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!

• 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.

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

Youth engagement opportunities are updated regularly, so check back often!

• Help Shape the New DSHS Website and enter to win a $100 gift card: The Department of Social and Health Services is currently redesigning its website to make services easier to find, and we need your help to get it right. We are conducting a usability test called a website tree test to see how easy it is for users to find specific information within our proposed menu structure.  Go to Website Usability Testing to participate in the online activity. You will be asked to complete a series of tasks to find specific services or information and offer feedback on the navigation. By participating, you will also be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card.Deadline: Please complete the activity by Jan. 20.

• Students invited to participate in annual Northwest Radon Poster Contest: The Washington State Department of Health is calling young artists across the Pacific Northwest to put their creativity to work in the 2026 Northwest Radon Poster Contest. The annual competition is held during Radon Action Month and helps students learn about radon and why it can be harmful to health. Students ages 9 to 14 in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon may enter the contest. Students must be enrolled in a public, private, or homeschool, or be part of a group such as scouting, art, science, or 4-H. Each student may submit one poster. Posters must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on February 28. Winners will be announced by March 31. Contest rules, lesson materials, and entry forms are available on the Northwest Radon Poster Contest webpage.  First place: $100 Apprenticeships and Jobs. 

• The You Can campaign is launching a new How I Show Up video project: Share a 20-45 second video, help others, and get paid for creating content that could be featured in the You Can campaign. You can earn a $25 gift card per video (up to two videos), plus have your name entered for a chance to win one of five $100 gift cards. This video project is open to everyone in Washington state, ages 12- to 18-years-old. All submissions must be received by Tuesday, March 31st, 2026. Check out You Can’s Instagram and Facebook posts for more info, or go to our How I Show Up Video Project webpage for all the details. 

 

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

Fellowships, Internships and Volunteers 

• Intern at DOH: 

  • Summer 2025 Paid Internships at DOH - Applications open February 3, 2025!

  • Public Health Academic Learning Collaborative - For Students

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

• About — 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.