VWA4 - Developing a Youth Advisory Council for Youth with Special Health Care Needs: Development, Implementation, and Lessons Learned

*This session will be held over Zoom. The link will be available during the conference.*

Youth with special health care needs (YSHCN) are often left out of the equation when planning for the health care transition. This workshop will outline how Iowa’s Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) program developed and implemented their first formal Youth Advisory Council for YSCHN and siblings of YSHCN, as well as sharing lessons learned and recommendations for others planning to develop youth councils. This workshop will highlight the importance of developing youth leadership and advocacy skills and how youth can make a direct impact on Title V programs. Methods for engaging youth and community stakeholders in all steps of the council planning process and how feedback directly impacted council activities will also be shared.