What is the Youth Data Council?
The Youth Data Council (YDC) started in March 2022 as a way for youth to tell the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Public Health Division and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) how to improve the
Student Health Survey. The SHS is a survey that students take in the fall during class and asks questions about a lot of topics that may or may not be relevant to youth and their lives. Which is why we need the YDC – we want to make sure the SHS is asking questions that are meaningful to students in Oregon schools!
What is the purpose of the Youth Data Council?
Students are taking the survey, so it makes sense for students to have a voice in the types of questions that are being asked.
Equity. Inclusion. Racial Justice. Those are our goals. We want the SHS to be a tool that helps
all Oregon students get the support and services they need to achieve success. We want the survey to reflect the reality of young people's lives and to get data that can be used to drive policy that will improve students' lives.
What do YDC members do?
The YDC meets from late October 2022 through April 2023 with a winter break. Each Council member spends about
4 hours a month on a mix of group meetings and independent work for the YDC.
YDC members
sign up for a team workgroup focused on a special project to improve the Student Health Survey (SHS). This year, the projects will focus on:
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Survey team: Giving input on 2024 Student Health Survey topics and how surveys happen in classrooms and schools;
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Data team: Reviewing the current SHS results and helping interpret the data based on their perspective, experiences and what other students and community members are saying; and
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Communications team: Helping design messaging and communication about the SHS to students, families, schools and districts.
Members of the YDC also
commit to attending one 60-minute virtual meeting each month to share updates on their projects, hear about other workgroups, give input on SHS activities, and make sure they are getting what they need from OHA and ODE to complete their projects.
How do YDC members benefit?
YDC members are compensated in gift cards for sharing their time, knowledge and experience with OHA and ODE. Council members dedicate about
4 hours every month to the YDC and
receive a $100 non-taxable gift card each month for their participation.
Since each Council member is part of a workgroup, YDC members can take part in trainings and get practical skills on survey design, health communications, and how public health data can be used to support change in their schools and communities.
Who are the YDC members?
Members don't need any special skills or training to be part of the Youth Data Council – experience in life is enough! We have YDC members with a wide variety of skills and interests to get the workgroup projects done. YDC members are enthusiastic about sharing their stories, experiences and ideas to improve the survey and want to partner with adults working in state systems. To give input on the SHS, YDC members:
- Are 15 to 20 years old, and
- Have been a student in a public school in Oregon.
We want the YDC to reflect the diversity of Oregon youth. The YDC prioritizes youth who have strong connections to their family, friends and community, especially those who identify as:
- Tribal, Indigenous, American Indian, Alaska Native or urban Native
- Black or African American, Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Latino/a/x, Middle Eastern or North African
- LGBTQ2SIA+
- Living with a disability
- Living in a remote area or far away from cities, suburban areas and towns
- Facing life and system challenges, such as houselessness, hunger, poverty, foster care or trauma
How would you or your organization like to engage with the YDC? Would you like more information about the YDC? Contact Kari Greene at
kari.greene@dhsoha.state.or.us or call 503-910-6681.