Youth 'n Action is a youth group that involves young people in public policy and empowers them through partnership with professionals who respect their input. The group's mission is to advocate for youth issues and promote their involvement in decision-making processes, emphasizing the importance of youth expertise. The document highlights the necessity of meaningful partnerships, youth-friendly practices in meetings, and compensating youth for their contributions to ensure their voices are heard in transformative efforts.

1. Youth Pride Youth Power Youth Voice Youth 'N Action!

2. Enthusiastic ways to share power and build partnerships

3. What is Youth ‘N Action? Youth ‘N Action is a youth group that involves youth voice in public policy. It is a partnership between youth and professionals where youth are compensated for their efforts and contributions in the system of care. Professionals respect the opinions of youth at the meetings and a youth vote is as powerful as an adult vote.

4. VISION Our vision is a community and system of care where youth culture and youth voice is recognized and respected in policy design through implementation . Mission Our mission is to bring youth issues to the attention of policy makers, professionals, youth friendly adults and other youth involved in the system of care. This promotes understanding and action by community leaders through utilization of youth expertise Youth 'N Action!

5. Why should you listen to, Involve and Respect us?

6. Because We Believe! We believe you can benefit from our expertise in the systems that serve us We believe you can become culturally competent (in youth culture that is!) We believe that you want the best for us!

7. Partnership is a Must! We must partner with each other not patronize each other We must not use acronyms, abbreviations, or slang that others can not understand We must build bridges not burn them We must accept our limitations and build on our strengths

8. What does “Partner” mean to you? What are pros and cons of partnership? Who do you think will benefit from a youth partnership? How do you see youth involved in the transformation process? (white paper)

9. Close encounters of the unhelpful kind… In meetings sometimes we get bored, feel uncomfortable don’t know what to do with our hands or wonder how did we get here anyway? It isn’t helpful when you invite us to a meeting and there isn’t room for us to participate.

10. In policy meetings it doesn’t work for me when: Comments are made about how I dress or talk There is no food at the meeting The food in not youth friendly—if I never see another bagel it will be too soon! Meetings are not at youth friendly times I am not compensated for my efforts

11. Sometimes trying new things is not always pleasant but it can be good Curt trying Pho for the first time

12. The three “c”s of Compensation Community Service Hours School Credit CASH BABY!

13. Youth Professional Partnership Partner with youth Compensate them for their time Youth friendly meeting times Share Resources Provide Training Anything else? Action Steps:

14. It looks like we have a long way to go…

15. Sometimes it seems like the big guy always wins...

16. But all professionals do not look alike

17. And we know all youth and families do not look alike What is normal anyway??

18. Partnership can get messy….

19. In the end.. You make the difference In the end we have to remember why we are doing the work and we have to decide what compromises we are willing to make, to make this partnership work.

20. This is why we do what we do... This is the future!

23. To really transform systems, you must have active, respected voices of youth that have been involved in the systems you are trying to transform. Always Present & Always Heard!

24. OK, Now lets get real. What does it take to resource, design, maintain,sustain and encourage youth voice in transforming the systems that serve them?