Youth in Local Government


*GIF Staff:* Dean Katerndahl Program Director Rita Parker Regional Purchasing Cooperative Program Coordinator	MARC Home > Government Innovations Forum > Projects > Youth in Local Government “We will not mysteriously learn how to fulfill our civic duties the day we turn 18.” This adept observation comes from a high school student taking part in a youth leadership program in Michigan, and it is a valuable lesson for educators and local government officials to remember. For the health and well-being of our communities and our region, it is imperative that our youth better understand their future roles as active citizens, and it is through in-class lessons and after-school involvement that children will learn how to make a difference in their local communities. *How can you help?* MARC has worked with cities and school districts to get a better understanding of what activities are currently available to the region's youth and how local governments can provide more opportunities for youth involvement. This Web page is a resource to help educators and local government officials develop those opportunities. You'll find links to programs in the Kansas City region and across the nation that provide excellent examples of how cities and schools can create programs that take advantage of the fresh perspectives and energy young people bring to civic involvement. Youth Program Development Guides • Regional Success Stories Success Stories from Other Regions • Articles • Worksheets *Practical lessons for creating a successful youth program:* PARTNERSHIP: Create a partnership between school districts and local governments. The most successful projects have been developed jointly with enthusiasm and resources from both groups. POLICY: Make youth engagement an important part of your community’s policy. Leaders should emphasize that youth activities are a priority for the community by dedicating resources and staff time to making opportunities for young people possible. FOLLOW THROUGH: After making a commitment to youth participation, a city needs to develop a meaningful forum for action. Communities should tailor the programs so that they provide real opportunities for engagement. Young people need to know their opinions are being treated with respect and will not be dismissed out of hand. LEADERSHIP: Help local officials better understand how to work with youth councils and how to speak effectively in classrooms, and create opportunities for leadership development among young people. Vocal and visible leaders of the community need to be active advocates of any youth programs. Please contact Dean Katerndahl for more information about Youth in Local Government efforts in the region.

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