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Fish and Wildlife Service

The Partnership for the National Trails System proposes to provide the services detailed below for the National Trails System community of Federal trail managers and nonprofit organization staff and volunteers during Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017. These services provide information exchange and training to better enable these public and private partners to carry out their conservation mission of developing, preserving, interpreting, and sustaining the 30 National Scenic and Historic Trails authorized by Congress. Segments of these National Trails pass thru 70 National Wildlife Refuges allowing visitors to better experience and appreciate the conservation of plants and animals provided by these refuges. Funding from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and other Federal agencies will enable the Partnership to provide these services. 1) "PATHWAYS Across America" - $10,000 for 2016; $10,000 for 2017 The Partnership s Communications Coordinator will continue to produce 4 quarterly issues of PATHWAYS Across America that will be mailed to about 2400 Federal and State agency staff and nonprofit trail organization leaders involved in sustaining the 30 national scenic and historic trails. The Winter issue each year will be expanded to 20 pages to include a year-end report of accomplishments for each trail. The PATHWAYS issues will all be posted on the Partnership s website www.pnts.org. The Partnership's Outreach and Youth Programs Coordinator will continue to upgrade our website and keep it fresh with current news and activities. She also will continue to prepare a monthly E-News to be distributed electronically to more than 600 National Trails System leaders and staff, and will continue to manage several social media programs focused on engaging younger people with the national scenic and historic trails. 2) NATIONAL SCENIC AND HISTORIC TRAILS WORKSHOPS - $10,000 for 2016 During 2016 Partnership staff will work with staff and volunteers from the Oregon - California Trails Association to provide a Training Workshop for National Historic Trail leaders and Federal trail managers and with staff from the Florida and Pacific Crest Trails Associations to provide a Training Workshop for National Scenic Trail leaders and Federal trail managers. As in our previous conferences and workshops from 2009 on we will bring young Trail Apprentices to participate in these workshops using funding provided by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and other Federal agencies. The Trail Apprentices will be encouraged to give presentations about work they are doing to benefit trails. Workshop presentations will focus on ways to protect trail lands, to involve minority youth to increase the diversity of people using and helping to sustain the national trails, and programs to strengthen involvement of communities along the national trails; projects developing historic "retracement trails" in urban areas, and the latest developments in GIS technology for mapping trails and various other electronic means of interpreting trail resources and features. We will begin in Autumn of 2016 to plan for our 16th Conference on National Scenic and Historic Trails to be held in 2018 for trail organization leaders and Federal agency staff. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will not be asked to sponsor this Conference but will be invited to participate in planning and attending it. 3) IMPLEMENT DECADE FOR NATIONAL TRAILS GOAL #1 -$2,500 for 2016; $6,700 for 2017; Partnership staff has begun preliminary planning with staff from The American Hiking Society, American Trails, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and Federal trail managers to prepare for the 50th Anniversary of the National Trails System in 2018. The planning will continue through 2016 and into 2017 with some activities, events, and programs beginning in 2017 and extending thru 2018. Much of the focus will be on increasing awareness and use of trails by all Americans with special emphasis on involving minority populations and community based activities. To that end Partnership staff will participate in the International Trails Symposium in May 2017 to help inform the various components of the American trails community about the significance of the 50th Anniversary and engage them in helping to increase resources to sustain the trails. 4) IMPLEMENT DECADE FOR NATIONAL TRAILS GOAL #2 - $3,500 for 2016; $8,200 for 2017; To continue implementing the protection of national trail lands and resources (Decade Goal 2) Partnership staff will continue to help staff from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management and trail organization leaders prepare proposals of land acquisition projects to be included in the President's FY 2018 and 2019 Budgets. This work has been done in each of the past four years within the interagency Collaborative Landscape Planning initiative. This work has resulted in Congress appropriating from the Land & Water Conservation Fund $28 million for FY 2015 to acquire land along 12 national scenic and historic trails and $20.865 million for FY 2016 to acquire land along 8 of these trails including several projects within National Wildlife Refuges traversed by national scenic or historic trails. A number of the projects have been included in the President's FY 2017 Budget for funding by Congress. 5) IMPLEMENT DECADE FOR NATIONAL TRAILS GOAL #3 - $4,000 for 2016; $5,100 for 2017; To help Increase the Capacity of the Trail Organizations and Federal Agencies to Sustain the National Trails (Decade Goal 3) experienced people will brought to the National Scenic and Historic Trails Workshops to give presentations on successful fund raising techniques and practices and for developing effective boards of directors for nonprofit organizations, on effective ways to map, protect, and acquire trail lands, and how to engage young people, especially minorities, to participate in our national trails and trail organizations. The Partnership's Outreach and Youth Programs Coordinator will prepare a series of training webinars to be provided for trail organization leaders and staff and Federal trail managers beginning in the Autumn of 2016. Webinar topics will likely include best practices in trail land protection, effective fund raising for nonprofit organizations, training and management of volunteers, successful approaches to engaging and involving youth, and new Federal agency policies, such as the U.S. Forest Service Saw Use Policy. Nonprofit organization leaders, staff and Federal agency staff will be surveyed to determine which topics are most pertinent and helpful to them. Authorizing statues include Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1934 (16 U.S.C. 2901-2911); Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742(a)-754); Refuge Recreation Act of 1962 (16 U.S.C. 460k-460k(4)); National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd); Youth Conservation Corps Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1701-1706); Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (16 U.S.C. 470aa-47011); The National Wildlife Refuge System Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-57); National Wildlife Refuge System Volunteer and Community Partnership Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-327); Federal Aid for Highways, HR 4348 (23 U.S.C. 201-204 and 206, Public Law 112-141).

Community Oriented Policing Services

CHP provides funding directly to law enforcement agencies to hire and/or rehire career law enforcement officers in an effort to increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. 2016 CHP grants will cover up to 75 percent of the approved entry-level salary and fringe benefits of each newly-hired and/or rehired, full-time sworn career law enforcement officer over the three-year (36 months) grant period, with a minimum 25 percent local cash match requirement and a maximum federal share of $125,000 per officer position. CHP grant funding will be based on your agency s current entry-level salary and fringe benefits for full-time sworn officers; any additional costs for higher than entry-level salaries and fringe benefits will be the responsibility of the grantee agency. All agencies requests will be capped at no more than five percent of their actual sworn force strength as reported at the time of updated application, up to a maximum of 25 officers. Agencies with a service population of 1 million or above may apply for up to 25 officer positions; agencies with a service population less than 1 million may apply for up to 15 officer positions. [The request of any agency with a sworn force less than or equal to 20 will be capped at one officer.] Funding under this program may be used to: Hire new officers, which includes filling existing officer vacancies that are no longer funded in your agency s budget. Rehire officers who have already been laid off from any jurisdiction as a result of state, local, or Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) budget reductions. The rehired officers must be rehired on or after the official grant award start date as it appears on your agency s award document. Documentation must be maintained showing the dates that the positions were laid off and rehired. Rehire officers who are (at the time of application) currently scheduled to be laid off by your jurisdiction on a specific future date as a result of state, local, or BIA budget reductions. Grantees will be required to continue funding the positions with local funding until the dates of the scheduled lay-offs. The dates of the scheduled lay-offs and the number of positions affected must be identified in the CHP application. CHP grants can be used to hire and or rehire School Resource Officers. Please note that the COPS Office requires that the officer(s) deployed into the SRO position(s) spend a minimum of 75 percent of their time in and around primary and/or secondary schools, working on youth-related activities. The time commitment of the funded officers must be above and beyond the amount of time that the agency devoted to the schools before receiving the grant. There must be an increase in the level of community policing activities performed in and around primary or secondary schools in the agency s jurisdiction as a result of the grant.

Covenant House

Funds programs serving homeless and trafficked youth with housing, education, and services.

National Park Service

Youth Engagement and Development Program. The project objective is to support and stimulate work, education and training opportunities for a young participant in assisting Cowpens National Battlefield with interpretation and visitor services.

Fish and Wildlife Service

The Urban Oases program in New Haven, CT will create a replicable model for community-based wildlife conservation that engages new and diverse audiences, increases the availability of quality habitat in urban areas for migrating birds and other wildlife, and supports the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Wildlife Refuge System. Using a combination of community-based land stewardship, demonstration gardens, citizen science, youth employment/green jobs training, and innovative environmental education programs, wildlife management techniques, and natural history interpretation, we will create a network of wildlife-friendly habitat oases and habitat improvements in municipal parks, schoolyards, vacant lots, and front yards, and in units of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge.

National Park Service

Develop a program involving cooperative efforts in cultural and natural resource conservation related to projects such as trail development and maintenance, historic, cultural and native habitat restoration and rehabilitation; Promote and stimulate public purposes such as education, job training, development of responsible citizenship, productive community involvement and furthering the understanding and appreciation of natural and cultural resources through the involvement of youth and young adults in the care and enhancement of public resources; Continue the longstanding efforts of the NPS to provide opportunities for public service, youth employment, minority youth development and training, and participation of young adults in accomplishing conservation-related work.

National Park Service

Initiate an internship that will perform the following among other tasks: Assist with a National Park Service initiative to make available spatial data about historic structures to all national park managers and to other federal land managers within the Department of Interior, as appropriate. Convert existing List of Classified Structures spatial data into the new NPS CR Spatial Data Transfer Standards using ArcGIS 10. Edit converted GIS data for accuracy within the data model. Capture new historic structure line and polygon boundaries in GIS, compliant with the new NPS CR Spatial Data Transfer Standards. Create educational materials for the engagement of youth and a variety of users about cultural landscapes and their preservation, including illustrated tours and maps. Project graphic support for the PWR Alternative Transportation Program Manager Assist the Chair of the PCLP Public Face Work Group in the coordination of meetings, identifying goals, and management of group projects.

National Park Service

This project aims to put America s youth to work by protecting, restoring, and enhancing America s great outdoors and communities through service, training, education and employment opportunities. Established in 1986, LACC is well versed with youth work development projects that promotes education, provides job training, and inspires responsible citizenship through productive community involvement. Together, Manzanar National Historic Site and LACC will work to increase the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of natural resources and cultural resources in the national parks. LACC has a unique combination of experience and knowledge of youth service work, conservation work, restoration practices, community outreach, and management of student personnel for resource management work that is suitable for the needs and goals of this project. LACC project management and technical expertise complements rather than duplicates NPS expertise. The goal is to increase effectiveness of youth service work to be performed under this task agreement. Both parties share a mutual interest in the involvement of underserved diverse youth in the care and enhancement of cultural and natural resources, providing educational work experience, assisting with the development of responsible citizenship and productive community involvement A. Project Objectives LACC staff and youth crews, in a collaborative effort, will help Manzanar National Historic Site with cultural and natural resource preservation and rehabilitation projects. Personnel from LACC and NPS will collaborate to involve underserved diverse youth in the care and enhancement of natural and cultural resources, providing educational work experience, assisting with the development of responsible citizenship and productive community involvement. The project assists in the promotion, facilitation, and improvement of peoples understanding of cultural, natural, recreational and other aspects of the NPS. Personnel from LACC and NPS will collaborate to benefit the people of the United States and future generations to care for and enjoy the natural and cultural resources of Manzanar National Historic Site. LACC and NPS will work together to plan, coordinate, and implement an integrated youth work-experience program. LACC and NPS are committed to providing diverse youth with a safe and rewarding outdoor work experience, while presenting educational components for each hands-on training work assignment.

National Park Service

: Youth engaged in the summer youth employment program ( summer crew ) will be completing 10 16 week cultural landscape preservation internships at three different national parks: Saugus Ironworks NHS, National Parks of Boston Boston Harbor Islands NRA, and John Muir NHS. Youth engaged in the summer youth employment program ( crew leaders ) will be mentoring YCC employees at six different national parks: National Parks of Boston Charlestown Navy Yard, Adams NHP, Sagamore Hill NHS, National Parks of Boston Boston Harbor Islands NRA, Minute Man NHP, and Salem Maritime NHS. Youth engaged in the school year program will work part-time to develop and implement landscape experiences for community youth. In addition, school year youth will work alongside preservation staff to accomplish resource management projects at Adams NHP, Minute Man NHP, Longfellow NHS, National Parks of Boston Boston Harbor Islands NRA, Statue of Liberty Ellis Island NM, Gateway NRA, and Sagamore Hill NHS.

National Park Service

to engage a youth participant in support of education, outreach, and youth programming efforts at Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation

National Park Service

The intern will be trained in various program activities through the following activities: Create a website for Park Historic Structures in the NPS Content Management System Create references for historic structures reports and cultural landscape inventories, reports and management plans on the NPS Data Store (IRMA), and upload completed documents suitable for public visibility Chair the PCLP Public Face Work Group by coordinating meetings, identifying goals, and managing group projects. Sustain the Centennial web presence of the Park Cultural Landscapes Program (PCLP) for the public through the new Content Management System website and these social media: Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram, Flickr, YouTube and Twitter. Create NPS Centennial educational outreach materials for the public, the engagement of youth and a variety of users about cultural landscapes and their preservation, including illustrated stories, photographic tours, video portraits and story maps. Format educational materials as web content for staff training and public education.

National Park Service

Positions within the Cultural Resources, Partnerships, and Science Directorate: Tribal Relations & American Cultures, Museum Management Program, Park History, Technical Preservation Services Cultural Resources Office of Interpretation and Education, Youth Programs and Telling All American Stories: Working with National Park Service staff, assists with digital interpretation efforts related to expanding the stories on the Telling All American Stories website (https://www.nps.gov/subjects/tellingallamericansstories/index.htm) and related materials. Additional duties to include working with the Cultural Resources youth programs coordinator on organizing internship program materials and planning for summer programs for college and graduate level interns. (400 hours) Cultural Resources Office of Interpretation and Education, Teaching with Historic Places: Working with National Park Service staff, the intern assists in producing Teaching with Historic Places classroom lesson plans, such as the Lightning Lessons, and other education resources for the NPS website (see: http://www.nps.gov/subjects/teachingwithhistoricplaces/). Duties include research, writing, and editing to develop history education materials; writing social media content; and supporting other projects as a member of the CR Office of Interpretation & Education. Prior experience communicating history to the public is preferred. A strong background in American history, archeology, middle or high school education, social studies education, historic preservation, public history, or a related field is required. (2 positions at 400 hours) Tribal Historic Preservation Program: Cultural Resources Office of Tribal Relations and American Cultures: Tribal Historic Preservation Program Support/Specialist Internship. Working with NPS staff, the intern will support the Tribal Historic Preservation Program by assisting with tracking partnership applications, as well as providing grant and review support to 169 approved THPO Partnership Programs. Duties will include reviewing and approving annual plans of work, processing and aggregating Grant Product Summary forms, document tracking/filing, and serving as a point of contact between the Tribal Historic Preservation Program and grantees, potential grantees, and other NPS programs that support THPOs. Additional duties may include producing a database of the historic preservation responsibilities that each tribal program has assumed from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and tracking, reviewing, and drafting responses to incoming Tribal Historic Preservation Officer inquiries and program plans for review and approval by Program Staff. Experience in one or more of the following fields is required: Anthropology, Native American/Indigenous Studies, History, or Public Administration (or a related field). Other required skills include: knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, experience with file or database management, and strong written communication and editing skills. The ability to work independently with minimal supervision is also desirable. (400 hours). Tribal Relations and American Cultures, Anthropology Program: Archives Assistant: Assists the NPS Bureau Cultural Anthropologist and the NPS American Indian Liaison with processing records related to the American Indian Liaison Office and the Servicewide Cultural Anthropology Program. Duties include appraising and arranging both paper and digital records, spanning several years of program work, according to professional standards and using archival techniques. Archives Assistant will create finding aids and a digital filing plan and may pack and send materials to the National Archives. Other duties may include uploading completed reports to central digital databases and websites. Museum studies, archives management, or digital preservation background preferred. Interest in anthropology and/or Native American Studies welcome. Located in Washington, DC. (400 hours) Park NAGPRA Program: Assists with a variety of tasks related to NPS compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). As needed, duties may include maintaining/updating Park NAGPRA s database; maintaining/updating Park NAGPRA s intranet websites; assisting with NAGPRA training sessions, both face-to-face and online; reviewing NAGPRA notices for accuracy; organizing and filing NAGPRA records; and taking notes during calls/meetings. Strong computer skills required, including proficiency with MS Office and experience working with websites and databases. Experience with Google Sites, SharePoint, and MS Access is preferred. Located in the Park NAGPRA program office in Lakewood, CO. (400 hours) Park History Program: Works with the Park History Program on a variety of research and outreach projects. They include conducting research for the Park History Program and individual National Park Service units and programs; creating short audio and video productions based on NPS oral history interviews; writing content for Park History Website and social media; helping with maritime grants administration; and participation in ongoing oral history training and interviews. Research may be conducted at the National Archives and the Library of Congress. Topics of immediate interest to program staff include maritime history of the U.S., Civil War to Civil Rights, and the history of the NPS itself. Students with a major or concentration in history, public history, American studies, or anthropology are particularly well suited for our program (2 internships at 400 hours each). Museum Management Program: This intern would work on updating the Army Corp of Engineers Mandatory Center for Expertise survey information pertaining to NPS collections in non-federal repositories. The intern would work with museum staff in WASO and each region to verify the information that was gathered pertaining to NPS collections in these facilities. (700 hours) Technical Preservation Services: Primary duties: Assists TPS staff with management of project files and resource materials for the Rehabilitation Tax Incentives Program and related technical preservation assistance initiatives. Duties include organizing and preparing files for disposition to the National Archives and Records Administration, following procedures required under the Federal Records Act and NARA regulations. Other duties include organization and maintenance of an office library collection containing books and other materials on technical preservation topics. Library duties will include a substantial amount of cataloging. Secondary duties: Assists with the implementation of a database of scanned images of historic properties and historic preservation projects and treatments, drawn largely from ongoing or completed rehabilitation projects reviewed by the Tax Incentives Program. Duties include scanning images and entering thorough descriptions and metadata for each image file, contacting image owners for permission to publish when necessary, and ensuring that the information attached to each image meets all Federal requirements for future web or print publications. In addition, intern will assist, as needed, with the administration of the Federal Historic Tax Incentives Program. To see the range of TPS activities and publications go to our website at http://www.nps.gov/tps/; information on the Tax Incentives program is under that tab at the top of the page. Opportunity to gain practical experience in library and archives management of materials relating to cultural resources, specifically historic building rehabilitation. Strong organizational skills and an ability to work independently with minimal supervision required. For library and archives management duties, a background in library science and/or archives management is preferred, but a background in historic preservation or an allied field with a strong interest in library and archives management will be considered. For database duties, experience with database management and/or with image management software such as Adobe Photoshop and/or Adobe Fireworks is desirable (1200 hours).

National Park Service

This project enlists one youth intern for 11 months to work on corrective actions identified as an immediate need in the recently completed Collections Management Plan for the Cumberland Island National Seashore (CUIS). The collection includes artifacts, archives, and pieces associated with the cultural and natural history of CUIS. Tasks include records management, which involves cataloguing as well as updating and organizing accession records. Recent additions to the archives collection are to be processed and organized. An environmental monitoring program will be implemented for storage and exhibit spaces. Much effort will go toward collections pieces stored on the island including photo and written documentation, condition assessments, necessary accessioning, and improving storage conditions. The intern will coordinate an effort to ensure sensitive materials are transferred to adequate mainland facilities, while more robust pieces are housed on the island. In addition, basic conservation treatments and protection measures will be performed with an eye toward making the objects stable and secure for interpretation. The intern will develop a digital feature for presentation on the CUIS website and/or social media platforms.

U.S. Mission to Albania

1. Project Background, Goals, and Objectives Albania has experienced multiple cyberattacks in recent years, placing increasingly digital government services and critical institutions at significant risk. While Albania is actively embracing AI, substantial skill gaps remain gaps that American expertise is uniquely positioned to address. The CyberNext: Advanced Cybersecurity and AI Readiness program strengthens Albania s cybersecurity and AI capabilities by leveraging U.S. technology, standards, and expertise. The program moves beyond basic awareness to build practical skills, improve resilience against digital threats, and deepen understanding of U.S. leadership in technological innovation. This initiative builds on previous American Corners programming in cybersecurity and AI that established a cohort of young people with baseline knowledge and awareness. It complements ongoing U.S. Embassy efforts to strengthen Albania's cyber resilience and digital infrastructure in alignment with American technology standards. The program creates a foundation for sustained engagement with Albanian youth and professionals who will shape the country s digital future. The program advances key U.S. policy objectives by promoting American leadership in AI and cybersecurity, thereby defending digital openness and protecting space for open and authentic communication in the digital sphere. It equips Albanian professionals with skills and knowledge essential to shared security responsibilities, strengthening their capacity to contribute to regional stability, protects American interests abroad, consistent with the America First foreign policy that prioritizes building capable Allies and defending critical infrastructure against shared threats. All activities must demonstrate strong linkages to U.S. expertise, technology, and best practices in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Proposals should clearly articulate how these connections advance program objectives while serving U.S. interests in regional security and digital infrastructure development. The program must reaffirm its core purpose: equip Albanian audiences with cybersecurity and AI capabilities through results-focused engagement that produces measurable changes in the attitudes and behaviors of young cybersecurity professionals.

Dell Technologies Foundation

Supports youth development and STEM education programs, with focus on underrepresented groups in technology careers.

National Park Service

United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service Notice of Intent to Award. This Funding Announcement is not a request for applications. This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Service's intention to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Siskiyou Field Institute for a project titled, "Develop Oregon Caves Youth Programming." The commitment of funds in furtherance of the cooperative agreement will be authorized by the execution of individual task agreements identifying the project activities, the amount of financial assistance and any other special terms or conditions applicable to the project activities.

National Park Service

The objectives of this task agreement is to support the development of Groundwork Cincinnati - Mill Creek (GW CMC) to support projects and programs that facilitate community led conservation, youth engagement, brownfield remediation and green space improvements and the development and stewardship of parkland, recreation areas, nature reserves, and trail systems in Cincinnati, OH.

Dover Foundation

Supports education, youth development, and community programs in Dover operating locations.

Washington Department of Children, Youth & Families

Early childhood education grants supporting pre-K programs, childcare quality improvement, and school readiness initiatives in WA.

Elks National Foundation

Supports youth programs, community projects, and veterans services through Elks lodges across the United States.

National Park Service

The objective of this task agreement is to support and stimulate work as well as promote education and training opportunities for young adults living in urban Philadelphia through collaborative participation in the restoration and rehabilitation of natural and cultural resources. Over a six week period the participants will work along with NPS employees on natural resource, trail maintenance and preservation projects, as well as weekly in environmental education programs.

National Park Service

This is not a request for applications. This is a notice of intent to award funds to the Greening Youth Foundation through a task agreement issued under a previously awarded cooperative agreement P15AC00020. This task agreement will fund up internships within Everglades National Park. Please refer to the attachment under the related documents tab for additional program information.

National Park Service

The Conservation Legacy (CL) crew will participate with staff from the National Park Service in a collaborative program to protect and preserve key features of the Desert Queen Ranch (a.k.a. Keys Ranch) historic property. The Desert Queen Ranch is a National Register listed historic property that is only open to the public through ranger-guided interpretive tours. The purpose of this work is to address deferred maintenance of the Keys Ranch and Lost Horse security fence. The CL crew will conduct cyclic maintenance to repair and replace approximately 150 feet of fence within the Desert Queen Ranch property. In addition to historic fencing work, the CL crew will also work with historic preservation experts from the park to repair and reinforce approximately 385 feet of security fence around the Lost Horse Mine. The mine is a historic property listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a contributing feature to the Lost Horse Mining Historic District. Lost Horse Mine is a popular destination for hikers within Joshua Tree National Park (JTNP)

NIDA - National Institute on Drug Abuse

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT: Despite rising rates of opioid use disorder (OUD) among US adolescents and young adults (“youth”), most do not receive timely, evidence-based, high-quality care. There is a crucial need to establish valid and reliable measures that can be used by clinicians, health systems, and policymakers to ensure youth and families receive effective treatment. This K24 Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research will provide critical support for the PI, Dr. Scott Hadland, to augment his mentorship of early-career clinician-investigators to lead clinical research on youth substance use. In parallel, the PI will expand his research program to the development of new quality measures for youth OUD treatment, and pursue training to further develop his own skills. Novel research supported by this K24 aims to (a) Identify candidate measures through semi-structured interviews with youth, family members, and clinicians; (b) Conduct a modified Delphi process with a national panel of stakeholders to assess the importance, feasibility, and usability of candidate measures; and (c) Evaluate the reliability and validity of candidate measures using national Medicaid insurance claims data and clinical data from a large regional healthcare system. In parallel, the PI will advance his expertise through training in stakeholder-engaged research, Delphi methods, and measurement science to support his own career development. Throughout the K24 award, the PI will expand his mentorship infrastructure and offer enriched, individualized support to junior investigators engaged in patient-oriented research, ultimately supporting the next generation of physician-scientists committed to improving care for youth and families. Together, these K24-supported efforts will lay a strong foundation to optimize how care for youth with OUD is measured, reported, and improved nationwide.