Full course description
About the Course
Supporting the positive development of youth through leadership opportunities is the central goal of a youth council. This course explores that goal in action through a case study of the Greene County Youth Health Council in Greene County, Indiana, highlighting how youth engagement and leadership development can be effectively implemented.
Module 1: Importance of Youth-Led Engagement: This module addresses the foundational elements of building an effective youth council by clarifying individual responsibilities within various roles. It emphasizes the importance of fostering empowerment and trust among youth, while also developing an authentic youth voice as a central responsibility of youth workers.
Module 2: Recruitment, Building a Culture, and Evaluation: This module addresses the essential steps for launching and sustaining a successful youth-led initiative, beginning with recruiting youth and establishing a strong, inclusive culture. It guides you through the process of creating a clear mission and goals, developing a strategic action plan, and evaluating the effectiveness of youth-led programs to ensure continuous growth and impact.
Module 3: Reflection, Resources, and References: This module provides a reflection on the impact of the Greene County Youth Health Council and offers you further resources and references for beginning your own youth council.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Identify the benefits of youth-led efforts.
- Outline key components to creating a mission statement and goals for youth councils.
- Create and implement an evaluation plan.
Meet the Team
- Dr. Deborah Getz, CYC-P, Associate Clinical Professor, IU School of Public Health-Bloomington
- Malea Huffman, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, Purdue Extension
- Kayla Smock, Healthy Community Ambassador - Purdue Extension