In the nation today, 4.6 million young adults ages 16 to 24 are out of school and unemployed. More than one-third live in poverty. For these young people, commonly referred to as opportunity youth, building skills and gaining work experience are key to upward mobility. However, they face significant barriers to entering the labor market. Meanwhile, federal programs designed to serve opportunity youth in poverty are limited and funding is inadequate. In preparation for a new Congress and updates to federal poverty alleviation initiatives, Jobs for the Future (JFF) developed this brief highlighting how policymakers must ensure that young people as well as adults are accessing appropriate skill development opportunities and support services that lead to family-supporting careers.