CA Youth Commission and Engagement Resources
The Institute’s Public Engagement program works to develop and support more authentically empowered, representative and effective youth civic engagement in California. Below are resources available to youth commissions and councils, city and county officials, and others interested in youth engagement. To return to the Youth Commissions & Engagement webpage, click here.
City and County Youth Commissions and Councils in California Roster
The Institute's Public Engagement program has compiled the following list of California city and county youth commissions and other local government youth organizations to support communication among these groups and to provide information to those local officials who wish to start a youth commission in their community. Changes and additions to this roster are welcomed and can be emailed to cpereira@ca-ilg.org.
Case Stories of City and County Youth Commissions and Councils in California
If you would like to know what other youth commissions and councils are doing to engage youth in local decision-making, please visit the “California Stories” and “Stories Beyond California” sections on our Youth Commissions & Engagement webpage. You will also find in this webpage a Youth in Public Engagement Story Form where you can submit information about your youth commission or council. We reserve the right to edit and make the final decision to add your information to our website.
Briefing Paper for Youth Commissions and Youth Councils Series
The Briefing Paper Series are for youth commissions and councils and will provide background information and ideas for commission activities and action. The Briefing Papers will be disseminated without cost to youth commissions and councils throughout California. New additions to the Briefing Paper Series will be provided quarterly, so please check back for new information.
Briefing Paper #1: Healthcare Coverage for Children and Youth in Your Community
Briefing Paper #2: Addressing Climate Change: Ideas for Youth Commissions
Briefing Paper #3: Youth and Local Planning: Ideas for Youth Commissions
Youth Commission Staff E-News Online Newsletter
The “Youth Commission Staff E-News” tri-annual online newsletter provides news, information, and resources to help promote and strengthen youth commissions and councils in California. Click SUBSCRIBE if you would like to receive the newsletter. Also, if you have news to share about your youth commission or council for the newsletter, please e-mail Carmen Pereira at cpereira@ca-ilg.org.
Guides on Youth Engagement
The report and catalogue, prepared by the Sierra Health Foundation and Youth Services Provider Network, provides an overview of youth leadership and why it is important; shares some of the best practices from organizations that successfully implement youth leadership opportunities; and provides an introductory catalogue of the youth leadership opportunities in the greater Sacramento region.
Youth want to participate in civic action, but few communities in the nation are encouraging and equipping them to do so in an ongoing and systematic way. With youth civic engagement through community-based learning, both young people and communities benefit. This report is from Youth Development Network.
A Guide for Creating a City Youth Council
A publication from the Florida League of Cities, the Guide serves as a “road map” for cities wanting to start a youth council. Youth councils are composed of students from different high schools within the city and serve as an advisory board to the city commission/council.
Building Effective Youth Councils: A Practical Guide to Engaging Youth in Policy Making
Published by The Forum for Youth Investment in collaboration with The National League of Cities’ Youth, Education, and Families, and The National Conference of State Legislatures, the Guide is designed to help state and local leaders create or strengthen their own youth councils. It provides a rationale for engaging youth in policy and decision-making processes; describes 6 keys to creating effective youth councils; and provides case stories of youth councils enabling legislation, basic information about a range of youth councils, and other resources.
The State of City Leadership for Children and Families
Recently published by the National League of City’s Institute for Youth, Education, and Families (IYEF), this report highlights the broad range of innovations and trends in municipal leadership to promote child and family well-being, and identifies 32 of the nation's most cutting-edge city strategies to help children and families thrive. It includes a chapter on youth civic engagement.
Sample Youth Commission and Council Charters
City of Lathrop Youth Commission Charter
City of Elk Grove Youth Commission Charter
City and County of San Francisco Youth Commission Charter
Sample Youth Master Plans
The National League of Cities’ Youth, Education and Families Institute has published a new action kit for municipal leaders, Creating A Youth Master Plan. This kit offers tips and advice for cities seeking to develop a shared framework and improve coordination of services and opportunities for children and youth. Here are samples of Youth Master Plans:
City of Elk Grove Youth Master Plan
RSS Feeds