Youth Advisory Council Meetings

Are you between the ages of 13 and 22 and living in Washington? Do you want to help improve public health programs for young people? The Washington State Department of Health is inviting young people like you to apply to join the Youth Advisory Council!  We value your ideas, insight, expertise, experiences, and contributions -- You know what issues are important to you and what solutions will work for you. 

Click here to apply by May 31, 2025!

What are the expectations?

Council members are expected to: 

• Role: Help the Adolescent and Young Adult Health Unit make key programming decisions and collaborate on public health projects. 
• Term: Attend at least 80% of YAC meetings from August 2025 through June 2026, including the kickoff meeting in August.
• Complete onboarding: 
  • Selected members are required to meet with DOH staff to confirm participation. For members under 18, a parent/guardian must attend this meeting.
  • All members are required to attend the kickoff meeting on August 1st, 2025 from 9-5. It will be offered both virtually and in person. More information to come!  
• Regular communication: Respond to DOH staff communications and requests within one week using email, GroupMe, and Basecamp. Let DOH staff know right away if you can’t take part in the YAC anymore. 
• Represent the YAC at community events, including schools and school districts, conferences, DOH meetings, etc. 
• Actively participate in meetings and activities, be open and willing to discuss topics proposed by DOH staff, and give feedback on Adolescent Health materials, including social media posts, communications materials, and program documents. 
• Maintain confidentiality: This means not sharing sensitive/personal details of other YAC members outside of the meeting space. 
• Help DOH staff create a safe and inclusive space that welcomes young people from different backgrounds, identities, life experiences, thoughts, and opinions. 

Who can apply?

At the time of the application, interested applicants must: 

• Live in Washington 
• Be ages 13-22 
  • Applicants under 18 need:  
    • Parent or guardian permission to take part. 
    • A trusted adult to provide emotional and/or technical support during meetings (trusted adults do not have to attend meetings).
• Have internet and email access, and able to use or learn Zoom, GroupMe, and Basecamp,  
• Have an interest in contributing to or improving public health, health care and services for Washington’s young people.  

We especially encourage applications from those who identify with or have lived experiences in the following:  

• Black, Indigenous, People of Color, immigrants, and 2SLGBTQIA+. 
• Visible or invisible disabilities, or who are neurodivergent 
• Involvement with systems like juvenile justice, child protective services, or foster care  
• Living with chronic disease conditions or undergoing treatment  
• Behavioral or mental health conditions and care  
• Feeling left out or experiencing challenges at school  
• Apple Health Medicaid insurance recipients 
• Facing economic or structural barriers  
• Houselessness or unstable housing   
• Challenges with accessing or using health care or living in medically underserved areas 

How do I apply?

Complete an online application by May 31, 2025. 

The application is also available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian and Arabic.

• .انقر هنا لعرض الطلب باللغ عرب
• Haz clic aquí para ver la solicitud en Espanol.
• Нажмите здесь, чтобы переключить заявление на российской. 
• Nhấp vào đây để xem đơn đăng ký bằng Tiếng Việt.

To request the application in another language or to complete it over the phone, contact us at adolescenthealthunit@doh.wa.gov.

How will members be selected?

DOH staff will score eligible and complete applications and select members based on the following: 

• Quality of responses to application questions
• Applicants who show clear interest in public health, health care improvement 
• Mix of members who are reflective of Washington’s young people based on their racial, ethnic, cultural, life-experiences, and economic backgrounds. 
• Geographic representation 
• Prioritize applicants from communities who are most affected by health care inequities. 

What is the schedule for the 25/26 cohort?

The application timeline and schedule for the 25/26 cohort is:

• April-May: Application period for new members

• May-June: Application screening, review and selection.

  • We hope to notify selected members by June 30th, 2025. 

• July: Onboarding period.

  • Selected members will be required to read and sign a consent to participate and virtually meet with DOH staff via Zoom prior to the first meeting.

  • For members who are under 18, a parent or guardian must also sign the consent form and attend the virtual meeting. 

• August: Youth Public Health Summit and YAC Kick Off meeting, August 1st, 2025 in Olympia, WA. This event will be offered in person and virtually. More information to come.

• September-June: Meeting and project period

  • September-November: Project 1 

  • December: No meetings

  • January -March: Project 2

  • April-June: Project 3 and goodbyes 

YAC meetings and activities will focus on public health projects on the following topics: 

• Sexual and reproductive health tools and resources for teens and young adults 

• Mental and behavioral health 

• Youth friendly care 

• Teen Health Hub WA updates and improvements 

Members receive a $50.00 e-gift card for every meeting and activity they actively participate in!