Civic and Policy Engagement of Youth
Engaging youth in communities, schools and the civic process is critical to the success of many youth and a positive influence on the healthy development of all youth. Providing role models, working with mentors and connecting kids to caring adults are all things that make it easier for youth to turn away from negative influences and continue on a path to successful citizenship and adulthood.
Positive Youth Development is an approach to develop programs and services for children and youth that emphasizes building skills and assets in addition to preventing common negative outcomes. This page provides a broad overview of strength-based approaches to youth and the role of government in encouraging programs and activities that build resiliency in kids.
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Policy Engagement
Legislators continue to be attentive to engaging youth in the policymaking process. Both the executive and legislative branches have shown interest in listening to youth and bringing them to the policymaking table through the creation of youth councils, legislative advisory boards, youth cabinets and task forces. Youth in California, Maine, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and New York have contributed to policy affecting schools, foster care mental health services and youth drug addiction, education and treatment.
There are currently 12 states that have Legislative Youth Advisory Councils (LYACs). LYACs are groups of elected or appointed youth that are mandated to examine and make recommendations on issues important to youth, such as, education, employment opportunities, substance about and physical health to the Legislature. Some of the councils have legislative members. This chart outlines this new national trend that is engaging youth in the policy making process.
Links to State LYACs
- Maine
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Washington
Click here to view the video clips of the series, Engaged: Students Becoming Citizens. This video features Washington's Legislative Youth Advisory Council and other students across the Washington state learning about and participating in politics and government.
Civic Engagement
For comprehensive information on civic education and Legislators Back-to-School Program, take a look at NCSL's Trust For Representative Democracy.
For more information regarding youth issues, please contact Rochelle Finzel or Qiana Flores in the Denver office at 303.364.7700 or cyf-info@ncsl.org or either Sheri Steisel or Lee Posey in the D.C. office at 202.624.5400 or fedhumserv-info@ncsl.org.
NOTE: NCSL provides links to other Web sites from time to time for information purposes only. Providing these links does not necessarily indicate NCSL's support or endorsement of the site.
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