Youth Health Advisory Council
Interested in supporting a healthier future for Adams County? The Youth Health Advisory Council is the perfect opportunity for youth to get involved in their community!
Apply to join the Youth Health Advisory Council!
This is YOUR voice, YOUR future, YOUR Council! The Youth Health Advisory Council is a group of young people who use their ideas, voice, and power to improve mental well-being and substance use prevention in Adams County.
The application to join the council is open June 10 – June 24. Click on the application to learn more about the process, member roles, and responsibilities.
About the Youth Health Advisory Council
Who can join?
Anyone who is 14-24 years old and lives in, goes to school in, or has strong ties to Adams County can apply. We welcome people with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds— especially those whose lives have been affected by substance use or mental health challenges.
Why should I join?
Your time, energy, and ideas are valuable. As a council member, you will be compensated for your work! You’ll also have the chance to build real skills in leadership, communication, advocacy, and public health through hands-on experience and education. The council will also be an opportunity to build stronger connections with peers and the community. Plus, free food!
What will the council do?
The council’s specific projects and initiatives will be chosen together by you and your peers! Examples could include anything from creating social media awareness campaigns to peer education events to sharing policy ideas with local leaders. No matter the direction taken, the council will support efforts to improve mental well-being and substance misuse prevention to help create a stronger, healthier community!
Youth Council Roles, Responsibilities, and Requirements
Joining the Youth Health Advisory Council is a chance to connect with other young
people, build leadership skills, and make a real difference in your community! You’ll help
shape programs and projects that impact youth while gaining valuable experience,
meeting new people, and getting paid for your time and expertise.
Members…
- Are between 14 and 24 years old;
- Live in, attend school in, or have strong connections to Adams County;
- Want to make a positive impact in their community, particularly around substance
misuse and mental health; - And are open to learning, working together, and engaging with differing perspectives.
Members should…
- Be available and willing to serve for 1 year (12 months) committing about 8 hours
per month. - Attend monthly in-person, virtual, or hybrid Youth Council meetings and actively
participate in discussions and activities. Meeting locations will be selected with
input from council members. - Work with other council members on projects and workgroups focused on issues
that matter to youth, such as mental health, feeling connected and supported,
improving opportunities for young people, and creating positive change in the
community. - Participate in trainings that build leadership, public health knowledge, and
advocacy skills. - Provide lived experience and youth perspective to inform ACHD programs, policies,
and initiatives. - Partner with peers and ACHD staff, contributing ideas, solutions,
and perspectives that support positive outcomes for youth and families. - Representing youth voice in department projects and may be invited
to participate in additional engagement opportunities, such as focus groups or
community conversations. - Commit to respectful communication and uphold the Youth Council’s norms,
agreements, and expectations.
Youth Council Members will gain
- Leadership skills, including facilitation, communication, and teamwork, developed through meetings, workgroups, and training.
- Experience influencing real public health decisions, contributing lived experience that shapes programs, policies, and funding priorities.
- Leadership experience by learning about public health, getting involved in the community, and understanding how local decisions are made.
- A supportive network of youth leaders, mentors, and public health professionals.
- Payment via stipends or community service hours, allowing members to choose what best supports their goals.
- Resume-building accomplishments, such as participation in committees, contributions to policy recommendations, and involvement in county-level initiatives.
- Confidence in advocacy and storytelling, using youth experiences to help ensure all young people have the support and opportunities they need to thrive.
- Opportunities to make a meaningful impact, such as influencing school district or county initiatives.
Stipend paid three times per year (up to $595 per disbursement) OR optional community service hours, as long as requirements are met. A 1099 tax form is issued if total payments exceed $600 in a calendar year.
Requirements for receiving stipends:
- Meeting attendance
- Participation in events
- Workgroup engagement
- Completion of feedback
- Following the Conduct and Behavior Standards as outlined in the application
- Parental consent for youth under 18.
Application Process
Round 1: Written Application
- Open: June 10 – June 24
- Deadline: 11:59 p.m. on June 24
This first round consists of basic information and three supplemental questions. Applications will be reviewed from June 25 to July 5 using a standardized rubric that focuses on applicants’ strengths and perspectives. To reduce bias, reviewers will not have access to applicants’ names or identifying information at this stage. The review team will include youth (who are not affiliated with the council) in addition to adult facilitators.
All applicants will be notified of their application status on July 6, and selected applicants will advance to a second-round interview.
Round 2: Interactive Interview
- Open to selected applicants: July 6 – July 12
- Presentations: July 13, 14, and 16
Selected applicants will be asked to pitch a hypothetical project for the council. More information and guidance will be provided on July 6, and applicants will present to the review team (in person or virtually) during select 15-minute time slots on July 13, 14, and 16. The same team will then review the second-round candidates. We will provide updates to each applicant and hope to finalize membership before the end of July!
Want to Know More?
If you have a question you’d like to ask us before submitting an application, or you’d like to know more about other youth opportunities, contact the Youth Engagement Team using the form below.