What Are People Saying?

Whenever I travel across the country I talk about Connecticut's best in class collaboration. Does that mean that we don't have our challenges? Yes, we do. However, picking up the phone, talking to each other, really trying to figure out how we do this. When you think about housing, child welfare, and supporting families, it's all that entire ecosystem coming together. You recognize you're not in it by yourself but you're in it together.

“My job is to make sure that genius and initiative and drive and commitment gets to grow everywhere. It shouldn’t matter your zip code, it shouldn’t matter the income of your parents. If you want to contribute and have something to give, and you want to succeed and make your community better, we have to remove the obstacles to do that.”

After all, housing is where it all starts, right? And, also with college, that's the other piece, that we provide housing. So, we're trying to go from the little kids all the way up to how we prevent the kids who are out of school, dropping out of college, and not being able to be successful.

"There's an urgent need to engage and work with communities across our state, particularly those that are most disconnected from the economy, and unlock career opportunities for all residents. The Dalio/BCG study provides a clear understanding of why and where residents are detached from the labor market—whether it's access to education, housing, childcare, transportation, or other hurdles—and how Connecticut can best connect and develop meaningful solutions."

"The Dalio Education research report “Connecticut’s Unspoken Crisis” highlights issues that COMPASS Youth Collaborative has dealt with firsthand. The report accurately portrays the barriers faced by the youth we serve.

COMPASS Youth Collaborative interrupts violence in the City of Hartford by building transformative relationships with youth at the center of the violence. Peacebuilders provide youth with the tools they need to change their behavior long-term and transition successfully to adulthood.

In every community, there are youth disconnection from positive networks of support. As community violence continues to rise, we see our youth struggle with generational trauma, food and housing insecurities, lack of quality education, and limited employment opportunities.

The report provides proven strategies for agencies working to help youth transition successfully to adulthood. COMPASS Youth Collaborative is committed to working with Dalio and our partners to build a community where our youth feel safe, live peacefully, and have the opportunity to reach their full potential. We have a responsibility to unite to create viable opportunities for our youth to thrive, not just survive."

"The Dalio Report, Connecticut’s Unspoken Crisis, Getting Young people back on track, is a comprehensive report that everyone should read. All aspects of the community should rally around their recommendations as the implications of not taking action will affect everyone in Connecticut, but especially our youth and their future. The factors used to define at risk and disconnected young people are largely the same factors focused on for juvenile justice reform of youth up to the age of 18. We know that youth in the justice system have largely been involved in and impacted by multiple systems. The Dalio report provides valuable insights into the various impact points for youth and we agree that being at-risk or disconnected is one point in time that should not define them. It was an honor to have been part of their community conversation. We look forward to learning from and working with the Dalio Foundation as they move forward with the areas of inquiry they identified and how multiple systems can come together to support their recommendations so that our youth have the opportunity to get back on track and be successful in their future."

I started at 14 through the OPP program (Our Piece of the Pie). They helped me throughout literally my whole life growing up. A few of the YDS's came to my high school graduation.

“In the face of Connecticut’s crisis on disconnected youth, I am eager to embark on this work alongside my fellow Commission members with the belief that change begins when we empower every young person with the tools to build their own future.”

The failed systems affect all of us, no matter where we are and we have to understand that these systems interact with each other. You have education and housing, those are interconnected and they cannot be separated when we think about the harm. Participatory action research is just giving them more of a structure in which to show up at these tables that say we need data, we need metrics, and say, "Boom, here it is, you have your data, you have your metrics, and now can we talk about what needs to happen next?"

"Hartford is full of young people with limitless potential, but so many of our kids are disconnected from school or a good job. No young people in this state should be blocked off from opportunity and the chance to build a better life for themselves, their families, and their neighborhoods. As a state, public and private partners have a responsibility to get them back on track and make sure they can achieve the great things they are capable of."

"Tackling the crisis of disconnected youth requires collaboration across sectors – government, education, businesses, and nonprofits – to create a unified strategy that addresses the unique needs of our youth and ensures no one is left behind."

I think we are in the right time with the right infrastructure to really talk about and put money and resources behind prevention. We are encouraged to work together. It was enlightening to hear DMHAS and CSSD talk.

"A statewide approach is essential to break down systemic barriers and create pathways for success, allowing every young person to connect to the opportunities that will shape their lives and, in turn, strengthen our communities."

“Unless we shine a bright light on the crisis of disconnection affecting young people across Connecticut, we won’t be able to solve it – and that’s why this report is so important. When we do hear about this crisis, it’s generally in a news report that doesn’t recognize the systemic issues in government, the non-profit sector, and in our communities that are at play. I’m grateful to Dalio Education for commissioning this important report, and I hope it helps focus our state on compassionate, evidence-based solutions that can help all young people in our state succeed. Domus values the careful analysis of this important research. Having worked with this specific group of youth for decades, Domus’s highly trained program staff have continued to encounter overlapping challenges to serving this growing population both in Stamford and through various regional support programs."

"Investing in our disconnected youth is an investment in Connecticut's future – a future where every young person has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to the prosperity of our state."

"The Dalio Education Foundation report, CONNECTICUT’S UNSPOKEN CRISIS, Getting young people back on track, A study of Connecticut’s at-risk and disconnected young people, is a confirmation of what municipal leaders are experiencing first hand. More of our youth are at risk of disconnection now than in anyone's memory. We cannot allow this study to be placed on a shelf to gather dust. We cannot afford to give up on a single child."

"With the rise in anxiety, depression, and disconnection among our youth, the ‘CT Unspoken Crisis Report,’ shines a light on the urgency of addressing this crisis comprehensively and with data-driven solutions. As Mayor of the City of Stamford, I stand ready to work with local and state officials to ensure we enact policies to support our youth. I’m grateful to Dalio Education for their investment and prioritization of this important issue."

"The Unspoken Crisis report is crucial because it helps us understand and tackle the problems faced by young people in Connecticut who are not in school or employed. By figuring out these challenges for those aged 16 to 24, we can support their personal growth, independence, and open doors to meaningful opportunities in life."

"Homelessness has a profound effect on our youth. When young people do not have access to safe and stable housing, they face immense difficulties in creating the pathways necessary for that same safety and stability into adulthood. Often, youth homelessness is invisible and we are enormously appreciative of the work of Dalio Education, and so many other partners, in the identification and connection to meaningful services of this vulnerable population. We look forward to working together in this effort and towards our shared vision of a state where no one, including our young people, should have to experience the trauma of homelessness."

“CCM’s 119K Commission will seek to tackle the challenge of disconnected youth in Connecticut through the creation of a statewide strategy that engages members of the public and experts. This strategy will not just be a tool for change, but an essential framework to systematically address and overcome this crisis.”

"Reconnecting our youth means investing and prioritizing public education, and reimagining educational to employment trajectories. I want to thank Dalio Education for illuminating much needed attention to this unspoken crisis."

We have memorandums of agreement for those youth who may need continued support around mental health issues when they turn 18.

“The young people living in our communities are the future of our communities. It is very concerning that in our state there are almost 120,000 young people who are either at-risk, or already disconnected from the various communities.  Here in North Haven, we have learned that 17% of our young people were disconnected from school or the workforce. Additionally, it has been identified that 18% of our students may be at risk of not graduating. North Haven is committed to helping our young people, and I thank Dalio Education for collaborating with us Chief Elected Officials across the state to identify this problem and to join in helping solve this important issue.”

"Connecticut has no time to lose. According to the new report, Connecticut’s Unspoken Crisis, from Boston Consulting Group and Dalio Education, one in five Connecticut youth are at-risk of or have already disconnected from school or work.

The situation described is staggering: 119,000 young people aged 18-26 in Connecticut who, instead of launching their educational or work lives, are experiencing intense poverty with little to no visible path toward a different future. This crisis, coupled with the talent needs of Connecticut’s business and industry sector — where more than 90,000 job openings remain unfilled — highlights the urgency of public and private investment in young people as a much-needed way to support Connecticut’s economy, workforce and quality of life."

“Dalio Education’s new report reinforces our belief that we can accomplish more by working together with families, advocates, and elected officials than by acting alone."

“The research and awareness from the Dalio Education report, Connecticut's Unspoken Crisis, is a stepping stone into action for the immense work deeply needed to support Connecticut’s at-risk and disconnected youth. As the Executive Director of Waterbury Promise, I advocate and inspire our young people daily to stay on track. I applaud Dalio Education for their continued efforts to dismantle these barriers for at-risk and disconnected youth in education, our communities, and our state.”

United Way of Connecticut applauds Dalio Education and their partners for sounding the alarm on the unspoken crisis affecting at-risk and disconnected young people. Their report, consistent with our 2023 ALICE Report, indicates the hardship faced by individuals and households in Connecticut that is often misunderstood and rarely addressed. Like ALICE, at-risk and disconnected young people can be found in every municipality in Connecticut, and are disproportionately young people of color impacted by racism, poverty, and trauma, representing a growing number of Connecticut’s youth. The prosperity of our entire state is tied to the success of these young people, as well as those households who live paycheck to paycheck. With hope, options for getting ahead and tangible solutions we reap the benefits of action. As the report indicates, it’s up to us to decide.

"The findings of this report are concerning, but they also represent an opportunity for us to come together as a community and make a real difference in the lives of disconnected and at-risk youth in Norwalk and across Connecticut. Our city is committed to providing the necessary support and resources to help these young people overcome challenges and become successful. I want to thank the Dalio Foundation for highlighting this important issue. In partnership with our schools, community providers, and local and state leaders, we can create a brighter future for our youth and ensure they have the tools they need to thrive."

“The Village is grateful to Dalio Education and the Connecticut Opportunity Project for focusing on Connecticut’s at-risk and disconnected young people – and the organizations which serve them. It is my profound hope that this report marks the beginning, not the end, of our collective effort to harness the potential of our young people who are struggling.  The Village has been committed to this work for more than 200 years. While incredible progress has been made, far too many young people in Connecticut still face trauma and neglect. This report should be a call to action.”

The research highlighted in Connecticut’s Unspoken Crisis is a call to action, providing clear data illuminating the crisis of disconnected youth, the circumstances and risk factors contributing to disconnection, and an opportunity for stakeholders locally, regionally, and across the state to come together and work collaboratively to ensure all young people thrive.

"Connecticut's youth are the architects of our future. A statewide strategy provides the blueprint to dismantle barriers, creating an environment where all young people can thrive, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to our communities."

No matter what it is that we do in CSSDE, it's about reducing risk.

We decrease the amount of kids that are coming through the system, and that's a good thing, right? We just introduced risk-based case handling last year so we can divert more cases to juvenile review.

It's about all the stories you heard here about the people that are in a better place because of the work that you, your colleagues, and the other folks working with all the kids and the families do each and every day.

"The crisis outlined in the Unspoken Crisis report speaks true to the challenges many young people face today, not just in Danbury but across our state. Young people lacking the skills needed to fill jobs, chronic absenteeism, and more must be addressed not just for our kids’ future, but for the future of Connecticut. We’re working to address these issues locally, but the reality is that a statewide problem demands a statewide solution, and we are looking forward to continuing to work with Dalio Education to build a coalition to end this crisis.?

“While the challenges of disconnected youth are not unique to Connecticut, this report is important because it outlines how we can best use our state’s unique strengths to address this pressing problem.”

“The Partnership for Strong Communities commends the Dalio Education's release of "Connecticut's Unspoken Crisis: Getting Young People Back on Track." The report sheds light on the "invisible" crisis that young people in Connecticut face when they become disconnected from services. It provides recommendations on how to mitigate and address the challenges disconnected youth face, especially those who are experiencing housing instability and homelessness. We know that access to safe, stable, and affordable housing is one of the critical wraparound services to help at-risk youth achieve stability, and we applaud the inclusion of housing intervention in the final report.”

"The issue of disconnected youth is not new to Connecticut educators, who for years have been sounding the alarm about the additional resources needed to help them support, engage, and improve outcomes for these students. This report brings the issue to the forefront and highlights the critical importance of our public community schools, which take a multi-faceted approach to dealing with the wide and diverse needs of our disconnected young people."

“Dalio Education’s Unspoken Crisis Report, FCCF's Building Tomorrow's Workforce and other recent research contain the blueprints for creating new achievement pathways that will change the trajectories — and lives — of thousands of CT and Fairfield County youth. And, by doing so, we can also improve the fortunes of regional businesses and our state economy. Getting there will take coordinated efforts and investments from businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions and individuals. So, the question now isn’t how to do it. The question is: do we have the will to make it happen?"

"When I read the Dalio report on Connecticut’s Unspoken Crisis, I connected with it right away. The Urban League’s Youth Pathways program works with 16-21 year old youth and young adults, many of whom are at-risk and disconnected, to help them find a path to complete their academic credentials and obtain employment. We do the same with justice involved 18-24 years olds. With systemic barriers and institutionalized disparities historically dejecting BIPOC youth, this study draws attention to solutions that can help all communities impacted. As a comprehensive direct service organization the study’s 5th and 9th solutions— significantly strengthen the capacity of organizations and Invest in strengthening pathways from disconnection to employment— give hope."

"The Unspoken Crisis report from Dalio Education is both an urgent challenge and a welcome blessing to communities like Middletown. The challenge is to tackle the incredibly complex and multifaceted challenges facing young people in meaningful ways. The blessing is to know that leaders like Barbara Dalio have stepped forward to produce a report that can serve as a blueprint for building resilient, compassionate communities that produce resilient, compassionate kids and families.

A crisis cannot be confronted effectively until it is understood, and it cannot be understood until it is spoken about -- and heard -- by those in a position to make change. I am personally grateful for the efforts by Dalio to make this the priority it must be for leaders and policymakers in our state, and Middletown is proud to be a partner in this work."

“During a time when more youth are out of school and out of jobs, the work of the Dalio Education and those involved in producing this important report could not be more timely. It is clear from this report that all municipalities and schools districts still have work to do to get our youth back on track and back in the classroom. The data in this report sets a foundation for Town and Cities and can be used as a tool when developing important strategies and plans to addressing this crisis. On behalf of the Town of East Hartford we support the work and the findings of this report.”

The Community Health Center Association of CT (CHCACT) thanks the Dalio Education for conducting this comprehensive study of Connecticut’s youth. The results are startling, and they bring home the need to think differently about how to provide services for young people, both in school and in the community. Community Health Centers pledge to be a critical part of this work. We are embedded in our communities, providing high-quality health care, connections to needed resources, and also jobs to thousands of CT residents. Based on the findings of this report, health centers will continue our efforts to partner with schools and other community-based organizations to help this generation succeed now, to make a better future for our communities.

“Our Piece of the Pie, Inc. (OPP) values the opportunity to partner with Boston Consulting Group on the production of this report and is fully supportive of the results and findings of the work. The report highlights the issues facing our young people and serves to quantify much of what OPP has experienced working with youth throughout the COVID crisis and beyond. The numbers of disconnected and at-risk students in Connecticut have increased and with 53% of Hartford students being at risk of not graduating high school and 42% of Hartford’s young people being disconnected from education or the workforce, our work, together with other partners in the field, is vital. We look forward to continuing to work with Dalio Education and other partners. Helping youth to get back on track will have a significant impact on CT’s economy, boosting fiscal performance, filling unmet labor needs and most significantly, improving the lives of young people now and for the future – helping to break the cycle.”

“This report is an important call to action to catch the cascade of youth who fall through the cracks of the different systems set up to help them succeed. It should set off alarm bells that if we continue on this path in our failure to reconnect our vulnerable youth to school or employment, the dismal outcomes that we see will be perpetuated. Having worked in this field for a long time, this is the first report I have seen which doesn't segment youth from adults but takes the important step of focusing on the continuum of young people from age 14 to 26."

“Connecticut Foodshare supports individuals and families across Connecticut by addressing root causes of food insecurity, creating long-term solutions, and distributing nutritious food. For us, the most important piece of this research is that this crisis is impacting every single town and city in our state. This is something we are seeing through our work every day. The unspoken crisis is not a city problem or a rural problem, it's a Connecticut problem and any solution put forward to fix it must acknowledge the breadth of its impacts.”

“For almost 15 years the number of juveniles and young adults under age 26 committing crimes and becoming involved in the criminal justice system has steadily declined. This extensive study demonstrates, for the first time in Connecticut, the direct correlation between ‘disconnected” children and young adults and their propensity to commit crimes. Armed with this insight, Connecticut should focus on crime prevention by addressing the needs of ‘at risk’ and ‘disconnected’ young people.”

The findings of the report are alarming. This group of individuals are an untapped resource for the State of Connecticut. Our educational system needs to implement rigorous interventions to increase efficacy and support other agencies in helping all to meet their potential.

From the report commissioned by Dalio Education it is clear that this crisis facing Connecticut youth will not go away on its own — action must be taken. Here in New London, despite the work of city agencies and nonprofits we see impacts of it every day. Over the coming years, I hope to see additional resources allocated to this crisis so we can all work together to take this crisis head on.

When one out of every three kids in Connecticut are at-risk of not graduating from high school, that’s cause for a five-alarm fire. Someday, we may be asked by our children or grandchildren what we did to help a disconnected generation re-engage with learning and launch fulfilling careers. This report helpfully diagnoses the problem in our state and proposes a number of solutions, including strengthened pathways to employment and investments tackling absenteeism. Though there is lots of work that lies ahead, I know Connecticut’s youngest generation is counting on all of us to step up for them.

"We cannot afford to ignore the challenges faced by our young people. Supporting programs that address the root causes of disconnection, such as poverty and trauma, can create a stronger, more resilient community.”

The groundbreaking research commissioned by Dalio Education is a beacon of awareness, illuminating the stark reality faced by 119,000 young adults in Connecticut. As Carver's CEO, I attest to the transformative power of Dalio Education’s many contributions to the state such as this vital report. When more people understand the depth of this crisis, compassion is awakened, and a collective commitment to action emerges. This report’s findings not only reveal the challenges but also ignite a call to arms—because when more people know, more people care, and more people act. Together, we can shape a brighter future for our youth and our community.

“Forge City Works wholeheartedly endorses the Dalio Education research report, "Connecticut's Unspoken Crisis," as it sheds much-needed light on the ongoing challenges faced by our state's youth.

This report effectively highlights the persistent crisis these young individuals confront daily and aligns fully with our own experiences working closely with this population. Our culinary job training program at Forge City Works has allowed us to witness firsthand the critical circumstances that many of Connecticut's youth find themselves in. The proposed solutions presented in this report mirror the very strategies we have implemented within our program. These approaches can have a profound impact on the lives of the youth we serve, providing them with valuable skills and a pathway to a brighter future.

The research's comprehensive analysis of the challenges facing our youth, from education gaps to economic disparities, reinforces the urgent need for collective action. Forge City Works firmly believes that by working together and adopting the proven solutions outlined in this report, we can pave the way for a more prosperous future for Connecticut's young generation.”

“Dalio Education’s Connecticut’s Unspoken Crisis: Getting Young People Back on Track report takes a critical, much needed look at the experiences and challenges of Connecticut’s young people. This report makes it clear that this statewide crisis impacts every area of our communities and underscores that having access to safe, stable and affordable housing has a direct impact on educational outcomes. Connecticut’s young people need access to housing options that meet their needs in order to thrive and build happy and healthy communities. The future of our state depends on it.” 

According to the report, titled “Connecticut’s Unspoken Crisis: Getting Young People Back on Track,” of this specific at-risk population, 63,000 were described as “disconnected” or “severely disconnected” with limited connection to education systems and employment opportunities, including many who are unemployed or have not attained a high school diploma or equivalent.

"The Chamber is committed to being a promoter of economic growth that is shared and inclusive. We are proud to be a convenor of businesses who are addressing workforce shortages by creating new talent pipelines and career awareness across fields. While the issue of disconnected and at-risk youth is not new, the Dalio Education study brings the opportunity for more awareness and to foster innovative ideas on how we, the business community, can work to support these youth by engaging them with meaningful careers and purposeful connections. We are committed to being intentional in our initiatives to include these youth, especially within our workforce development efforts."

"Connecticut’s Unspoken Crisis: Getting Young People Back on Track, a Study of Connecticut’s At-Risk and Disconnected Young People," finds that, in 2022, 63,000 young people were disconnected, and 56,000 high school students were at risk of not graduating. The study found one in three high schoolers were at risk of not graduating, driven by a spike in absenteeism of 97 percent between 2017 and 2022.

For the first time, the report quantifies correlations between specific risk factors and outcomes across the entire state. For example, young people aged 14-17 who received services from the state’s child welfare agency were 2.3 times more likely to ever be disconnected than young people who did not. Further, the report found that multiple risk factors compound the likelihood of disconnection, emphasizing the need for comprehensive interventions.

“Identifying the problem is the first step to identifying solutions for Opportunity Youth,” said Dr. Mary Ann (Mimi) Haley, executive director of the National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC) and former leader of the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness. “With the interest in data and system-building the creation of this report represents, Connecticut is closer to a statewide strategy for ending chronic youth disconnection.”

Addressing disconnection offers economic rewards, for young people and Connecticut: reconnecting young people could boost Connecticut's gross domestic product by $5 billion, generate tax revenue of $300 million from newly wage-earning young people, and decrease government spending on social services by at least $350 million, the report finds.

“NYEC has long called for efforts to design systems that work for young people, with young people,” said Dr. Haley. “As Congress debates changes to and funding for federal job-training programs, we need more data like those found in ‘Connecticut’s Unspoken Crisis: Getting Young People Back on Track,’ that make a compelling case for addressing the holistic needs of young people.”