THE YOUTH VOICES PROGRAM

We are the Ventura County Youth Voice's

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We are a diverse team of youth leaders using our lived experience to create system change under the guidance of the Ventura County Parents' Voices. Ventura County Youth Voices is to empower youth who have experienced adversity and want to use their voices to make positive change to strengthen families. Ventura County Youth Voices aims to support systemic change that benefits the youth and families in our communities. By offering a safe and supportive environment, we enable young people to leverage their personal experiences and perspectives to inspire transformation and assist other families facing similar challenges.

Levels of Participation

CORE Member (Ages 18-25)

A Youth CORE (Connections, Opportunities, Resources, Empowerment) member will attend our monthly team gatherings, share their thoughts, and might be invited to help with meetings, training, workshops, providing insight to families, and other exciting opportunities. Compensation will be discussed and approved prior to each opportunity.

Team Member (Age 16-25)

Team members share their insights and attend events when they are available. These members are also entitled to compensation for any Meaningful Engagement Opportunities (MEO) they participate in representing YV!

Youth Navigator (Age 16-25)

A Youth Navigator is a transitional-aged youth (TAY) with lived experience who now helps individuals or families in need. For instance, if they were in foster care, they could help someone else or a family going through a similar situation.

Youth Participant

A Youth Participant are youth and family members living in our community who attend the workshops and activities led by youth. We ask our CORE and team members to encourage other youth in our area to join these events.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Meaningful Engagement Opportunity (MEO)?

A Meaningful Engagement Opportunity is an event or meeting that involves TAY with lived experience providing input, feedback, suggestions, ideas, etc. By using their voice to help strengthen families in our community.

Do I get paid for Participating in the MEO’S?

Yes!! Compensation in form of gift cards will be offered to MEO Participants.

What is an External Meaningful Engagement Opportunity (External MEO)?

An External MEO is an opportunity for a Youth Navigator to help an outside agency. This could be a group or person who wants the Youth Navigator's insight to make important decisions and create change within the community. The request by the agency will be given to which Youth Navigator that is the best fit. Before agreeing to an MEO, the Youth Navigator will be given compensation details.

What is the Care Navigation program?

The Care Navigation Program is part of our Youth Voices of Ventura County, a Partnership for Safe Families division. This program helps individuals with lived experience throughout the community. Doctors, community members, and agencies can refer someone who needs extra support to the Care Navigation Program. Our goal is to connect people with the right resources in the community. When we get a referral, our Care Coordinator and Youth Voices Coordinator bring together a team. They will then collect information and offer support using their own experiences and helpful input. The special thing about this program is the "warm handoff," where we make sure the person or family gets connected to resources before we finish helping them. We also go back to the person who suggested the help to tell them what resources were given.

How Will the Youth Voices Contribute to the Care Navigation Process?

Youth Voices will provide youth insight in the CARE Navigation process alongside a Parent Navigator. Youth will be assigned based on compatibility, this is an MEO!!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Social Connections