Government operations and workforce

Executive Order 13459: Improving the Coordination and Effectiveness of Youth Programs

President: George W. Bush

Created an HHS-led group to coordinate evidence and information for at-risk youth programs.

Status: In effect. Is Executive Order 13459 still in effect? Yes. Executive Order 13459 remains in effect. See Federal Register record.

What does Executive Order 13459 do?

The group was to coordinate programs, develop a federal youth website with an initial phase within ten months and encourage rigorous outcome evaluation. The interagency group’s Pathways for Youth report describes the 2008 order as its foundation and sets out later coordination priorities.

Administration position: Created an HHS-led group to coordinate evidence and information for at-risk youth programs.
SignedFebruary 7, 2008
Earlier frameworkThe Helping America’s Youth initiative had involved multiple agencies, schools and community organizations.
Responsible bodyHHS-led interagency working group
Follow-up evidence2013: The interagency group’s Pathways for Youth report describes the 2008 order as its foundation and sets out later coordination priorities.

Before and after

Before the order

The Helping America’s Youth initiative had involved multiple agencies, schools and community organizations.

After the order

The group was to coordinate programs, develop a federal youth website with an initial phase within ten months and encourage rigorous outcome evaluation.

The interagency group’s Pathways for Youth report describes the 2008 order as its foundation and sets out later coordination priorities.

What did the signed order change?

The Helping America’s Youth initiative had involved multiple agencies, schools and community organizations. The group was to coordinate programs, develop a federal youth website with an initial phase within ten months and encourage rigorous outcome evaluation.

What happened later?

Youth.gov — Pathways for Youth: The interagency group’s Pathways for Youth report describes the 2008 order as its foundation and sets out later coordination priorities.

What does that evidence establish?

Coordination and recommendations do not create a new individual benefit or validate each funded program. The later strategy documents activity, not proven effects on youth outcomes. The signed order states the original requirements.

Who had to do what

Source: Signed Federal Register text.
Agency / officeActionTiming / position
Secretary of Health and Human ServicesEstablish the interagency youth working group, initially chair it or designate a chair, and provide lawful administrative support and funding; designate subsequent chairs and vice chairs.Initial chair term: two years from February 7, 2008; later designations biennially.
Attorney General or designee, as initial vice chairPerform the chair's meeting, agenda, work-direction, and subgroup functions in the chair's absence; be consulted on the executive secretary designation.Initial vice-chair term: two years from February 7, 2008; when the chair is absent.
Working group chairConvene and preside at meetings, set agendas, direct work and appropriate subgroups; designate an executive secretary after consulting the vice chair.During group operation; no fixed meeting or designation deadline.
Working group executive secretaryHead staff assigned to the working group and its subgroups.After designation; staff must be full-time or permanent part-time federal employees.
Interagency Working Group on Youth ProgramsEngage public and private partners; develop, update, and publicize a federal youth website and training tools; promote rigorous program evaluation and interagency initiatives; report to the President through the Domestic Policy Assistant.First website phase within 10 months of February 7, 2008; first report within six months; reports annually thereafter.
Other member departments and agenciesMay provide lawful administrative support with the HHS Secretary's consent.When agreed; no fixed deadline.
Heads of executive departments and agenciesProvide appropriate assistance and information requested by HHS; departments and agencies fund the website through lawful contributions consistent with their statutory authority.On request and as needed for website development.

What happened next

EO 13459 signed.