Policy Leadership Program

School Based Health Care | HEAC Initiative | Statewide Youth Board on Obesity Prevention

Our Policy Leadership Programs (PLP) support youth engaged alongside adults in a full range of policymaking processes. Youth recruited, trained and supported by the California Center conduct surveys and focus groups, consult with experts, testify at hearings, attend and present at high-level policy conferences, participate in advocacy campaigns and planning and reform processes, make grants, evaluate programs and serve on boards, committees and commissions. Our health-related PLP programs are the most highly developed. Others have focused on educational reform, land-use policy, housing and transportation, campaigns and elections, and jobs and the economy. These fast growing programs have attracted dozens of partners ranging from the California State Legislature, the Foundation Consortium, the California Department's of Health and Education, the Local Government Commission, School Districts, the American Planners Association; as well as financial support from the Robert Wood Johnson, California Endowment and California Wellness Foundations. Our partners share our belief that youth engagement can improve the outcome of the policymaking process while developing healthy and competent youth.