Stakeholder Involvement

On any given day, scores of young people with limited individual and social capital are simultaneously struggling to exit some systems and enter others: foster care, residential treatment centers, higher education, mental health programs, gainful employment.

Across the country, too few youth leave high school ready for success. Community statistics and conditions vary, but there is no community across the country that is doing well enough by its children and youth. There is a need to do more.

On July 24 at the New Orleans Convention Center, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) held a session for 150 legislators entitled ‘Investing in Our Future: The Status of America’s Youth’. Panelists included Elizabeth Gaines of the Forum, Senator Appel of Iowa, Representative Roberts of Colorado and Representative Walker of Connecticut.

This youth council was formed to examine issues of importance to youth, such as: education, employment, strategies to increase youth participation in government, safe environments for youth, substance abuse, emotional and physical health, foster care, poverty, homelessness, and youth access to services.

The VTSP Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is made up of one peer elected member from each VTLSP School. The council meets three times per year and each member must commit to two major safety projects in the school year. Sponsored by the Vermont Teen Leadership Safety Program.

The San Francisco Youth Commission is a diverse group of 17 young people between the ages of 12 and 23. The youth come from all across the city to serve as the official youth voice at City Hall.