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Statewide Youth Health Council

CALL FOR YOUTH LEADERS AGES 15-19:  APPLICATION FOR OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL (YAC)

Are you between the ages of 15 - 19 and interested in having a say in the future of public health in Oregon ? Please apply to our OHA'S Youth Advisory Council!

Vea la “Convocatoria Para La Solicitud Del Consejo Asesor De Jóvenes Del Oregon Health Authority" en español: Aquí 



Background

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is looking for youth leaders to join a Youth Advisory Council (YAC) for the 2023-2024 school year. The YAC that has been working to support schools and community-based organizations (CBOs) in partnership with schools in their recovery from the impact of COVID-19. During the 2022-2023 school year, 20 youth from across Oregon informed OHA on how to spend $1,000,000 in COVID-19 Recovery Funds for schools.

During the 2023-2024 school year, the YAC will:

  • Support the community-based organizations and schools/school districts that were funded to carry out their projects.
  • Work with the public health department to develop program and policy recommendations that impact youth all over Oregon. The policy recommendations will be youth-led and driven.

OHA's Commitment to Health Equity

OHA is committed to seeking participation on this council from youth from communities most impacted by health inequities, including youth of color, youth from tribal communities, youth with disabilities, youth experiencing housing instability, youth from immigrant communities, and youth who are LGTBQ2SIA+. OHA will provide the youth advisory council with the overarching goal to advance health equity through their work. OHA defines health equity as:

“Oregon will have established a health system that creates health equity when all people can reach their full health potential and well-being and are not disadvantaged by their race, ethnicity, language, disability, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social class, intersections among these communities or identities, or other socially determined circumstances.

Achieving health equity requires the ongoing collaboration of all regions and sectors of the state, including tribal governments to address: The equitable distribution or redistribution of resources and power; and recognizing, reconciling and rectifying historical and contemporary injustices."


Apply Here!

Youth are encouraged to apply here by July 3rd.

Microsoft Word (.doc) Version:

English/Español

Questions/Preguntas? Contact:
lev.schneidman@oha.oregon.gov  

NOTE: There will be an online question and answer session for both interested youth on June 21st at 5pm - 6pm. Register here.


​A youth advisory council (YAC) is a youth-led decision-making and service body that helps an organization make decisions affecting youth. YACs can have different structures, compositions, and decision-making authority – but the goal is to empower youth to lead policy and program development. Here are a couple of short videos describing example YACs across the state and country:

-          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6HZvS61eJY  (Hillsboro, OR)

-          https://comicrelief.org/youth-advisory-council  (Comic Relief)

-          https://vimeo.com/226931555 (Muskegon County, MI)

-          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1x4aLalotQ&t=1s (More general explanation of government board and commissions, including youth advisory committee in Tigard, OR)


​ ​

OHA will appoint up to 25 youth to serve on the YAC from July 2023 to July 2024 (13 months). Youth will be expected to:

  • Attend 2.5-hour YAC meetings once or twice per month depending on the project.
  • Spend about 3-5 additional hours a month on council activities, such as attending a subcommittee on a topic that you are passionate about.
  • Attend two full day retreats.
  • All meetings will be virtual attendance.​

  • Any youth aged 15 to 19 at time of application  
  • Must live in Oregon  ​

Youth who serve on the Youth Advisory Council will receive:

  • $45/hr stipend for all time spent on council activities. Youth will have a choice of direct deposit to a bank account, or selection of gift cards. Please note that OHA will require tax forms (W-4). 
  • Community service hours – youth may receive community service hours in place of funding/compensation if they prefer, and/or if they are unable to receive funding/compensation for participation.
  • Mentorship from state public health officials and adult community partners.
  • Trainings on youth-adult partnership and health equity.
  • Learning opportunities and professional development related to public health, education, and community support.
  • The chance to make a positive difference in the lives of Oregon youth.
  • ​Connection with youth from across the state who have a passion for public health.​

June 6th: Applications Open

July 3rd​: Applications Close

July 24th-28th: Interviews Scheduled

August 14th: Appointment Notices and Notices of CBO Partnership Funding sent

August 24th: First meeting of the Oregon Health Authority Youth Advisory Council