Solano County Office of Education - Summer Youth Leadership Institute

Summer Youth Leadership Institute

The Summer Leadership Institute is supported by a planning team from the Youth Development Department and Touro University, California's Public Health Program. High school youth apply to experience a 5-day intensive youth advocate training that will be coordinated and led by community leaders and experts in the field of youth development, public health, environmental prevention, community activism, and peer education. Students will participate in a field trip to the State Capitol to meet with leaders in governing agencies to engage in communication with decision makers about policy development. Graduates of the Institute will receive a Youth Advocate Certification and will have the opportunity to develop their own prevention campaign in their community that will be carried out during the upcoming school year.

Dates: TBD

Locations:

TBD
State Capitol, Sacramento

Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM (Day 1, 2, 3 and 5) 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Day 4)

Eligibility: High school students living in or attending school in Solano County.

Purpose

The Health Equity and Leadership Training for Youth project is based on foundation of the principals and practices of Positive Youth Development (PYD) and Youth-led Participator Action Research (YPAR).

PYD is an intentional, prosocial approach that engages youth within their communities, schools, organizations, peer groups, and families in a manner that is productive and constructive; recognizes, utilizes, and enhances young people's strengths; and promotes positive outcomes for young people by providing opportunities, fostering positive relationships, and furnishing the support needed to build on their leadership strengths.

YPAR is an innovative approach to positive youth and community development based in social justice principles in which young people are trained to conduct systemic research to improve their lives, communities, and the institutions intended to serve them.