2025 American Youth Policy Forum, Powered by CDF Thursday Agenda

Thursday, November 6

8:15 – 9:00 a.m. ET

Registration & Breakfast

9:30 – 10:45 a.m. ET

Opening Plenary

Dreaming of Home: Youth Voice, Immigration, and Change


Cristina Jiménez, co-founder of United We Dream, MacArthur Fellow, and best-selling author of Dreaming of Home, will deliver a keynote address. Jiménez will reflect on her journey as an organizer in the movement of DREAMers and for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Sharing insights from her book, Jimenez will highlight the impact of youth in policy debates and shine light on bipartisan support for a permanent solution in Congress, at a time when increased deportation efforts threaten DACA recipients.

11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET

Morning Breakout Sessions

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. ET

Networking Lunch

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. ET

Closing Plenary

Thrive: A Better Future for Adolescents and All Children


Lisa M. Lawson, president and CEO of the Annie E. Casey Foundation and author of “Thrive,” will deliver the afternoon plenary keynote. Drawing on advances in adolescent brain science, her experience in philanthropic leadership, and Annie E. Casey Foundation’s data on child well-being, she will emphasize the vital role that stable relationships, meaningful opportunities, and strong support play in helping young people thrive.