Are you a young person interested in impacting state government? 

The New York Governor's Youth Council will increase participatory democracy by involving 62 young people – one youth from each county – to advise Governor Cuomo and state and local policy makers on key issues facing young people and on outreach and communication strategies. The Association of NYS Youth Bureaus has been selected as the vendor to coordinate this effort with the assistance of county youth bureaus through a grant with NYS OCFS. 

The Youth Council will provide policy recommendations on education, youth violence, the opioid crisis, juvenile justice, environmental justice, cyberbullying and civic engagement. It will address issues that are of relevance to young women and girls, including sexual assault and harassment, female empowerment, economic opportunity and wage parity.

The Youth Council will be run by youth, ages 13 to 21, who will develop its organizational structure and prioritize key issues and its members will gain hands-on experience in the democratic process. The members will serve two-year terms. Once selected, the Youth Council will convene in Albany for orientation and training and will then be divided into regional teams to focus on specific policy issues.

Interested youth must submit an application through an online portal, which includes an essay and a video demonstrating their interest in one of the council’s focus areas. Candidates will be selected based on their character, leadership skills, academic achievement, civic engagement and community services. 

Youth may apply at . To view the application, click here. The deadline for submission is December 9th. 
https://nysylc.secure-platform.com/a/solicitations/home/1