Youth Advocacy Board

YOUTH ADVOCACY BOARD APPLICATION • PRINT FLYER

We are recruiting for our 2025-2026 YOUTH ADVOCACY BOARD [YAB]! *APPLY* This is a leadership program for high school students hosted by YouthWell in partnership with SB County Behavioral Wellness. We are looking for 1-2 students from each public and private school in Santa Barbara County and for diverse representation across ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, & socio-economic status.

Students will learn about mental health issues and how to advocate on their campuses and in their communities. Students will gain leadership tools that include planning, facilitating, public speaking, communication skills, program planning, evaluation and group decision-making.

PROCESS... [1] Apply online by MAY 4th for Santa Maria, Lompoc, Santa Ynez, and Carpinteria [2] Applicants will be called in for a short interview in APRIL/MAY and 1 hour required ORIENTATION in mid MAY [3] Mtgs will start at mid August - 1st in-person meeting on Aug 16 or 23 [4] If you are selected, students and parents will be asked to sign a Commitment Statement.

QUESTIONS: email [email protected] or call/text 805.770.1503

 

YAB APPLICATION >

YAB FAQ's

YAB COMMITMENT

COMMITMENT

TIME

  • YAB members commit to serving on the board for 9 months [Sept-May]8-10 hours/month

MEETINGS

  • 1 monthly virtual meeting
  • 1-2 in-person meetings in your community (South, North, Mid County)
  • YAB members attend monthly virtual training

APPLICATION PROCESS

Starting in 2024... Applications to become a YAB member are accepted year-round (due in May) and successful applicants are appointed in June each year. YAB internship begins in Aug/Sept each year. 

YABis a 10 month commitment (Aug-May) with monthly virtual meetings and additional in-person meetings in your community. 

YAB BENEFITS

YAB MEMBERS WILL LEARN...

  • YAB members learn about current issues and community resources.
    YAB members participate in team-building exercises that build character, improve communication, and reduce prejudice and stigma around mental health. 
  • YAB members design campus campaigns and activities. 
  • YAB members gain leadership tools that include planning, facilitating, public speaking, program planning, evaluation, and group decision-making.
  • YAB serves as an advisory committee to the YouthWell Collaborative and Youth Linkages Network to provide a student voice.
  • YAB members raise awareness and eliminate stigma around mental health by promoting self-care and kindness through connection, prevention, education & outreach activities!
  • YAB members receive COMMUNITY SERVICE hours!

MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION

  • Learn about current issues, how to recognize the warning signs of a mental health challenge, and how to connect someone to available community resources. Receive Teen Mental Health First Aid training.

LEADERSHIP & ADVOCACY TRAINING

  • Participate in team-building exercises that improve communication, build character, and reduce prejudice and stigma around mental health. Strengthen leadership skills by getting experience in program planning, facilitating, public speaking, evaluation, and group decision-making.

COMMUNITY & CAMPUS OUTREACH

  • Help design and implement campus campaigns for your school that bring awareness to mental health, and educate on the warning signs and resources in the community.

Student Summit

Sat, Nov 16, 2024

VIEW CALENDAR TO REGISTER & LEARN MORE >

Hosted by YouthWell and SB County Behavioral Wellness

This is a summit designed for high school students throughout Santa Barbara County who are passionate about learning how to advocate for issues they believe in.

A workshop for high school student leaders (9th-12th grade) to develop leadership and advocacy skills, with a focus on community engagement, eliminating stigma, and prioritizing mental wellness.

Learn to amplify your voice on issues that matter to you from a panel of speakers and by participating in break-out groups with other students throughout SB County. [Registration Form >]

meeting calendar

YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD

2023-2024 MONTHLY YAB MEETING
**transportation provided [in-person meetings] for students in North and Mid County.
**virtual mtgs will be 2-3 hours 1 Sunday a month between 3:30-6:30pm.

  • OCT 8 [virtual]
  • NOV 5 or 12 [IN PERSON - Santa Barbara - includes lunch] 12pm-4pm
  • DEC 3 [virtual]
  • JAN 7 or 21 [virtual]
  • FEB 4 or 25 [IN PERSON - Santa Barbara - includes lunch] 12pm-4pm
  • MARCH 3 or 10[virtual]
  • APRIL 7 or 14 [virtual]
  • MAY 5 or 19 [virtual]

2023-2024 IN-PERSON - LOCAL MEETINGS (in your community - south or mid or north county)

  • DATES TBD - 1-2x per month with your local advisor. 

YAB PORTAL >

YAB TEAM

Ashley_Profile_

Ashley Kelly-Holden

YAB ADVISOR

Michelle_Kurta_Staff

Michelle

YAB ADVISOR

Rachael-300x300-circle

Rachael Steidl

Executive Director & Founder
[email protected]
805.448.2426

STUDENT ADVOCACY & WELLNESS SUMMIT

NOV 16, 2024 • EMBRACE YOUR VOICE
REGISTRATION REQUIRED IN ADVANCE >

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS (9th-12th grade) in Santa Barbara County will develop leadership and advocacy skills and learn to amplify their voices on issues that matter to them while prioritizing their own mental wellness.

 

Learn about the intersections between mental health and...

[1] how we honor our cultural identities, histories, and lived experiences [2] marginalized communities that experience discrimination [3] human rights issues such as environmental issues, food and housing insecurity, farmworker justice, and incarceration/transformative justice

 

Skills-building workshops provide an opportunity to learn new tools including... developing stronger communication, building healthy friendships, practicing digital wellness, art activism, and how to advocate for yourself and others.

 

QUESTIONS: email [email protected] or call 805.770.1503

You can't pour from an empty cup. How do you advocate for yourself so you can advocate for others?

PRINT SUMMIT FLYER >

REGISTER for SUMMIT

DETAILS

SPEAKERS & FACILITATORS...

  • Daniel Segura: CAUSE 805, Organizing Director
  • Ismael Huerta: SBUSD, Youth Outreach Worker               
  • Sara Wilcox: Grace Fisher Foundation, Creative Art Director & Muralist         
  • Kathi King: Community Environmental Council, Director of Climate Education
  • Leandra Harris: Freedom4Youth, Program Director  
  • Abel Salvador Flores: One Community Action, Executive Director
  • Anahi Santos: One Community Action, Youth Wellness Coordinator    
  • Liz Adams: PATH, Regional Director     
  • Anisa Garrett: ILRC, Youth Specialist      
  • Levin Fetzer: LGBTQ+ Advocate 
  • Sven Rundman: UCSB Advocacy & Prevention, Associate Director
  • Stephanie Raya: UCSB Advocacy & Prevention, Prevention Coordinator         
  • Grace Fisher: Grace Fisher Foundation, Founder      
  • Mitch Torina: Lompoc Unified       
  • Kai Krupa: Private Therapist                               
  • Natasha Caleel: Sage Society Founder, Occupational Therapist       
  • Dr Demma Cabral: SBCH Pediatrician
  • Teresa Suarez: Tequio Youth Group Coordinator  
  • Rachael Steidl: YouthWell, Executive Director 
  • Ashley Kelly Holden: YouthWell, Mental Health Educator, YAB Advisor                    
  • Trey Murray, Cassidy Miller: USCB Gauchos for Recovery Program   

 

LOCATION: Direct Relief
6100 Wallace Becknell Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93117

 

TRANSPORTATION: Provided for students & mentors coming from Santa Ynez, Lompoc, and Santa Maria areas. (must register in advance)

 

FEE: $0 [must register by NOV 1, 2024]
Sponsored by SB County Dept of Behavioral Wellness • no cost to attend

 

LUNCH & CONNECTION: Provided

 

EARN COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS:
Receive community service hours if you attend the whole time.

thank you for your support...

We are grateful for the contributions from our local foundations and our community donors & family foundations!