Youth Leadership Council
The FOF/HC is pleased to introduce the Youth Leadership Council.
This council helps the organization to fulfill its vision on the guiding principle to promote Positive youth development.
Rationale
Youth/Students have been on the forefront of most major social movements, particularly in the Civil Rights Movement of the 60’s. Youth Advocates have moved society and the world to change.
The Federation of Families/Hillsborough Chapter Youth Leadership Council will help address issues at the local, state, and national level.
Criteria for Participation
A. The youth will be between the ages of 13-20 year olds.
B. The youth will be a member of a family that has joined the FOF.
C. The youth will have a history, diagnosis, past or current participation in a school area such as special education, exceptional education, or mental health setting.
D. Youth will have a signed release from guardian/parent, which include (media release, injury etc.).
E. Youth will agree to participate in a variety of activities and programs.
Why a Youth Leadership Council?
1. To address the unique life skills, educational needs and emotional needs of youth who have demonstrated emotional behavioral concerns.
2. To develop youth to have a voice in planning programs that affects their lives.
3. To better, prepare youth to have advocacy roles in civic/policy making boards/councils etc.
Major Objectives:
1. Leadership and Advocacy Training
2. Community Involvement
3. Social Networking
4. Fight stereotypes/barriers of youth voice and youth related struggles
Council Design
The Council will meet approximately 20 times per year (group will decide actual frequency, format, etc.). The group will be part of special projects, recreational, social and receive educational supports.
They will experience a 4 stage development approach:
1. 5 sessions of life skills self-awareness.
- Emotional management, school, and family relationships.
- 5 sessions of financial awareness.
- Budgets, bank accounts etc.
- 5 sessions job/career awareness.
- 5 sessions of leadership, advocacy, civic preparations, they will serve on boards, make presentations, and public appearances.
What will be your responsibilities as a Youth Leadership Council member?
Youth members are the driving force behind this national youth movement and need to actively participate in board activities. This is the Federation’s first initiative for youth board for youth to be active in the systems of care, and the roles and responsibilities of members will evolve as the council further develops.
Active participation and partnership includes the following:
· Participating in conference calls.
· Traveling to and participating in council meetings.
· Providing input to the team throughout the development process.
· Connecting youth in local communities to work on a national level.
· Participating on local committees determined by the council.
Some issues that will be addressed:
Juvenile Justice: Diversion – Mental Health Services
Health: Physical, emotional, and spiritual
Education: Exceptional Student status, behavior supports
Voice: Social, civic, and employment involvement
Fiscal 2005-2006
The Youth Leadership Council will become part of a youth cohort. The members will be a part of a dynamic program entitled, Life, Education, Employment, and Advocacy Program (LEAP).
This cohort will serve between 40-50 youth in Hillsborough County.
Youth involved in LEAP will meet many of the same criteria of the Youth Leadership Council. They will be identified as, “At-risk Youth.”
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