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!

• 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.

• Worth a Shot was organized by a 14-year-old in Washington to help get more COVID-19 vaccines to their community. 

• Young people in Seattle created this guide to connect teens to multicultural mental health care in their community.

• 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 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

• The United States Department of Health and Human Services is accepting applications for a new Youth Advisory Panel to support and provide feedback on youth and adult facing products made by the Personal Responsibility Education Program and Sexual Risk Avoidance Education and Training teams. The pilot term of the Youth Advisory Panel will span from January 2025 to September 2025. Applications are due Friday, December 6th. To learn more and apply, go to Youth Advisory Panel Application Form.

• The You Can campaign is again partnering with Washington youth to co-create authentic, peer videos—this time to highlight all the ways teens practice self-care. This is a chance for Washington teens to show how they practice self-care, spark ideas for others, and be compensated for their efforts. This video project is open to everyone in Washington State, ages 12- to 18-years-old. All submissions must be submitted by Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Go to our Self-Care Video Project webpage for all the details.

• The HearMeWA Youth Advisory Group is renewing its membership this winter and youth aged 12 to 25 from across the state are encouraged to apply. Please see flyer (PDF) for more information and instructions on how to apply to be a member of the HearMeWA Youth Advisory Group. If you have any questions, please email youthprogram@atg.wa.gov or call 833-398-0179.

• DOH is inviting Washingtonians to participate in a photo contest. To learn more go to: 2024 Community Photo Project - Celebrating Community Strengths (PDF).

• Washington is the focus of a new study on young adults and alcohol. Volunteers ages 21-26 will be part of a research study to find out what happens at the door when ordering alcohol through delivery services and can earn $110 for participating. Want to learn more? Check out the announcement.

Apprenticeships and Jobs

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

• Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium - Where Learning comes to life | a multi-union, multi-employer partnership created to provide all healthcare employers within Washington State access to the benefits of skilled apprenticeship training for their workforce.

• Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program 2024 | CHAS Health

• Healthcare | Apprenticeship.gov

• Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program - UW Health - Remarkable Careers

• Washington College Grant for Apprenticeship | WSAC

• Career Connect Washington

• College Students - MultiCare Health System Jobs

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

• Volunteer with a Washington State Agency | Serve Washington

• Internships with government agencies - Careers.wa.gov

• Opportunities | Youth Engaged 4 Change (National)

Adolescent Health in the News

• 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

Need more?

Sign up for Adolescent Health’s email for updates and information. 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.