NCLD/Youth is built around several key partnerships:

The first is a strong partnership with The Arc of the United States . The Arc is the national organization of and for people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities and their families. With chapters throughout the country, The Arc brings the project access to a network of youth with developmental disabilities and their families as well as the in-kind advice and counsel of its Assistant Executive Director.

 Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC ): The FDDC helps plan individual and family-centered supports for persons with disabilities in Florida . The Council also guides the development and administration of services for people with developmental disabilities by planning and funding research, innovations, and programs designed to improve the quality of their lives. The FDCC has launched a major statewide initiative known as Partners in Transition and is a member of the Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force on Community Living, Transition and Employment for People with Developmental Disabiltiies. The FDDC also brings access to the Florida Youth Leadership Forum (YLF), a leadership training program for high school juniors and seniors with disabilities. The goal of the YLF is to develop a network of young adults with disabilities who realize their ability to pursue meaningful employment and societal contributions, while helping break down the barriers to independence for people with disabilities.

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD): APD assists people who have developmental disabilities and their families. It also provides assistance to identify the needs of people with developmental disabilities and funding to purchase supports and services. Although the Central Office is in Tallahassee , the supports and services for people with developmental disabilities are provided through district offices throughout the state.

New Hampshire Developmental Disabilities Council (NHDDC): The NHDDC was established in 1970 under the federal Developmental Disabilities Bill of Rights Act to improve the lives of NH citizens with disabilities. NHDDC focuses its work on improving specific programs, policies, and conditions identified in its Five Year Strategic Plan. NHDDC consists of 21 citizens appointed by the Governor for three-year terms, with the majority of members made up of individuals with disabilities and their families. Since 1970, the Council has been working to achieve its mission of "dignity, full rights of citizenship, equal opportunities, and full participation for all NH citizens with developmental disabilities" by advocating for and helping put in place the real community services, individual supports, protections, and positive public attitudes each and every NH citizen with disabilities needs to achieve this mission. One of the NH DDC projects is to build a state transition infrastructure around the Guideposts for Success described earlier in this proposal

Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) — Center for Workforce Development: The Center for Workforce Development at IEL is managing NCWD/Youth. For more than thirty-five years, IEL-a non-profit, nonpartisan organization based in Washington, DC-has worked to achieve better results for children and youth. At the heart of IEL's effectiveness is a unique ability to bring people together to identify and resolve issues across policy, program, and sector boundaries. IEL's Center for Workforce Development focuses on helping leaders in both the public and private sectors build bridges that connect individuals with both learning institutions and the workplace.. The Center has been involved in research or technical assistance on a number of major initiatives -- most notably school-to-work, standards, and youth issues.