Youth Engagement
Partnering with Young People to Advance their Health
We believe that healthy youth lead productive, healthy adult lives and positively impact the school-based health centers of their community. And, that young people hold the expertise about what their healthcare should look like.
Youth Advisory Board
Youth Healthcare Alliance launched our third youth advisory board in fall 2025 with the recruitment of high school students. This board will serve as the opportunity for youth engagement in our work, namely in the following areas:
Advocacy
Young people can make change in policy that impacts them. We plan to educate them on the state legislative process and connect them with the lawmakers who represent them. Our vision is to elevate the youth voice in the process about the very policies that impact them.
Advancing School-Based Healthcare
As communities continue to support school-based healthcare or explore new ways of providing healthcare, we want to ensure that young people directly shape what this should look like for them.
Strategic Planning
Youth Healthcare Alliance is committed to integrating youth voices in the structure of our organization. This vision includes providing meaningful opportunities for the Youth Advisory Board to guide projects, materials, and work.
Equity
As Youth Healthcare Alliance strives to continuously become a more equitable organization and support school-based clinics in doing the same, we need to listen and have tough conversations about what that looks like in young people’s minds.
Welcome to our 2026-27 Youth Advisory Board members!
Meet the YAB and hear why it is important for youth to advocate for healthcare:
Aarna is from Colorado Springs who says: "Youth experience healthcare differently whether it be mental health, reproductive health, substance use. With youth participation, that healthcare is properly informed."
Smrithi is from Lafayette who says: "advocacy allows us to push for a system that's more accessible, inclusive, and reflective of the needs of our generation."
Audrey, also from Lafayette, shares: "No one else has the perspective that we do; therefore, it is up to us to speak for those who may not be able to since the healthcare is unavailable to them."
Hema is from Parker who says "By speaking up, we improve access to care, support mental health resources, and create healthier futures for our generation."
Ritvi from Boulder says: "Our voices give fresh perspective that is sometimes overlooked. With our view on the issues that youth face, we provide insight that help change traditional policies."
Heidi from Frisco says: "Without youth input, the true need of youth is lost." She believes the system needs to be directly informed and shaped by those directly affected.
Ayushmaan from Colorado Springs says "Youth are the future. We are going to be leaders of the world. Giving us a voice now will give us the confidence to use our voice forever to drive social changes."
Thanh from Littleton believes that: "Youth face distinct health challenges that older generations might not have experienced or will prioritize, especially as society changes and technology changes."
Rhea from Lafayette says: "Youth have a fresh outlook on innovative solutions; we contribute raw, creative solutions made based on need rather than fitting into the status quo."
Brandon (left) from Pueblo and Maliya (right) from Broomfield will serve as Alumni Coordinators, leaning on their experience in serving on the YAB. They will serve as facilitators and near-peer mentors to the YAB members.
Brandon says: "It is important for youth to be at the table where decisions about their future are being made. Having youth in the same room with people in power means they can find solutions that help the next generation of Colorado leaders."
Maliya says: "Youth advocating for healthcare is one of the most important things they can do as it allows them to have an active role in their own healthcare and policies directly impacting them."
Ayushmaan from Colorado Springs says "I am passionate about healthcare advocacy and leadership. This opportunity will allow me to use my voice to work on community outreach and educate youth while enacting positive change."
