Get Involved

Learn more about the many ways youth can get involved

Young people want to get involved in their communities and in state government. Find resources about internships, job and youth engagement opportunities with state agencies on this page. Check back regularly for updates.

Washington Youth in Action!

Young people across Washington are taking action to improve access to important health information and health care services. Learn more about their awesome work!

• A Kirkland high school student created a student-led insomnia awareness campaign focused on educating teens about insomnia and the importance of sleep health. They started the campaign through HOSA after recognizing how many students, including members of their own team, have personally experienced insomnia, stress, and sleep deprivation. Their team created educational materials, social media content, and community outreach efforts (such as presenting information to local schools) to spread awareness about the causes, effects, and resources related to insomnia and poor sleep habits. They aimed to make the information relatable and accessible for teenagers while encouraging open conversations around mental health and sleep. 

• A young person in Washington is promoting water safety through the LakeSafe Initiative by building networks, pooling resources, and joining coalitions. 

• College students at UW started Narcare.org to deliver Naloxone and vital overdose prevention training through partnerships with shelters, schools, and local organizations. 

• A high school senior created a new website to help young people navigate the challenges of family members with Alzheimer's. Learn more at https://www.navigatingalzheimers.org

• Nexus: Mental Health Hub for Schools is an award-winning, 24/7 mental health platform founded by a 10^th grader from Washington State and has reached over 8,000,000 students across the country, so far. Nexus: Mental Health Hub is described as an evidence-based resource that provides 24/7 access to self-management tools, peer stories, expert guidance, coping strategies, and integrates digital tools with in-person initiatives. The platform is vetted by professionals and is being researched by the University of Washington. For more information visit www.nexusforschools.com.

• The Youth Global Health and Innovation Conference was founded and organized by a high school student in Bellevue, WA.

• Students from around Washington participated in the Washington Tracking Network's Youth Science Contest covering health topics young people care about.

  • The first place winner in the individual category in 2024 was a high school student's presentation on the dangers of Fentanyl: Pop One, Life’s Done, Social Media Campaign (PDF) and context paper (PDF) 

Do you have a have cool health-related project you want to share? Email us at adolescenthealthunit@doh.wa.gov and tell us about it!

Youth Engagement Opportunities

We do not have any youth engagement opportunities to report at this time (July 2026).

Apprenticeships and Jobs

• Become an Apprentice (wa.gov) (for youth aged 16 and older)

• Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium - Find paid apprenticeships in health care, mental and behavioral health, peer support, pharmacy, nursing, and more.

• Career Connect Washington

• Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program 2024 | CHAS Health

• Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program - UW Health - Remarkable Careers

• Washington College Grant for Apprenticeship | WSAC

• College Students - MultiCare Health System Jobs

• Career and Employment Programs and Resources | Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families

• Teen Council and Peer Led Sex Ed | Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawaiʻi, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky

Fellowships, Internships and Volunteers 

• Intern at DOH:

  • Public Health Academic Learning Collaborative - For Students

  • Engaging Students at the Department of Health | Washington State Department of Health

• Washington World Fellows

• Volunteer with a Washington State Agency | Serve Washington

• Volunteer Information | Seattle Center Foundation

• Healthcare Volunteering Opportunities in Washington

• Internship Program - Washington State Legislature - Serve, learn, and lead in Olympia.

Adolescent Health in the News

• Youth Wellness Zones: Early Outcomes of a Place-Based, Collective Impact Approach — CoLab for Community and Behavioral Health Policy

• Teen Health Hub WA: One-stop shop for young people’s questions about their health | by Washington State Department of Health | Public Health Connection | June 2024 | Medium

• Reading, math, science, and wellness: youth mental health is a new educational cornerstone | by Governor Jay Inslee | Washington State Governor's Office | Medium

• 4 Washington Teens Share Why They Got the COVID-19 Vaccine | by Washington State Department of Health | Public Health Connection | Medium

• Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness | PBS

• Seattle-area youth created this guide to connect teens to multicultural mental health care | The Seattle Times

Stay connected!

• Youth-serving adults can sign up for Adolescent Health updates and our monthly newsletter.

• Young people can sign up for the Next Gen Newsletter to receive quarterly updates on the Youth Advisory Council, youth engagement opportunities, and public health activities that impact youth.

• Email us at adolescenthealthunit@doh.wa.gov for questions and to share youth engagement opportunities you would like us to consider including on this site.