Youth Advisory Councils Action Plans

At a glance

  • Action plans guide the work of Youth Advisory Councils (YACs).
  • Action plans are a critical step for YACs as they prioritize needs and develop solutions.
  • Action plans identify the issues to address, goals to achieve, and steps to reach those goals.

Overview

An adult moderator with seated high school students gathered around a student standing and speaking to them.
Youth Advisory Councils work to improve the lives of young people in a school district.

One example of the work of a Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is developing a sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing campaign. To create an STI campaign, the YAC would engage the entire school community.

YACs also may recommend new school policies, or improvements to existing policies. Young people often have innovative ideas for creating change. An action plan helps turn those ideas into reality.

Action plans engage YAC members and ensure that activities are having the desired effects. If you do not know where to start, the SMART framework can help guide you. Your YAC can use the sample action plan as a template when creating your specific action plan.

Developing action plans

Action Plan Basics
Youth Advisory Council action plans should address the important issues that support a YAC mission.
Sample Action Plan
An action plan written and implemented by student members of a fictional Youth Advisory Council.
SMART Framework
The SMART framework can help Youth Advisory Councils develop goals and action plans with results.
Deciding Which Issue to Address
Decision-making on potential Youth Advisory Council issues.
Deciding Who Can Help
Including people who care about and be affected by the Youth Advisory Council plans.
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Content Source:
Division of Adolescent and School Health; National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion