Seeking Teens and Young Adults for Our Youth Advisory Council
The council is a great opportunity to share your voice and help improve transition support for youth across Illinois.
Calling all teens and young adults with special healthcare needs in Illinois!
Would you like to make a difference? Your voice can help shape programs and services for youth like you across the state.
We are looking for new members to join our Youth Advisory Council (YAC).
The YAC is an opportunity to share your feedback and help improve planning for the transition to adulthood. You can also strengthen your leadership skills and connect with other youth.
As a YAC member, you can:
- Learn about and help improve how the transition to adulthood works for Illinois youth with special healthcare needs
- Help us gain a better understanding of your and your peers’ transition needs
- Give a voice to what matters most to you
- Gain valuable leadership and advocacy experience
- Expand your network
The council is open to all Illinois youth ages 15 to 24 with special healthcare needs.
You do not need to be a Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) participant to join.
How to Join and Learn More
Members must complete an online application to join. (The application is also available in Spanish.)
Visit our Youth Advisory Council page for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.
You can also see the YAC flyer for more details:
If you have questions, please contact Claire Cook, DSCC’s Title V Program Transition Specialist, at clairer3@uic.edu or (800) 322-3722, ext. 21812.
Your perspective matters!
New Youth Advisory Council for Teens and Young Adults With Special Healthcare Needs
An opportunity for youth to help improve transition support and make a difference!
Youth with special healthcare needs should have a big role in shaping their future and helping improve support for others.
We want to hear from teens and young adults about what’s important and helpful to them as they plan for the future. Our new Youth Advisory Council is a great opportunity for them to share their input and make a difference.
The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is a diverse, youth-driven group that aims to develop more youth-focused ways to help individuals and families with transition planning, resources and services.
The YAC’s goal is to support positive outcomes in adulthood for all Illinois youth with special healthcare needs in the areas of:
- Employment
- Health care
- Independence
- Quality of life
The YAC’s role is to:
- Bring a different and personal perspective on issues important to youth.
- Partner with the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) to help develop more youth-focused methods to enhance care coordination.
- Develop strategies to improve communication between youth/young adults and older adults.
Members participate in four virtual meetings per year.
Who is Eligible to Join the YAC?
The YAC is open to youth with special healthcare needs who are:
- Ages 15 to 24
- Living in Illinois
- Planning for the transition to adulthood in the areas of education, health care, employment and home and community-based support
Youth do not have to be a DSCC participant to join the council.
How to Join and Learn More
Members must complete an online application to join. (The application is also available in Spanish.)
Visit our Youth Advisory Council page for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.
You can also see the YAC flyer for more details:
If you have questions, please contact Claire Cook, DSCC’s Title V Program Transition Specialist, at clairer3@uic.edu or (800) 322-3722, ext. 21812.