P4P Youth Advisory Councils
We are Developing the Next Generation of Young Leaders
Partnerships for Permanence develops and trains young people ages (18 and older) with lived experience and/or expertise in the child welfare system. Our programs develop young leaders to transform multiple systems of care. We train and hire our P4P program participants to serve as youth advisory council members for Ramsey and Hennepin Counties.
Eligible participants will be trained and managed by P4P Staff to:
Prepare/rehearse and co-facilitate with P4P staff workshops, trainings, and events.
Participate in P4P internal and external systems change advisory group/committee meetings such as YAC, YEAG, and mental health collaborative network etc.
Participate in recruitment events and community engagement/awareness outreach opportunities.
Participate in ongoing LCS training development and mentorship programs.
P4P Youth Advisory Council Members
P4P and Hennepin County Youth Advisory Council (YAC)
The P4P Youth Advisory Council (YAC) serves as a safe space for young people with lived experience within Hennepin County CFS to provide meaningful input, shape programming, and collaborate with Hennepin county staff, managers, and directors to improve policies and practices.
YAC Members meet every Third Thursday of every month from 3:00 - 6:00 pm for virtual and in-person meetings. YAC activities includes leadership development, peer learning, and opportunities for young people to build skills in communication, advocacy, and decision-making. Members participate in training, community engagement, and system-experience activities.
Watch the video below to learn more about Hennepin County YAC. To apply to become a YAC member, click the apply button below. For more information, click the contact us button.
YAC Program Benefits:
Overall, the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) empowers young leaders to use their lived experience as a tool for meaningful change, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and voice needed to influence systems and advocate for themselves and their peers.
YAC members demonstrate increased confidence, self-advocacy skills, and system-navigation abilities.
Consistent engagement in leadership development, system-focused training, and hands-on learning opportunities.
Deepen their understanding of legal processes through court observation and direct conversations with judges, resulting in awareness of how to effectively engage in the justice system.
Improve long-term employment readiness by addressing barriers and increasing self-esteem.
Strengthen sense of purpose and community responsibility by assembling care packages for homeless young people, fostering empathy, teamwork, and service-oriented leadership.
P4P and Ramsey County Youth Engagement Advisory Group (YEAG)
P4P Youth Engagement Advisory Group (YEAG) brings together Ramsey County youth and young adults, parents, staff, and community leaders who are connected to the social services and juvenile justice systems. The group’s mission is to create a long-term, sustainable strategy for youth engagement across county departments, particularly within child protection and juvenile justice systems.
Members work to identify challenges that limit meaningful youth participation and develop practical strategies to overcome them. They also advise Ramsey County on policy, structural, and procedural changes to ensure that services are more equitable and effective
Youth Resource Fair Planning
P4P Young leaders gain leadership and teamwork experience by contributing ideas and taking on leadership roles in planning the Youth Resource Fair.
P4P Young leaders are actively involved from the initial planning stages through the execution of the event.
Young People actively engage in the fair to access housing, career, educational, mental health, and medical resources.
Young people receive products to take home from the hair care and skin care workshops.
Young people receive professional and school-appropriate clothing to support their personal and educational development.
Quarterly YEAG Meeting
Internal and external partners, along with P4P young leaders come together to brainstorm event ideas, identify barriers to youth engagement, and discuss strategies for youth retention.
The meetings also provides a space for sharing information about upcoming events, job opportunities, and resources to support young people, while fostering connections and collaboration among each other.
Impact:
Increased youth leadership in community events.
Strengthened skills in teamwork, planning, and problem-solving.
Improved access to essential resources, professional attire, and personal care products.
Enhanced connections between young people, partners, and community resources, supporting long-term engagement and opportunity.
