Parent, Guardian, and Caregiver Advisory Board
Adolescent and Young Adult Health
Parent, Guardian, and Caregiver Advisory Board
Working together to help youth thrive.
Young people thrive when their parents, guardians and caregivers are involved in their health care. We want to understand what parents, guardians and caregivers need to support their teens and young adults navigate medical and behavioral health systems. That’s why the Washington State Department of Health’s (DOH) Adolescent and Young Adult Health (AYAH) team is establishing the Parent, Guardian, and Caregiver Advisory Board.
- What is the Parent, Guardian, and Caregiver Advisory Board (PCAB)?
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The Parent, Guardian, and Caregiver Advisory Board, or PCAB, is a group of parents, guardians, and caregivers of teens and young adults ages 11–24 from across Washington. PCAB members will share their perspectives and recommendations on public health programming at DOH and the health care support that young people and their parents, guardians, and caregivers need.
Members will meet with DOH regularly to share:
- Challenges and barriers families face when looking for, getting to, or using medical and behavioral health services in Washington.
- Questions about health care and public health topics for teens and young adults.
- Ideas for improving access to high-quality health care, information, and support for teens and young adults.
- Ways DOH can better support parents, caregivers, and guardians in promoting their teen and young adult children’s health and well-being.
- What does the PCAB do?
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The PCAB will meet virtually on Zoom throughout the school year. During meetings, members share their perspectives, feedback and guidance on DOH’s programs, projects and services for young people. Their input helps us build programs that are equitable, accessible, relevant, and responsive to young people’s needs, and helps us make sure parents, guardians and caregivers have the support they need.
The topics of focus for the 2026–2027 PCAB year align with the Adolescent and Young Adult Health’s programming and priorities. They include:
- Preventive care and annual check ups
- Youth mental health and well-being
- Youth sexual and reproductive health and Teen Health Hub WA
- Youth confidentiality and privacy
Members receive a $50 e-gift card for each meeting or activity they attend, up to $550 per calendar year.
- Who can apply to join?
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To apply, you must be a parent, guardian, or caregiver of a young person currently ages 11–24 and live in Washington. You must also:
- Be interested in collaborating and contributing to public health programs for young Washingtonians.
- Be able to participate in most scheduled meetings.
- Have internet and email access.
- Be able or learn how to use Zoom to actively participate in meetings.
We especially encourage you to apply if your family has lived experience with:
- Challenges accessing or receiving health care.
- Visible or invisible disabilities.
- Government systems, like juvenile justice, child protective services, or foster care.
- Behavioral and mental health conditions and treatment.
- Health conditions or treatment that lasts a long time.
- Barriers or discrimination related to race, ethnicity, income, gender, sexual orientation, and other identities.
- Houselessness or unstable housing.
- What are the expectations of members?
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If selected, you will need to:
- Meet with DOH staff within 2 weeks of being selected.
- Attend most meetings.
- Discuss topics proposed by DOH staff and meeting facilitators.
- Share thoughts, advice, and recommendations on public health programs, strategies, and health care support and access for young people in Washington.
- Approach the work with an equity and community-centered mindset — prioritizing fairness based on what people need and what they have access to.
- Support a safe, open, and inclusive space that welcomes perspectives of people from different backgrounds and identities, and different lived experiences.
- Be respectful and keep what members share during meetings private.
- Let us know if you can no longer participate or if you are facing barriers or issues.
Important: Members who derail conversations or engage in bullying or other unsafe behaviors will be removed from the group.
- What is the selection process?
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To be considered, you must meet all eligibility requirements and agree to member expectations.
- Interest in improving public health programs and health information and support for young people and their parents, guardians and caregivers.
- Commitment to teamwork and valuing different experiences and perspectives.
- Commitment to maintaining a safe and supportive environment.
We will prioritize applications reflecting:
- Different lived experiences, including racial, ethnic, cultural, geographic, economic, and professional backgrounds.
- Experiences with health care and related systems.
- People who are part of traditionally and intentionally marginalized or medically underserved populations, or who have had limited health care access due to policy decisions.
We will also select members from across Washington to make sure different regions and communities are represented. This will help make sure we include perspectives from different parts of the state.
- What is the PCAB schedule?
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- June 2026: Applications open. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2026
- July 2026: AYAH staff review and select members
- August 2026: All applicants are notified. Selected members are invited to attend a one-on-one meet and greet with DOH staff
- September 8, 2026: First meeting and orientation
- November 10, 2026: Second meeting
- February 9, 2027: Third Meeting
- April 13, 2027: Fourth and last meeting of the cohort
Questions?
Contact us at adolescenthealthunit@doh.wa.gov
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