Transition Age Youth Advisory Board Application Purpose: The Transition Age Youth Advisory Board (TAYAB) in partnership with Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services will provide oversight and voice in the development and implementation of setting priorities, monitoring progress and communicating results to transition age youth, families/supporters and professional groups in the delivery of behavioral health care services in Alameda County. History & Objective: When the Transition Age Youth Advisory Board began, it hosted a Family and Friends Reception, participated in national and regional conferences, produced multi‐media projects, developed a series of creativity classes and participated in various community activities. We are looking to continue developing other projects and training opportunities focused on providing a place for youth to improve the TAY System of Care and its services. Membership Requirements: The TAY Advisory Board will be composed of 6 youth representatives between 16‐24 years old from ACBHCS programs (PREP, TIP, STARS TAY, FF STAY, BYA, West Coast Children’s Clinic Catch 21, Youth Uprising Wellness Program, FF Transitions, East Bay Community Recovery Project EPSDT and Casa de la Vida). All members must have had experiences within the behavioral health care system as a consumer in the out‐patient, in‐patient and/or sub‐
acute settings. Some may additionally have experience in the foster care system and/or criminal justice/juvenile justice system. The board will also have 4 adult representatives in the form of family members of TAY in (or were in) our system of care, ACBHCS programs staff and/or former TAY who have graduated from one of the above programs. Members will commit to attending meetings once a month; the 4th Thursday of every month from 5‐7pm in a location to be determined. Roles: Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary Officer positions will serve a one year term with the opportunity to serve a maximum of two years in one or more of these officer positions. All general board members (non‐officer) can serve a maximum of four years on the board. Additionally, youth board members can serve on the board up to their 25th birthday. Benefits: As a member of the TAYAB you will get a chance to meet other TAY, family members of TAY and TAY providers with unique perspectives from all over Alameda County. You will get an opportunity to become a catalyst for change and engage in creative work focused on transition age youth and behavioral health care services. You will also earn money (except for the TAY providers) in the form of stipends while enjoying a healthy wholesome meal. You will learn valuable job skills and work with people that can serve as references for jobs and school. Additionally, if needed, these hours can be used for community service credit hours. Application We encourage you to discuss this form with someone else, if you like. If writing is a hardship, contact your service provider to help you with the application. Please answer the following questions; do not leave any questions blank. 1. How much experience do you have speaking about your personal experience with behavioral health in public or with people you do not know very well? How comfortable do you feel doing this? Please tell us how you can use your life experience to make a positive change for other TAY. 2. Why are you interested in participating/joining/working with the TAYAB? 3. What do you think are the three most pressing issues facing TAY in Alameda County currently in regards to behavioral health issues? How might youth leaders help? 4. Describe the qualities, traits, and skills that a leader should demonstrate. 5. The TAYAB requires attendance at monthly evening meetings and participation in TAYAB activities. If you cannot attend you cannot be on the board. Are you currently employed or in school? If so, where do you work and/or go to school? Are you involved in other extracurricular activities, hobbies, community service projects, community organizations currently and in recent years? If so, please describe. In order to decide where to have meetings, what is your mode of transportation? 6. List any special skills and unique qualities that you possess and describe how these skills/qualities can benefit the TAYAB. 7. List three reasons (skills, attitudes, experiences, etc.) why you would be an effective member of the TAYAB. 8. List what you would like to get out of being a TAYAB member. 9. What do you like best about yourself? 10. Rate your comfort and familiarity with using e‐mail and the internet. None Low Medium High 11. What is the best way to communicate with you/contact you? Telephone Mail Email Text Message Facebook Other 12. To be a YAB member you must have an email account. Are you willing to check your email account every day? Yes No What areas are you interested in working on (select three) Planning and organizing TAYAB events Public speaking TAYAB communication Writing TAYAB newsletter Peer support Adult justice‐related services Juvenile justice‐related services Education/Career/Employment services Drug, alcohol, and tobacco services Gay, lesbian, bi‐sexual, transgender, questioning, 2 spirit issues Homelessness/Housing Out‐of‐home placement (foster care, group home, residential treatment, in‐patient treatment) Cultural diversity/Culturally‐informed best and promising practices Systems integration – courts, juvenile justice, child welfare, substance abuse, child/adult behavioral health Statewide advocacy for TAY behavioral health Signature: ________________________________________________________ Date:_________________ Print Name:_______________________________________ Phone Number:_________________________ Mailing address:__________________________________________________________________________ E‐mail address:____________________________________________________________________________ Mail completed application to: ACBHCS TAY SOC, 2000 Embarcadero Cove, Ste. 400, Oakland, CA 94606