The condition of children in Puerto Rico was dire before hurricane Maria. Not only had the island lost over 32% of its children between 2006 and 2016 to migration and low birth rates, but over half of the children in the island live in poverty and in single headed households. The reduction of the child population and high child poverty rates threatened the island’s already frail economic development. In this briefing we discuss various aspects impacting the wellbeing and development of children and youth after the hurricane. This will include the presentation of initial findings from a study on the impact of the hurricane on children, recommendations on increasing youth employment after the natural disaster, and the discussion of mental health interventions for children after the hurricane.

The Youth Development Institute of Puerto Rico (YDI) is a nonprofit organization working to advance public policies- at both the federal and commonwealth level- that improve the lives of children and youth in Puerto Rico, with a focus on the 56% of children in Puerto Rico who live in poverty. Our work includes the collection and dissemination of data to raise awareness about the condition of children in Puerto Rico and define policy problems; the development of research-driven public policy recommendations; and advocacy work that is driven by both data and people. We are the only organization focused on policy and advocacy around children’s issues in Puerto Rico.