With support from OJJDP, the America's Promise organization has developed an online Five Promises Checklist that will help communities deliver needed services to young people. The five promises—caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, marketable skills, and opportunities to serve—are factors that can significantly improve a young person's chances of becoming a successful adult.

Across the United States, numerous organizations deliver services that fulfill one or more of these promises for many children. However, most communities lack the means to determine and track comprehensively which children are receiving which services. The checklist enables communities to make sure they are fulfilling each of the five promises for every child.

The checklist identifies specific, age-appropriate actions for the five promises, together with service providers who can address the actions. Each "Community of Promise" customizes the checklist tool to reflect local resources. Designed with flexibility in mind, the tool encompasses the wide spectrum of individuals who interact with young people, including parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, childcare workers, leaders of scout troops and faith organizations, and juvenile justice workers.

To learn more about the Five Promises Checklist, visit the America's Promise Web site at www.americaspromise.org.

Caring Adults Safe Places Healthy Start Marketable Skills Opportunities to Serve Caring Adults. Ongoing relationships with caring adults—parents, mentors, tutors, or coaches—offer youth support, care, and guidance. Safe Places. Safe places with structured activities during nonschool hours provide both physical and emotional safety for youth. Healthy Start. Adequate nutrition, exercise, and health care pave the way for healthy bodies, healthy minds, and smart habits for adulthood. Marketable Skills. Marketable skills through effective education help youth successfully navigate the transition from school to work. Opportunities to Serve. Opportunities to give back through community service enhance self-esteem, boost confidence, and heighten a sense of responsibility to the community.

About America�s Promise America�s Promise was founded after the April 1997 Presidents� Summit for America�s Future, held in Philadelphia, PA. Presidents Clinton, Bush, Carter, and Ford, with First Lady Nancy Reagan representing her husband, challenged the nation to make youth a national priority. Their call to action included a commitment to fulfilling the five promises. Colin Powell is the founding chairman of America�s Promise, which has grown into an alliance of more than 400 national partner organizations and 400 local initiatives (involving community and state partners).