Problems Facing Native American Youths. Hearing before the Committee on Indian Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Seventh Congress, Second Session, on Oversight Hearing on Problems Facing Native American Youths (August 1, 2002).

A Senate committee hearing received testimony on the problems of Native American youth and programs addressing those problems. Speakers included representatives of the American Academy of Pediatrics, United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY), Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Oral and written comments and materials focused on Native youth problems with substance abuse, poverty, hopelessness, lack of economic and employment opportunities on reservations, health disparities and unmet health needs, high rates of obesity and diabetes, high rates of motor vehicle injuries and suicide, and high dropout rates. Current programs and initiatives addressing such problems are described, including targeted advertising and public communications strategies to spread the anti-drug message; the BIA's Family and Child Education (FACE) program, which promotes family and parent involvement in children's education from birth to first grade; UNITY programs related to leadership training, youth empowerment, physical fitness, and substance abuse prevention; Native Vision's focus on youth involvement in sports and healthy family lifestyles; and the comprehensive programs of Boys and Girls Clubs and their program involving gang members and "wannabe" gangs. Some private foundations funding such programs are described. Recommendations for further action and federal funding are offered. (SV)