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About Us

Meet the Youth Advisory Board

Youth Advisory Board

AGES 16–25 · STATEWIDE

You lived it. Now help change it.

The Youth Advisory Board is a group of young Nebraskans who've been through the child welfare system and now sit in the rooms where it gets decided. You bring what you know. We get you in the door.

Nebraska's Youth Advisory Board members are emerging young leaders (age 16-25) who advocate for change in Nebraska's child welfare system. Members stay informed about issues affecting Nebraska's transition-aged youth and young adults, collaborate with systems partners and other agencies, organize and host youth leadership events, and plan and lead statewide activities to improve the lives of individuals currently in or transitioning from the child welfare system, as well as those impacted by it.

Applications for membership are accepted biannually in early March and September.

What you’d actually be doing

Say it to the people who can fix it Meet with state agencies and partner organizations and tell them, plainly, what isn’t working for young people in care.
Run the events Plan and host youth leadership events — you pick the topics, you’re on the mic, not sitting in the audience.
Know what’s coming Get the real briefing on the policies and decisions moving in Nebraska before they land on anyone else.
Lead something statewide Build and run campaigns and projects that reach young people across all 93 counties — with a budget and staff behind you.

Who gets in

You’re 16 to 25, you live in Nebraska, and you’ve been through the child welfare system or been close to someone who has.

That’s the whole list. No GPA, no résumé, no experience with boards or meetings or public speaking. If you can say what happened to you and what should be different, you’re qualified.

How to join

01 Fill out the application. It’s short.
02 We’ll reach out for a conversation — not an interview, a conversation.
03 New applications are reviewed twice a year, in March and September.
Missed the window? Tell us you’re interested and we’ll message you when applications open.
The next application window opens in March.
Advisory Board
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