Annual Conference
April 28-29, 2026
View information about the conference for your planning and register today.
​
Support the event and receive generous marketing benefits for your group
​
2026 Keynote Speaker
Heather Kennedy is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Community & Behavioral Health at the Colorado School of Public Health. Dr. Kennedy is the Director of the Hub for Youth Engagement, which houses grant and contract-funded projects to amplify the voices of young people to create community change through participatory inquiry and organizing. The flagship offering of the Hub is UpRISE, Colorado’s youth tobacco control movement. In each offering, her team provides coaching for adults to build authentic partnerships with youth. Dr. Kennedy has led dozens of youth leadership groups and YPAR projects with middle, high school, and college-aged youth.
Heather started in public health as a 16-year-old participant in a youth tobacco control movement and has since been a stalwart advocate for ensuring that youth can exercise the full power of their voices.
Location & Stay Information
Conference Location & Hotel Information
Courtyard by Marriott, Denver Cherry Creek
1475 S. Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80222
​
​
Please note that CDPHE will be hosting sessions for grantees at the nearby CDPHE offices on April 30th.
Planning to Stay Overnight from April 27-May 1, 2026?
We have a block of courtesy rooms at the Courtyard on first-come, first-serve basis via this link or via phone at 303-757-8797 (with a reference to YHA).
This block is available until April 6, after which point, the hotel may honor any available rooms at the discounted rate upon request. If you have any issues, please reach out to Mariana at YHA.
Conference Details for Attendees
​​​​Final agenda is now live! This year's conference will have a different general format than years past. The general format for 2026 is as follows:
-
April 28 - YHA's Conference begins in the afternoon for half-day at Courtyard
-
April 29 - YHA's Conference continues for full day
-
April 30 - CDPHE grantees will convene at CDPHE offices down the street from Courtyard for all-grantee meeting in the morning and SBIRT MITEY training in the afternoon
​
Conference pricing is as follows:
-
Non-member rate: $185
-
Member rate: $165*
-
Speaker rate: $135
-
Group rate (per 6 individuals from same organization): $850
​
*YHA encourages all organizations to renew their YHA membership for 2026 as soon as possible in order to access conference discount codes before the time of conference registration. Any discounts not taken will be received as a donation for Youth Healthcare Alliance -- we do not have the capacity to administer partial refunds.
​
​​Attendees will be able to receive continuing medical education and continuing education (CME/CEs) credits through Weitzman Institute for various professional associations. Details for submitting for CME/CE and obtaining documentation for them will be provided as part of the conference program. (Note: CME/CEs are not provided for CDPHE-hosted sessions after the YHA conference concludes on April 29).
Call for Nominations: Inspiration Awards
Every year, Youth Healthcare Alliance (YHA) recognizes outstanding school-based healthcare providers and partners who are tirelessly working to ensure youth have access to the healthcare they need. From the clinic front desk staff, medical assistants, to school leaders and community advisory board members, these folks play an important role in our school-based clinics and often don't get the recognition they deserve. You can thank them, and other SBHC staff and champions, for their work by nominating them for a YHA Inspiration Award. Nominations are now open and will be awarded at the YHA Annual Conference. Nominations are due by March 20, 2026.
​
​
Become a Sponsor
​​We made it easy for you to become a Sponsor with an online form!
If you are interested in a custom package or need other information about sponsorship, please contact Aubrey Hill, Executive Director.
We appreciate your participation and your sponsorship means a lot to us!
See how each package can benefit your organization.
​
View the full sponsorship packet here.
