The National Y’s (YUSA) Public Policy Priorities.
Drowning is the second leading cause of death in children under the age of 14 in Texas. Teaching children how to swim and be safe around water is one of the most important life skills parents can help their children learn. According to the Center for Disease Control formal swim lessons can reduce drowning by 88%.

Learn about the Y’s youth development policy priorities:
Become an advocate: As an advocate of the Y, you can help:
- Influence policies and initiatives that help youth develop healthy behaviors, values and life skills
- Build trust and understanding among community groups and decision makers
- Positively impact societal issues of importance to the nation and your community
Civic Engagement
Get involved: YMCA Youth & Government is a national program of the YMCA that involves thousands of teens in state-organized model-government programs. Students from every corner of the U.S. have the opportunity to immerse themselves in experiential civic engagement and to, quite literally, practice democracy.
YMCA Youth & Government students have a better understanding of the workings of the government, foster an understanding of other’s problems and understand the concept of unity as it applies to the political process. Please note that there is an additional registration process through the State Program.