Founded in 1961, AED is an independent, nonprofit organization committed to solving critical social problems in the U.S. and throughout the world through education, social marketing, research, training, policy analysis and innovative program design and management.

• Center for Youth Development and Policy Research
  The Center’s mission is to create and strengthen the infrastructures that support positive development for all youth in America.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is responsible for Federal programs that promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals, and communities. ACF oversees and finances a broad range of activities in partnership with state, local and tribal governmental agencies.

• Positive Youth Development
  The youth development approach is predicated on the understanding that all young people need support, guidance, and opportunities during adolescence, a time of rapid growth and change.  With this support, they can develop self-assurance in the four areas that are key to creating a happy, healthy, and successful life: a sense of competence, a sense of usefulness, a sense of belonging, and a sense of power.
• Fact Sheets
  Information on ACF program activities.

The Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) administers the major Federal programs that support: social services that promote the positive growth and development of children and youth and their families; protective services and shelter for children and youth in at-risk situations; child care for working families and families on public assistance; and adoption for children with special needs.

• SMART Moves
  The SMART Moves (Skills Mastery and Resistance Training) prevention/education program addresses the problems of drug and alcohol use and premature sexual activity.
• Cavity-Free Zone
  Underwritten by Crest, Cavity-Free Zone aims to improve the oral health of Club members nationwide. Through oral health educational program materials, a Web site and collaborative efforts with local dental schools, dental societies and other health care agencies, Cavity-Free Zone will be a catalyst for change in providing dental services to disadvantaged youth.
• National Fine Arts Exhibit Program
  Sponsored by L'Oreal, this program, which encourages creativity through a variety of media, is made up of local, regional and national exhibits. Young people are encouraged to create artwork in any of the following categories: monochromatic drawing, multicolored drawing, pastels, water color, oil or acrylic, print making, mixed media, collage and sculpture.
• Sports--Fitness Programs
• Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI)
  Through a collaboration with Major League Baseball, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has expanded or established baseball and fast-pitch softball programs in more than 50 communities nationwide. All RBI leagues incorporate Quick SMART!, a condensed version of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's SMART Moves prevention/education program designed to teach players to avoid alcohol and other drug use and premature sexual involvement.

The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America, incorporated on February 8, 1910, and chartered by Congress in 1916, is to provide an educational program for boys and young adults to build character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to develop personal fitness.  Scouting programs are for boys between the ages of 7 and 20.

Girl Scouts of the USA is the world's pre-eminent organization dedicated solely to girls — all girls — where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.  In partnership with committed adult volunteers, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives, like leadership, strong values, social conscience and conviction about their own potential and self-worth.  Girl Scouting is open to all girls, 5-17.

• Daisy Girl Scout Resources
  One of the five Girl Scout age levels in the United States.  Daisy Girl Scouts are girls who are ages 5-6 or are in kindergarten or first grade.

• Youth Development
  4-H is the Cooperative Extension System's dynamic, non-formal educational program for today's young people. The program combines the cooperative efforts of youth, volunteer leaders, state land-grant universities, state-local governments, and the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service of the US Department of Agriculture. The mission of the Cooperative Extension System in conducting 4-H programs is to assist youth in developing knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive and contributing members of society.
• International
  4-H International programs contribute to understanding among people of the world through assistance, education, exchange and training programs. They stimulate a growing international emphasis within the US 4-H program and serve as a link with similar youth organizations in over 80 countries.

The Junior Achievement Elementary School Program includes seven grade-specific themes for kindergarten through sixth-grade students and one additional experience offered through a limited number of offices. Junior Achievement's program teaches elementary school students the basic concepts of business and economics and shows children how education is relevant to the workplace.

• Child Care
  YMCAs are dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable child care. As the nation's largest provider of child care programs, YMCAs provide family-centered, values-based programs to nurture children's healthy development.
• Family Programs
  YMCAs offer a safe, welcoming environment in which parents and kids can communicate, cooperate and care for each other.
• Community Development Programs
  The Y's community development efforts include alternative schools, gang intervention, family literacy programs, tutoring, substance abuse prevention, job training and employment services, permanent and transitional housing, and much more. They also include such simple steps as linking a child with a baseball coach who cares more about values than winning and understands that kids need to have fun.
• Healthy Kids Day  
  Each spring, YMCAs across the country take part in YMCA Healthy Kids Day. It’s an opportunity for families to spend fun time together while improving their health.
• YMCA Rookies  is a noncompetitive, developmental program for 4- to 7-year-olds that prepares them to participate successfully in YMCA Winners and YMCA Champions.
• YMCA of South Africa 
  The YMCA of South Africa’s programs focus primarily on the education and empowerment of undereducated, unemployed township youth.