Behavioral Health Youth Advisory Board
The first and only Behavioral Health Youth Advisory board IN THE COUNTRY, participants advocate for collaboration between county, state, and school systems to enhance access to mental health resources and services. Through collaboration with partners, we empower youth to strategize and instigate positive change within their communities. Recognizing that youth possess invaluable lived experiences and perspectives, we aim to enhance their professional growth and equip them with the skills to craft impactful policy briefs.
Radha Chauhan
Chair, District 3
Kai Bzoskie
Vice Chair, District 2
Natanya Kharat
Secretary, District 4
Storm Burgess
District 1
Cloud Peterson
District 4
Jordan Kaitapu
District 5
Youth Advocacy Initiative
Instituted by the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission in 2023, program youths enhance their advocacy skills and mental health literacy knowledge. This statewide network of youth comes from over 30 organizations and county offices of education. PRO hosts monthly virtual training sessions that teach youths about governing bodies, advocacy tactics, and self-care. We finish the program with regional conferences where youths can practice aligning their values and develop recommendations for local leaders.
Youth Engagement Fellowships
PRO employs transitional-aged youths to spend a year immersed in Sacramento County Office of Education departments. This program provides youths an opportunity to expand their professional skill set in the workforce and utilize their lived experience when advising departments. Throughout the program, participants inform the School Board of Trustees about their observations with intent to improve department activities. In this collaboration with SCOE, PRO has found a way to ensure that the changes and improvements made in their system are youth-first.
PRO employs transitional-aged youths to spend a year immersed in Sacramento County Office of Education departments. This program provides youths an opportunity to expand their professional skill set in the workforce and utilize their lived experience when advising departments. Throughout the program, participants inform the School Board of Trustees about their observations with intent to improve department activities. In this collaboration with SCOE, PRO has found a way to ensure that the changes and improvements made in their system are youth-first.
Additional Civic Engagement Programs
- Youth at City Hall
- Summer at City Council
- Yolo Youth Commission
80% agreed or strongly agreed “I am more civically engaged.”
77% agreed or strongly agreed “I feel confident in my leadership skills.”
92% agree they have the power to make a difference in their community
89% feel confident they can now advocate on issues that are important to them