fguest-opinions%2F20241103%2Faction-plan-for-at-risk-youth-is-needed-now%2F" /> <link rel="alternate" type="text/xml+oembed" href="https://www.theday.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theday.com%2Fguest-opinions%2F20241103%2Faction-plan-for-at-risk-youth-is-needed-now%2F&format=xml" /> <script src='https://prod.ew.day.navigacloud.com/?dm=57c9b89633572b02cc3fff738d631684&action=load&blogid=2&siteid=1&t=486772847&back=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theday.com%2Fguest-opinions%2F20241103%2Faction-plan-for-at-risk-youth-is-needed-now%2F' type='text/javascript'></script><script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-XC7S2RYW8V"></script><script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-XC7S2RYW8V'); </script> <style type="text/css" id="wp-custom-css"> div#static-page { padding-top: 100px; } #menu-hamburger-menu li { list-style: none; } @media(max-width:767px) { .support-local-news .content { line-height: 15px; text-align: center; } .support-local-news .content p { font-size: 15px; } } #box-ATF { padding-bottom: 30px; } .eme_events_list { padding-left: 0; } .eme_events_list .title { line-height: 30px; } </style>  <script type="text/javascript" src="//os4m-d.openx.net/w/1.0/jstag?nc=12638013-DAY_Bidder"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; (function() { var gads = document.createElement("script"); gads.async = true; gads.type = "text/javascript"; var useSSL = "https:" == document.location.protocol; gads.src = (useSSL ? "https:" : "http:") + "//www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js"; var node =document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; node.parentNode.insertBefore(gads, node); })(); </script>   <script type="text/javascript"> // Load APS library !function(a9,a,p,s,t,A,g){if(a[a9])return;function q(c,r){a[a9]._Q.push([c,r])}a[a9]={init:function(){q("i",arguments)},fetchBids:function(){q("f",arguments)},setDisplayBids:function(){},targetingKeys:function(){return[]},_Q:[]};A=p.createElement(s);A.async=!0;A.src=t;g=p.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];g.parentNode.insertBefore(A,g)}("apstag",window,document,"script","//c.amazon-adsystem.com/aax2/apstag.js"); /** To activate this feature, you will need to add a parameter to your apstag.init function. The parameter is simplerGPT and it needs to be set to true: **/ apstag.init({ pubID: '8ef79e54-15ec-48fa-b0c6-e0117e2d23ef', // enter your unique publisher id adServer: 'googletag', simplerGPT: true }); </script>   <script type="text/javascript"> /* (function() { var ARTICLE_URL = window.location.href; var CONTENT_ID = 'everything'; document.write( '<scr'+'ipt '+ 'src="//survey.g.doubleclick.net/survey?site=_cnydmmd4aczhvikd64bgivme3m'+ '&url='+encodeURIComponent(ARTICLE_URL)+ (CONTENT_ID ? '&cid='+encodeURIComponent(CONTENT_ID) : '')+ '&random='+(new Date).getTime()+ '" type="text/javascript">'+'\x3C/scr'+'ipt>'); })(); */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//s.ntv.io/serve/load.js" async></script> <script async src="https://widgets.givebutter.com/latest.umd.cjs?acct=JcAu971VPfvxxfoD&p=other"></script> </head> <body class="article-template article-template-single-article article-template-single-article-php single single-article postid-498227"> <input type="hidden" id="security" name="security" value="ed33bba4f2" /><input type="hidden" name="_wp_http_referer" value="/guest-opinions/20241103/action-plan-for-at-risk-youth-is-needed-now/" /><form id="login" action="login" method="post"> <h1 class="login-modal-title">Log In</h1> <hr class="login-modal-line"> <p class="status"></p> <label id="login-modal-username" for="username"><i class="fa fa-user"></i></label> <input id="username" type="text" name="username" placeholder="Username"> <label id="login-modal-password" for="password"><i class="fa fa-lock"></i></label> <input id="password" type="password" name="password" placeholder="Password"> <a class="lost" href="/wp-login.php?action=lostpassword">Reset Password</a> <input class="login-modal-button btn btn-primary submit" type="submit" value="Login" name="submit"> <a class="close" href="#"><i class="fa fa-window-close" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> <input type="hidden" id="security" name="security" value="ed33bba4f2" /><input type="hidden" name="_wp_http_referer" value="/guest-opinions/20241103/action-plan-for-at-risk-youth-is-needed-now/" /> </form><div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v3.2'; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><div id="sidebarMenu" class="sidebarMenu"> <div class="header"> <li style="padding: 0;"> <div class="row" style="margin: 0; padding: 3px 2px;"> <div class="col-xs-9">  <form method="get" class="searchform" id="searchform2" action="/" role="search"> <label class="sr-only" for="s"></label> <div class="input-group"> <input class="field form-control s" name="s" type="text" placeholder="Search..."> </div> </form> </div> <div class="col-xs-3 closer closer-right" style="padding-right: 0!important;"> <a href="#" id="nav-close" onclick="closeNav()"><i class="fa fa-times fa-2x" aria-hidden="true" style="vertical-align: -50%;"></i></a> </div> </div> <div class="row" style="margin: 0; padding: 3px 2px;"> <span class="social-media-cont" style="float: left; padding-left: 0;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thedayct" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-facebook-square fa-2x" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> </span> <span class="social-media-cont" style="float: left; padding-left: 0;"> <a href="https://twitter.com/thedayct" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-twitter-square fa-2x" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> </span> </div> </li> </div> <div class="menu"> <div class="item" menu-title="News" menu-level="0"> <div class="row"> <a class="dropdown-caret col-md-9 title closed" href="#" menu-title="News" menu-level="0">News</a> <a class="dropdown-caret col-md-3" menu-title="News" menu-level="0"><i class="fa fa-caret-down"></i></a></div> <div class="child_menu" style="display:none;" menu-title="News" menu-level="1"> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="News" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/news" menu-title="News Home" menu-level="1">News Home</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="News" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/local-news" menu-title="Local" menu-level="1">Local</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="News" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/courts" menu-title="Police/Fire/Courts" menu-level="1">Police/Fire/Courts</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="News" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/business" menu-title="Business" menu-level="1">Business</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="News" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/state" menu-title="State/Northeast" menu-level="1">State/Northeast</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="News" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/nation-world" menu-title="Nation/World" menu-level="1">Nation/World</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="News" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/Military" menu-title="Military" menu-level="1">Military</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="News" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/Politics" menu-title="National Politics" menu-level="1">National Politics</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="News" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/special-reports" menu-title="Special Reports" menu-level="1">Special Reports</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="News" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/election2024" menu-title="Elections" menu-level="1">Elections</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="News" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/curiousct" menu-title="CuriousCT" menu-level="1">CuriousCT</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="item" menu-title="Sports" menu-level="0"> <div class="row"> <a class="dropdown-caret col-md-9 title closed" href="#" menu-title="Sports" menu-level="0">Sports</a> <a class="dropdown-caret col-md-3" menu-title="Sports" menu-level="0"><i class="fa fa-caret-down"></i></a></div> <div class="child_menu" style="display:none;" menu-title="Sports" menu-level="1"> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Sports" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/sports" menu-title="Sports Home" menu-level="1">Sports Home</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Sports" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/sportuconn" menu-title="UConn" menu-level="1">UConn</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Sports" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/high-school" menu-title="High School" menu-level="1">High School</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Sports" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/other-local" menu-title="Local" menu-level="1">Local</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Sports" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/sportcolleges" menu-title="Colleges" menu-level="1">Colleges</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Sports" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/sportpro" menu-title="Professional" menu-level="1">Professional</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Sports" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/gameday" menu-title="Gameday" menu-level="1">Gameday</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="item" menu-title="Opinion" menu-level="0"> <div class="row"> <a class="dropdown-caret col-md-9 title closed" href="#" menu-title="Opinion" menu-level="0">Opinion</a> <a class="dropdown-caret col-md-3" menu-title="Opinion" menu-level="0"><i class="fa fa-caret-down"></i></a></div> <div class="child_menu" style="display:none;" menu-title="Opinion" menu-level="1"> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Opinion" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/editorials" menu-title="Opinion Home" menu-level="1">Opinion Home</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Opinion" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/editorials" menu-title="Editorials" menu-level="1">Editorials</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Opinion" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/letters" menu-title="Letters" menu-level="1">Letters</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Opinion" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/columns" menu-title="Columns" menu-level="1">Columns</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Opinion" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/op-ed" menu-title="Op-Ed" menu-level="1">Op-Ed</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Opinion" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/op-ed#guest" menu-title="Guest Opinions" menu-level="1">Guest Opinions</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="item" menu-title="Podcasts" menu-level="0"> <div class="row"> <a class="dropdown-caret col-md-9 title closed" href="#" menu-title="Podcasts" menu-level="0">Podcasts</a> <a class="dropdown-caret col-md-3" menu-title="Podcasts" menu-level="0"><i class="fa fa-caret-down"></i></a></div> <div class="child_menu" style="display:none;" menu-title="Podcasts" menu-level="1"> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Podcasts" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/podcasts" menu-title="Podcasts Home" menu-level="1">Podcasts Home</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Podcasts" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/todt" menu-title="Looking for the Todt Family" menu-level="1">Looking for the Todt Family</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Podcasts" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/case-unsolved" menu-title="Case Unsolved" menu-level="1">Case Unsolved</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="item" menu-title="Arts & Entertainment" menu-level="0"> <div class="row"> <a class="dropdown-caret col-md-9 title closed" href="#" menu-title="Arts & Entertainment" menu-level="0">Arts & Entertainment</a> <a class="dropdown-caret col-md-3" menu-title="Arts & Entertainment" menu-level="0"><i class="fa fa-caret-down"></i></a></div> <div class="child_menu" style="display:none;" menu-title="Arts & Entertainment" menu-level="1"> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Arts & Entertainment" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/ent" menu-title="A & E Home" menu-level="1">A & E Home</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Arts & Entertainment" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/Movies" menu-title="Movies & TV" menu-level="1">Movies & TV</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Arts & Entertainment" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/Music" menu-title="Arts & Music" menu-level="1">Arts & Music</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Arts & Entertainment" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/food" menu-title="Food & Drink" menu-level="1">Food & Drink</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Arts & Entertainment" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/events" menu-title="Events" menu-level="1">Events</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Arts & Entertainment" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/exhibits" menu-title="Exhibits" menu-level="1">Exhibits</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Arts & Entertainment" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/Lifestyle" menu-title="Lifestyle" menu-level="1">Lifestyle</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Arts & Entertainment" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/games" menu-title="Games & Puzzles" menu-level="1">Games & Puzzles</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Arts & Entertainment" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/advice-columns" menu-title="Dear Abby" menu-level="1">Dear Abby</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Arts & Entertainment" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/horoscopes" menu-title="Horoscopes" menu-level="1">Horoscopes</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="item" menu-title="Photos & Videos" menu-level="0"> <div class="row"> <a class="dropdown-caret col-md-9 title closed" href="#" menu-title="Photos & Videos" menu-level="0">Photos & Videos</a> <a class="dropdown-caret col-md-3" menu-title="Photos & Videos" menu-level="0"><i class="fa fa-caret-down"></i></a></div> <div class="child_menu" style="display:none;" menu-title="Photos & Videos" menu-level="1"> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Photos & Videos" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/mm" menu-title="Photos & Videos Home" menu-level="1">Photos & Videos Home</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Photos & Videos" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/gameday" menu-title="GameDay" menu-level="1">GameDay</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Photos & Videos" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/video" menu-title="Videos" menu-level="1">Videos</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Photos & Videos" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/photo-galleries" menu-title="Photo Galleries" menu-level="1">Photo Galleries</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="item" menu-title="Obituaries" menu-level="0"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/obituaries" menu-title="Obituaries" menu-level="0">Obituaries</a> </div> </div> <div class="item" menu-title="FAQS" menu-level="0"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/faqs/" menu-title="FAQS" menu-level="0">FAQS</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="header"> <li style="padding: 0;"> <div class="row sidebar_menu_divider marketplace" style="margin: 0; padding: 3px 2px;"> <span class="menuheading" style="float: left; padding-left: 0;"> MARKETPLACE </span> </li> </div> <div class="menu"> <div class="item" menu-title="Classifieds" menu-level="0"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/classifieds" menu-title="Classifieds" menu-level="0">Classifieds</a> </div> </div> <div class="item" menu-title="Jobs" menu-level="0"> <div class="row"> <a class="dropdown-caret col-md-9 title closed" href="#" menu-title="Jobs" menu-level="0">Jobs</a> <a class="dropdown-caret col-md-3" menu-title="Jobs" menu-level="0"><i class="fa fa-caret-down"></i></a></div> <div class="child_menu" style="display:none;" menu-title="Jobs" menu-level="1"> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Jobs" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/monster/" menu-title="Jobs" menu-level="1">Jobs</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Jobs" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/jobfair" menu-title="2024 Job Fair" menu-level="1">2024 Job Fair</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="item" menu-title="Homes" menu-level="0"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/homes" menu-title="Homes" menu-level="0">Homes</a> </div> </div> <div class="item" menu-title="Wheels" menu-level="0"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/wheels" menu-title="Wheels" menu-level="0">Wheels</a> </div> </div> <div class="item" menu-title="Contests" menu-level="0"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/contests" menu-title="Contests" menu-level="0">Contests</a> </div> </div> <div class="item" menu-title="Magazines" menu-level="0"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/section/magazines" menu-title="Magazines" menu-level="0">Magazines</a> </div> </div> <div class="item" menu-title="Bookstore" menu-level="0"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="https://www.pediment.com/collections/the-day-new-london-ct" menu-title="Bookstore" menu-level="0">Bookstore</a> </div> </div> <div class="item" menu-title="Business Directory" menu-level="0"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="https://local.theday.com" menu-title="Business Directory" menu-level="0">Business Directory</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="header"> <li style="padding: 0;"> <div class="row sidebar_menu_divider services" style="margin: 0; padding: 3px 2px;"> <span class="menuheading" style="float: left; padding-left: 0;"> SERVICES </span> </li> </div> <div class="menu"> <div class="item" menu-title="Day Media Group" menu-level="0"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="https://daymediagroup.com/" menu-title="Day Media Group" menu-level="0">Day Media Group</a> </div> </div> <div class="item" menu-title="Membership" menu-level="0"> <div class="row"> <a class="dropdown-caret col-md-9 title closed" href="#" menu-title="Membership" menu-level="0">Membership</a> <a class="dropdown-caret col-md-3" menu-title="Membership" menu-level="0"><i class="fa fa-caret-down"></i></a></div> <div class="child_menu" style="display:none;" menu-title="Membership" menu-level="1"> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Membership" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="https://classadz.vdata.com/Legacy/NewLondonDay/Circulation/Subscriber" menu-title="Manage Print Subscription" menu-level="1">Manage Print Subscription</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Membership" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="https://epaper.theday.com/epaper/viewer.aspx" menu-title="Electronic Edition" menu-level="1">Electronic Edition</a> </div> </div> <div class="item childmenu" menu-title="Membership" menu-level="1"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/dayapp" menu-title="The Day's App" menu-level="1">The Day's App</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="item" menu-title="E-Paper" menu-level="0"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="https://epaper.theday.com/epaper/viewer.aspx" menu-title="E-Paper" menu-level="0">E-Paper</a> </div> </div> <div class="item" menu-title="Advertising" menu-level="0"> <div class="row"> <a class="col-md-9 title" href="/advertising-products" menu-title="Advertising" menu-level="0">Advertising</a> </div> </div> </div></div><div class="mobile d-md-none sticky-top"><div id="top-bar-mobile"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="sidemenuTrigger col-2" onclick="openNav('250')"> <div class="hamburger-button"> <i class="fa fa-bars" aria-hidden="true"></i> </div> </div> <div class="logo col-6"> <a href="/"><img src="/wp-content/themes/theday/images/mobile_top_image.svg"></a> </div> <div class="links col-4"> <span class="login"><button class="pelcro-login-button login-button">Login</button></span> <span class="login"><button class="pelcro-subscribe-button login-button">Subscribe</button></span> </div> </div> </div> </div></div><div class="desktop d-none d-md-block"><div id="top-bar" class=" "> <div class="row"> <div class="left col-md-4"> <div class="row"> <div class="sidemenu col-md-4"> <div class="sidemenuTrigger" onclick="openNav('270')"> <div class="sidebarTriggerText">MENU <i class="fa fa-bars" aria-hidden="true"></i></div> </div> </div> <div class="menu col-md-8"> <nav class="left-top-bar-menu navbar navbar-expand-md navbar-light bg-primary" style="height:100%;"> <div class="top-bar-left-menu"> <div id="topMenu_left" class="collapse navbar-collapse"> <ul id="Top Bar - Left" class="navbar-nav navbar" style="margin:0px;"> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/" class="nav-link"><i class="fa fa-home fa-lg white"></i></a></li> <li class="nav-item"> <a title="Contact Us" href="/contact-the-day" class="nav-link">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </div> </div> <div class="center col-md-4"> <div class="top-bar-logo" style="display:none;"><a href="/"><img src="/wp-content/themes/theday/images/mobile_top_image.svg"></a></div> </div> <div class="right col-md-4"> <div class="row"> <div class="search-form col-md-1"> <div class="searchmenu"><i class="fa fa-search"></i></div> <div id="myDropdown" class="search-bar"> <form method="get" class="searchform input-group-prepend" id="searchform" action="/" role="search"> <div class="search-field"> <input class="form-control" name="s" type="text" placeholder="Search theday.com ..."> </div> <input type="submit" value="Go!" class="search-button input-group-append"> </form> </div> </div> <div class="menu col-md-10"> <nav class="right-top-bar-menu navbar navbar-expand-md navbar-light bg-primary"> <ul id="top-bar-right" class="navbar-nav"> <li class="top-navigation-login"><button class="pelcro-login-button login-button">Login</button></li> <li class="top-navigation-register"><button class="pelcro-subscribe-button login-button">Subscribe</button></li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <script> //Reload page on login and logout to update links document.addEventListener("PelcroUserLogin", () => { document.location.reload(true); }) document.addEventListener("PelcroUserLogout", () => { document.location.reload(true); }) </script></div><div class="header-region-article"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="logo col-md-3 col-3 d-md-block d-none"> <a href="/"><img src="/wp-content/themes/theday/images/article-header-logo.svg"></a> </div> <div class="section col-md-6 col-12">Guest Opinions</div> <div class="date col-md-3 col-12">Sunday, November 24, 2024</div> </div> <div class="separator"></div> </div> </div> <div id="topad" class="article col-sm-12"> <div class="leaderboard ad-cont" id='leader-ATF' style="margin-bottom: 36px;"></div> </div>    <div class="wrapper" id="index-wrapper"> <div class="container" id="content" tabindex="-1"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-lg-9 col-md-12 col-sm-12 content-area" id="everyware-theme-base-1"> <div class="container"> <div id="main-body"> <article class="article-page" data-uuid="ec9de02e-7405-47e6-8185-6c66b3c16ca3"> <div class="article__part--main">  <h1 class="article__headline"> Action plan for at-risk youth is needed now </h1> <div class="row justify-content-md-center"> <div class="col-12" style="padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"> <div class="article-slider"> </div> <div class="social-media article"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.theday.com/guest-opinions/20241103/action-plan-for-at-risk-youth-is-needed-now/" target="_blank"> <i class="fa fa-facebook-f"></i> </a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.theday.com/guest-opinions/20241103/action-plan-for-at-risk-youth-is-needed-now/"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" version="1.1" height="1em" class="icon" style="margin-bottom: 4px;"> <path d="M18.244 2.25h3.308l-7.227 8.26 8.502 11.24H16.17l-5.214-6.817L4.99 21.75H1.68l7.73-8.835L1.254 2.25H8.08l4.713 6.231zm-1.161 17.52h1.833L7.084 4.126H5.117z" fill="#666666"> </path> </svg> </a> <a title="Share via Email" href="mailto:?subject=I%20wanted%20you%20to%20see%20this%20article%20on%20theday.com&body=Here%20is%20the%20link:%20https://www.theday.com/guest-opinions/20241103/action-plan-for-at-risk-youth-is-needed-now/"> <i class="fa fa-envelope"></i> </a> <a href="#comment_template"> 2 <i class="fa fa-comments"></i> </a> <a href="https://www.theday.com/guest-opinions/20241103/action-plan-for-at-risk-youth-is-needed-now/?print"> <i class="fa fa-print"></i> </a> <button class="pelcro-save-button bookmark-button" data-key="Articles" data-link="https://www.theday.com/guest-opinions/20241103/action-plan-for-at-risk-youth-is-needed-now/" data-title="Action plan for at-risk youth is needed now"> <i class="fa fa-bookmark"></i> </button> </div> <div class="article-date"> <div class="article-pubdate">November 03, 2024 6:00 am • Last Updated: November 01, 2024 2:33 pm</div> </div> <div class="article-byline"> <div class="article__byline-container article__part"> <div class="article__byline-info"> <div class="article__byline-name">By <b>Lisa Tepper Bates</b></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="article-restofcontent">  <p class="article__body">Young People First. The title and focus of a <a href="https://www.ccm-ct.org/YoungPeopleFirst/Young-People-First-Report" id="link-d32b91071962cec5dbfec7b01c2d7037" target="_self">newly released report by the 119K Commission</a>, an initiative led by mayors of towns and cities across the state and coordinated by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, could not be more succinct or more urgent.</p> <p class="article__body">The comprehensive report outlines a clear path forward for Connecticut to effectively address — without delay — the ongoing crisis currently impacting tens of thousands of disconnected and at-risk youth all across our state, in communities large and small.</p> <p class="article__body">A year ago, organizations including United Way of Connecticut, Dalio Education and scores of community-based nonprofits who are on the frontlines addressing the challenges facing these young people — implored the state legislature to take meaningful and productive steps to respond. Initial actions were taken, but there was little doubt, then and now, that much more needed to be done if progress was truly to be achieved and sustained.</p> <p class="article__body">United Way of Connecticut proudly built a coalition of nonprofit organizations whose voices have continued to not only amplify the challenges but suggest solutions within our reach. We all share a bold commitment to our young people reflected in the 119K Commission report. Addressing the barriers to the success of these young people is unmistakenly vital for our communities and economy, a fact also recognized by supportive business leaders in Connecticut.</p> <p class="article__body">This crisis is widespread because economic hardship is widespread. <a href="https://alice.ctunitedway.org/" id="link-14362a34ade1c1dd3b4203d003911996" target="_self">Today, more than 564,000 ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed) households</a> are struggling across every zip code in our state. The 119,000 young people identified in this report were likely raised in an ALICE family. Without support, they will likely raise their children in an ALICE family, too. Addressing this crisis with focus and urgency can break this generational cycle.</p> <p class="article__body">It’s very well understood that the more stability there is in the family, the better the odds are that a young person will have what they need to find their own path, to address their own challenges, to weather the difficult experiences of adolescence and to make the most of their talents, skills and abilities. Too many families in our state are struggling financially, including at-risk and disconnected young people who are raising children of their own. The pressure is crushing when you’re so worried about paying the bills, keeping a roof over your head, putting food on the table and keeping the lights on.</p> <p class="article__body">Given the drastic 13% increase in ALICE households since 2019, we’re headed in the wrong direction, and we have no time to lose. The report outlines a comprehensive 10-year plan to cut the number of at-risk and disconnected youth in half, arguably the minimum that should be done. It includes “ready-to-implement" solutions that Connecticut should prioritize for immediate investment in light of this crisis:</p> <p class="article__body">• Support an expanded and refundable Child Tax Credit at the state and federal levels to provide families with direct financial support and relieve financial stress.</p> <p class="article__body">• Establish a critically important integrated case management structure to coordinate the wide range of services a young person needs to thrive across different organizations and sectors, so that these young people don’t have to knock on a dozen different doors to find the help they need.</p> <p class="article__body">• Enhance the 211 system to reduce wait times and provide targeted flex funds to cover gaps in existing services to ensure that this trusted resource keeps young people on track.</p> <p class="article__body">Let’s start with what’s most urgent. Connecticut should proactively invest in young people’s success up front, rather than pay on the back end for incarceration, for substance-use treatment, for mental health crises that could have been avoided if they’d had the tools, stability and support earlier. We need these young people.</p> <p class="article__body">United Way of Connecticut is ready to be a partner in such a sustained, multi-faceted initiative. The coalition of nonprofit organizations we have been working closely with on these issues are more than ready, with track records of accomplishment which demonstrate that with sufficient resources and enhanced coordination, we can, as a state, unlock these proven solutions.</p> <p class="article__body">Together, we can help every young person realize their full potential. It’s a win-win and it’s urgent.</p> <p class="article__body"><strong id="strong-42e8e65c7be36aba92fa26e4b65cc9fd">Lisa Tepper Bates is President and CEO of United Way of Connecticut.</strong></p> </div> </div> <script> // Hide all content below the specific part const contentBelowHalf = document.querySelectorAll(`.every_board > *:nth-child(n+14)`); contentBelowHalf.forEach(element => { element.style.display = 'none'; }); // Get the height of the full page const fullHeight = document.body.scrollHeight; // Calculate 50% of the full height const halfHeight = fullHeight / 3; // Add an event listener to detect when the user has scrolled past the 50% mark window.addEventListener('scroll', () => { const scrollPosition = window.scrollY + window.innerHeight; if (scrollPosition >= halfHeight) { // Show all content below the 50% mark when the user has scrolled to that point contentBelowHalf.forEach(element => { element.style.display = ''; }); } }); </script>  <p>Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.<p>  <div id="comment_template" class="comment_template col-md-12"></div> <script> $td(document).ready(function(){ $td('#comment_template').load("/comments?post_id=498227&arturl=/guest-opinions/20241103/action-plan-for-at-risk-youth-is-needed-now/" ); }); </script> <div class="container"> <div id="main-body"> <div class="article-tags"> </div> <div class="relatedArticles"> <div class="heading">STORIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU</div> <div class="article col-md-12"> <a href="https://www.theday.com/stage/20241124/review-goodspeed-serves-up-holiday-cheer-with-the-musical-a-christmas-story/"> <div class="row"> <div class="image col-md-4"><img src="https://imengine.public.prod.day.navigacloud.com/?uuid=80c68069-7f83-5b2c-960b-3419e46e22d6&function=hardcrop&type=preview&source=false&width=301&height=171" uuid=""></div> <div class="content col-md-8"> <div class="headline">Review: Goodspeed serves up holiday cheer with the musical ‘A Christmas Story’</div> <div class="summary">When you enter the Goodspeed Opera House, you see a scrim onstage that resembles a present. The name of the current show, “A Christmas Story, The Musical,” is emblazoned on a giant gift tag. The rest ...</div> </div> </div> </a> </div> <div class="article col-md-12"> <a href="https://www.theday.com/state/20241123/new-hampshire-courts-hear-2-cases-on-transgender-girls-playing-girls-sports/"> <div class="row"> <div class="image col-md-4"><img src="https://imengine.public.prod.day.navigacloud.com/?uuid=430eebce-a0d3-58b4-a515-1e984a2ddc90&function=hardcrop&type=preview&source=false&width=301&height=171" uuid=""></div> <div class="content col-md-8"> <div class="headline">New Hampshire courts hear 2 cases on transgender girls playing girls sports</div> <div class="summary">Concord, N.H. — Two New Hampshire fathers who were barred from school district events for wearing pink wristbands marked “XX” to represent female chromosomes insisted at a federal court hearing Thursd...</div> </div> </div> </a> </div> <div class="article col-md-12"> <a href="https://www.theday.com/nation/20241123/nations-at-un-climate-talks-agree-on-300b-a-year-for-poor-countries-in-a-compromise-deal/"> <div class="row"> <div class="image col-md-4"><img src="https://imengine.public.prod.day.navigacloud.com/?uuid=91e50c58-deb4-5a94-9b32-42c2c08a26ca&function=hardcrop&type=preview&source=false&width=301&height=171" uuid=""></div> <div class="content col-md-8"> <div class="headline">Nations at UN climate talks agree on $300B a year for poor countries in a compromise deal</div> <div class="summary">Baku, Azerbaijan — United Nations climate talks adopted a deal to inject at least $300 billion annually in humanity’s fight against climate change, aimed at helping poor nations cope with the ravages ...</div> </div> </div> </a> </div> <div class="article col-md-12"> <a href="https://www.theday.com/nation/20241123/even-with-access-to-blockbuster-obesity-drugs-some-people-dont-lose-weight/"> <div class="row"> <div class="image col-md-4"><img src="https://imengine.public.prod.day.navigacloud.com/?uuid=92843dbf-0ef8-5bcf-9ab6-e0105cfaf9f9&function=hardcrop&type=preview&source=false&width=301&height=171" uuid=""></div> <div class="content col-md-8"> <div class="headline">Even with access to blockbuster obesity drugs, some people don't lose weight</div> <div class="summary">Unlike scores of people who scrambled for the blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy to lose weight in recent years, Danielle Griffin had no trouble getting them. The 38-year-old information technology ...</div> </div> </div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <script> // Hide all content below the specific part const contentBelowHalf = document.querySelectorAll(`.every_board > *:nth-child(n+14)`); contentBelowHalf.forEach(element => { element.style.display = 'none'; }); // Get the height of the full page const fullHeight = document.body.scrollHeight; // Calculate 50% of the full height const halfHeight = fullHeight / 3; // Add an event listener to detect when the user has scrolled past the 50% mark window.addEventListener('scroll', () => { const scrollPosition = window.scrollY + window.innerHeight; if (scrollPosition >= halfHeight) { // Show all content below the 50% mark when the user has scrolled to that point contentBelowHalf.forEach(element => { element.style.display = ''; }); } }); </script>  </div> <div class="col-lg-3 col-md-12 widget-area" id="right-sidebar" role="complementary"> <aside id="custom_html-9" class="widget_text widget widget_custom_html"><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><div class="smaller-right-col"> <div class="lrec ad-cont" id="box-ATF"></div></div></div></aside><aside id="custom_html-20" class="widget_text widget widget_custom_html"><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><div class="sidebar_heading" style="color: #880000;"> The Day's Digital Archive </div> <p style="font-family: proxima-nova-condensed, sans-serif; margin-top: -10px;"> 142 years of history at your fingertips. Search for <a href="https://theday.newspapers.com/?xid=5837"><strong>FREE here</strong></a>. </p> <hr /> </div></aside><aside id="custom_html-8" class="widget_text widget widget_custom_html"><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><div class="sidebar_heading"> Latest News </div></div></aside><section class="ew-article-list__container"><article class="sidebar-latest teaser" data-uuid="0ee221e4-591e-4d1f-80ad-2655982938ed"><div class="headline"><a href="https://www.theday.com/state/20241123/stop-free-coffee-and-treats-this-weekend/">Stop & Shop 'largely recovered' after computer hack; free coffee and treats this weekend</a></div><div class="date">10:55 pm</div></article><article class="sidebar-latest teaser" data-uuid="9a64f37c-dce5-45a2-88b0-7ef7948a3392"><div class="headline"><a href="https://www.theday.com/nation/20241123/nations-at-un-climate-talks-agree-on-300b-a-year-for-poor-countries-in-a-compromise-deal/">Nations at UN climate talks agree on $300B a year for poor countries in a compromise deal</a></div><div class="date">10:53 pm</div></article><article class="sidebar-latest teaser" data-uuid="41f9ccf7-7dc6-4acb-91ac-a3f990bfd8c7"><div class="headline"><a href="https://www.theday.com/nation/20241123/sharp-elbows-and-raised-voices-inside-trumps-bumpy-transition/">Sharp elbows and raised voices: Inside Trump’s bumpy transition</a></div><div class="date">10:46 pm</div></article><article class="sidebar-latest teaser" data-uuid="b33a6bf7-dfa0-4392-930a-7dfdd50f2f47"><div class="headline"><a href="https://www.theday.com/nation/20241123/senator-freezes-promotion-of-general-who-led-during-afghanistan-evacuation/">Senator freezes promotion of general who led during Afghanistan evacuation</a></div><div class="date">10:40 pm</div></article><article class="sidebar-latest teaser" data-uuid="68befbb1-69a6-43e1-8669-24ecacbe804a"><div class="headline"><a href="https://www.theday.com/nation/20241123/will-a-winter-storm-hit-the-u-s-over-thanksgiving-week-heres-what-forecasts-show-so-far/">Will a winter storm hit the U.S. over Thanksgiving week? Here's what forecasts show so far</a></div><div class="date">10:36 pm</div></article></section><aside id="custom_html-6" class="widget_text widget widget_custom_html"><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><div class="smaller-right-col" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <div class="lrec ad-cont" id="box-STF"></div></div></div></aside><aside id="custom_html-12" class="widget_text widget widget_custom_html"><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><div class="native-cont cont-margin-bottom" style="margin-top: 20px;"></div></div></aside><aside id="custom_html-4" class="widget_text widget widget_custom_html"><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><div class="sidebar_heading"> Trending </div></div></aside><section class="ew-most-read-google-analytics ew-most-read-google-analytics__container"><article class="mostread-teaser" data-uuid="1ec0beba-f6c6-49e5-acdc-5bbe755b2934"><span class="count"></span><a class="mostread__link" href="https://www.theday.com/courts/20241122/man-charged-in-fatal-groton-dirt-bike-crash-rejects-7-year-prison-sentence/"><span class="headline"> Man charged in fatal Groton dirt bike crash rejects 7-year prison sentence </span></a></article><article class="mostread-teaser" data-uuid="789965e3-5e0f-43af-94e3-09567b01c2f3"><span class="count"></span><a class="mostread__link" href="https://www.theday.com/local-news/20241121/splashdown-great-wolf-lodge-moves-up-opening-to-may-23/"><span class="headline"> Splashdown: Great Wolf Lodge moves up opening to May 23</span></a></article><article class="mostread-teaser" data-uuid="b95f2ec7-98ce-4109-9523-ae625b71833f"><span class="count"></span><a class="mostread__link" href="https://www.theday.com/business/20241122/tox-raises-a-glass-to-new-era-in-downtown-new-london/"><span class="headline"> Tox raises a glass to new era in downtown New London</span></a></article><article class="mostread-teaser" data-uuid="ad1b6d79-6f4e-4ff1-a988-2c4390413e20"><span class="count"></span><a class="mostread__link" href="https://www.theday.com/police-fire-reports/20241122/new-london-ledyard-police-investigate-reports-of-shots-fired/"><span class="headline"> Updated: New London, Ledyard police investigate reports of shots fired </span></a></article><article class="mostread-teaser" data-uuid="80ad3ea6-e081-426e-b633-ee876fd55598"><span class="count"></span><a class="mostread__link" href="https://www.theday.com/local-news/20241122/contractor-discovers-substandard-soil-at-state-pier/"><span class="headline"> Contractor discovers substandard soil at State Pier </span></a></article></section><aside id="custom_html-7" class="widget_text widget widget_custom_html"><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><div class="hp ad-cont" id="hp-STF"></div></div></aside><aside id="custom_html-11" class="widget_text widget widget_custom_html"><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><div class="sidebar_heading"> Podcasts </div></div></aside><section class="ew-article-list__container"><div class="inner-cont clearfix" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" data-uuid="c72469bd-8673-4b8c-b192-26d2672db5b4"><h5><a href="https://www.theday.com/multimedia/20230807/an-altar-boy-in-newport-rhode-island/"><div class="entry-title">An altar boy in Newport, Rhode Island</a></h5></div><hr class="story-sep"><div class="inner-cont clearfix" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" data-uuid="97c854b5-fe61-4002-971a-031c1041cd71"><h5><a href="https://www.theday.com/multimedia/20230713/bee-rescuer-patrick-gaudin/"><div class="entry-title">Bee rescuer Patrick Gaudin</a></h5></div><hr class="story-sep"><div class="inner-cont clearfix" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" data-uuid="fe8531fa-ccde-4841-a9d9-c241271e4360"><h5><a href="https://www.theday.com/multimedia/20230707/reporting-on-church-sex-abuse-cases-for-over-20-years/"><div class="entry-title">Reporting on church sex abuse cases for over 20 years</a></h5></div><hr class="story-sep"><div class="inner-cont clearfix" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" data-uuid="e8bb9cee-3fd2-42de-ae3c-4f9607324d7b"><h5><a href="https://www.theday.com/multimedia/20230629/dictionary-researcher-joshua-pendragon/"><div class="entry-title">Dictionary researcher Joshua Pendragon</a></h5></div><hr class="story-sep"><div class="inner-cont clearfix" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" data-uuid="6db85e0d-d51b-4148-bfc4-cde78cd3e04e"><h5><a href="https://www.theday.com/multimedia/20230623/providing-victims-of-church-abuse-some-justice-and-accountability/"><div class="entry-title">Providing victims of church abuse some justice and accountability</a></h5></div></section><aside id="custom_html-10" class="widget_text widget widget_custom_html"><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><div class="smaller-right-col"> <div class="lrec ad-cont" id="box-BTF"></div></div></div></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="bottomad" class="col-sm-12"> <div class="leaderboard ad-cont" id='leader-BTF'></div> </div>  <style> .icon:hover { fill: #a67d51; } </style> <div class="footer"> <div class="container">  <div class="back-to-top"> <i class="fa fa-caret-up"></i> <a href="#">Back To Top</a> </div> <div class="logo"> <a class="navbar-brand" rel="home" href="/" title="theday.com: New London and southeastern Connecticut News, Sports, Business, Entertainment and Video"><img class="footer_logo_image" src="https://www.theday.com/wp-content/themes/theday/images/default_footer-logo.svg"></a> </div> <div class="row"> <div class="left col-md-6"> <div class="about-us"> <div class="heading"><a href="/about-the-day" title="About the Day">About The Day</a></div> <div class="info"> <div class="info-heading"><strong>The Day Publishing Company</strong></div> <span>47 Eugene O'Neill Drive</span></br> <span>P.O. Box 1231</span></br> <span>New London, CT 06320-1231 USA</span></br> </div> </div> <div class="staff-profiles"> <div class="heading">Staff Profiles</div> <div class="top"> <span><a href="/section/staff-management/">President/Publisher</a></span> <span><a href="/section/staff">Newsroom</a></span> <span><a href="/section/staff-advertising">Advertising/Marketing</a></span> </div> <div class="bottom"> <span><a href="/faqs">FAQs</a></span> <span><a href="/jobs-at-the-day">Jobs at The Day</a></span> <span><a href="/contact-the-day">Contact Us</a></span> </div> </div> <div class="connect-with-us"> <div class="social-media-icons"> <div class="heading">Connect With Us</div> <div class="icons"> <span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thedayct"><i class="fa fa-facebook"></i></a></span>  <a href="https://twitter.com/thedayct" style="padding-right: 20px;"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="1.0em" viewBox="0 0 512 512" class="icon"> <style id="svgStyle">svg{fill:#ffffff}</style> <path d="M389.2 48h70.6L305.6 224.2 487 464H345L233.7 318.6 106.5 464H35.8L200.7 275.5 26.8 48H172.4L272.9 180.9 389.2 48zM364.4 421.8h39.1L151.1 88h-42L364.4 421.8z"></path></svg></a> <span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/thedayct"><i class="fa fa-youtube"></i></a></span> <span><a href="http://instagram.com/thedayct"><i class="fa fa-instagram"></i></a></span> <span><a href="http://thedaynews.tumblr.com/"><i class="fa fa-tumblr"></i></a></span> <span><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/thedayct"><i class="fa fa-pinterest"></i></a></span> <span><a href="/section/rss-feeds"><i class="fa fa-rss"></i></a></span> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="right col-md-6"> <div class="quick-links"> <div class="heading">Quick Links</div> <div class="links"> <span><a href="http://epaper.theday.com/"><i class="fa fa-desktop"></i>E-Paper</a></span> <span><a href="/section/contests"><i class="fa fa-trophy"></i>Contests</a></span> <span><a href="/section/horoscopes">Horoscopes</a></span> <span><a href="/section/games">Puzzles</a></span> </div> <div class="links"> <span><a href="/section/Movies">Movies/TV</a></span> <span><a href="/section/milestones">Milestones</a></span> <span><a href="https://www.theday.com/newsletters/">Newsletters</a></span> </div> </div> <div class="advertising"> <div class="heading">Advertising</div> <div class="links"> <span><a href="/advertising-products/">About Our Ads</a></span> <span><a href="/advertise-with-the-day/">Advertise</a></span> <span><a href="https://www.theday.com/section/classifieds">Place A Classified Ad</a></span> <span><a href="/contact-the-day">Contacts</a></span> </div> <div class="links"> <span><a href="/monster">Find New London Area Jobs</a></span> <span><a href="http://local.theday.com/">Business Directory</a></span> </div> </div> <div class="services"> <div class="heading">Services</div> <div class="links"> <span><a href="https://daymediagroup.com/">Day Media Group</a></span> <span><a href="https://theday.smugmug.com">Photo Reprints</a></span> <span><a href="/privacy-policy-terms">Privacy Policy/Terms</a></span> <span><a href="/section/rssfeeds">RSS</a></span> <span><a href="/get-text-alerts">Text/SMS Alerts</a></span> </div> <div class="links"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/plugins/events-made-easy/js/jquery-timepicker/jquery.timepicker.min.js?ver=2.2.79' id='eme-jquery-timepicker-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/plugins/events-made-easy/js/fdatepicker/js/fdatepicker.min.js?ver=2.2.79' id='eme-jquery-fdatepicker-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/plugins/events-made-easy/js/jquery-select2/select2-4.1.0-rc.0/dist/js/select2.min.js?ver=2.2.79' id='eme-select2-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' id='eme-basic-js-extra'> /* <![CDATA[ */ var emebasic = {"translate_plugin_url":"https:\/\/www.theday.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/events-made-easy\/","translate_ajax_url":"https:\/\/www.theday.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","translate_selectstate":"State","translate_selectcountry":"Country","translate_frontendnonce":"bc4f5aa80b","translate_error":"An error has occurred","translate_clear":"Clear","translate_mailingpreferences":"Mailing preferences","translate_yessure":"Yes, I'm sure","translate_iwantmails":"I want to receive mails","translate_firstDayOfWeek":"1","translate_flanguage":"en","translate_fdateformat":"F j, Y","translate_ftimeformat":"H:i"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type='text/javascript' defer="defer" src='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/plugins/events-made-easy/js/eme.js?ver=2.2.79' id='eme-basic-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.theday.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/core.min.js?ver=1.11.4' id='jquery-ui-core-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.theday.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/widget.min.js?ver=1.11.4' id='jquery-ui-widget-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.theday.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/mouse.min.js?ver=1.11.4' id='jquery-ui-mouse-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.theday.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/resizable.min.js?ver=1.11.4' id='jquery-ui-resizable-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.theday.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/draggable.min.js?ver=1.11.4' id='jquery-ui-draggable-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.theday.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/button.min.js?ver=1.11.4' id='jquery-ui-button-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.theday.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/position.min.js?ver=1.11.4' id='jquery-ui-position-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.theday.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/dialog.min.js?ver=1.11.4' id='jquery-ui-dialog-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' id='contact-form-7-js-extra'> /* <![CDATA[ */ var wpcf7 = {"apiSettings":{"root":"https:\/\/www.theday.com\/wp-json\/contact-form-7\/v1","namespace":"contact-form-7\/v1"},"cached":"1"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7/includes/js/scripts.js?ver=5.1.4' id='contact-form-7-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js?render=6LfHQOwgAAAAAD_B7mgorL4bqB4SlOQumHMI54_H&ver=3.0' id='google-recaptcha-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/themes/everyware-theme-base-1/js/understrap.min.js?ver=1730731036034' id='understrap-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/themes/theday/js/menus.js?ver=20211009011' id='menus-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/themes/theday/js/content.js?ver=20240412' id='content-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.theday.com/wp-includes/js/dist/vendor/moment.min.js?ver=2.26.0' id='moment-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' id='moment-js-after'> moment.updateLocale( 'en_US', {"months":["January","February","March","April","May","June","July","August","September","October","November","December"],"monthsShort":["Jan","Feb","Mar","Apr","May","Jun","Jul","Aug","Sep","Oct","Nov","Dec"],"weekdays":["Sunday","Monday","Tuesday","Wednesday","Thursday","Friday","Saturday"],"weekdaysShort":["Sun","Mon","Tue","Wed","Thu","Fri","Sat"],"week":{"dow":1},"longDateFormat":{"LT":"H:i","LTS":null,"L":null,"LL":"F j, Y","LLL":"F j, Y g:i a","LLLL":null}} ); </script> <script type='text/javascript' id='day-body-js-js-extra'> /* <![CDATA[ */ var infomaker = {"ajaxurl":"https:\/\/www.theday.com\/ajax.php"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://static.ew.day.navigacloud.com/wp-content/themes/theday/assets/js/body.js?ver=1730731036034' id='day-body-js-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://static.ew.day.navigacloud.com/wp-content/themes/theday/assets/js/article.js?ver=1730731036034' id='day-article-js-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/themes/theday/slick/slick.js?ver=1730731036034' id='slick-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/themes/theday/slick/slick-theme.js?ver=1730731036034' id='slick-theme-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.theday.com/wp-content/themes/theday/js/breaking.js?ver=1730731036034' id='breaking-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.theday.com/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js?ver=1730731036034' id='wp-embed-js'></script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function( grecaptcha, sitekey, actions ) { var wpcf7recaptcha = { execute: function( action ) { grecaptcha.execute( sitekey, { action: action } ).then( function( token ) { var forms = document.getElementsByTagName( 'form' ); for ( var i = 0; i < forms.length; i++ ) { var fields = forms[ i ].getElementsByTagName( 'input' ); for ( var j = 0; j < fields.length; j++ ) { var field = fields[ j ]; if ( 'g-recaptcha-response' === field.getAttribute( 'name' ) ) { field.setAttribute( 'value', token ); break; } } } } ); }, executeOnHomepage: function() { wpcf7recaptcha.execute( actions[ 'homepage' ] ); }, executeOnContactform: function() { wpcf7recaptcha.execute( actions[ 'contactform' ] ); }, }; grecaptcha.ready( wpcf7recaptcha.executeOnHomepage ); document.addEventListener( 'change', wpcf7recaptcha.executeOnContactform, false ); document.addEventListener( 'wpcf7submit', wpcf7recaptcha.executeOnHomepage, false ); } )( grecaptcha, '6LfHQOwgAAAAAD_B7mgorL4bqB4SlOQumHMI54_H', {"homepage":"homepage","contactform":"contactform"} ); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> var infolinks_pid = 3370146; var infolinks_wsid = 0; </script>  <script type="text/javascript"> (function(e,t,o,n,p,r,i){e.visitorGlobalObjectAlias=n;e[e.visitorGlobalObjectAlias]=e[e.visitorGlobalObjectAlias]||function(){(e[e.visitorGlobalObjectAlias].q=e[e.visitorGlobalObjectAlias].q||[]).push(arguments)};e[e.visitorGlobalObjectAlias].l=(new Date).getTime();r=t.createElement("script");r.src=o;r.async=true;i=t.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];i.parentNode.insertBefore(r,i)})(window,document,"https://diffuser-cdn.app-us1.com/diffuser/diffuser.js","vgo"); vgo('setAccount', '89044654'); vgo('setTrackByDefault', true); vgo('process'); </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//resources.infolinks.com/js/infolinks_main.js"></script>  <script> (function(){ var s = document.createElement('script'); var h = document.querySelector('head') || document.body; s.src = 'https://acsbapp.com/apps/app/dist/js/app.js'; s.async = true; s.onload = function(){ acsbJS.init({ statementLink : '', footerHtml : '', hideMobile : false, hideTrigger : false, disableBgProcess : false, language : 'en', position : 'left', leadColor : '#336699', triggerColor : '#336699', triggerRadius : '50%', triggerPositionX : 'left', triggerPositionY : 'bottom', triggerIcon : 'wheels', triggerSize : 'medium', triggerOffsetX : 20, triggerOffsetY : 20, mobile : { triggerSize : 'medium', triggerPositionX : 'left', triggerPositionY : 'bottom', triggerOffsetX : 10, triggerOffsetY : 80, triggerRadius : '50%' } }); }; h.appendChild(s); })(); </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_Incapsula_Resource?SWJIYLWA=719d34d31c8e3a6e6fffd425f7e032f3&ns=1&cb=1414856051" async></script></body> </html> <script> /* --Auto Populate commenting fields with Values from Pelcro --NOTE: YOU CANNOT BE LOGGED INTO THE WORDPRESS ADMIN WHEN COMMENTING -- WP OVERRIDES THE PELCRO FUNCTION USERS BY DEFAULT */ document.addEventListener("PelcroUserLoaded", () => { let pelcro_user_name = Pelcro.user.read().name; let pelcro_user_email = Pelcro.user.read().email; if ( pelcro_user_name !== undefined || pelcro_user_name !== null) { document.getElementById("author").value = pelcro_user_name; } if ( pelcro_user_email !== undefined || pelcro_user_email !== null) { document.getElementById("email").value = pelcro_user_email; } }) </script>

CINXE.COM

Action plan for at-risk youth is needed now