Youth Advisory Councils and School-Based Health Centers
August 2026
A Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is a diverse group of students who partner with school-based health center (SBHC) staff to provide youth voice, leadership, and lived experience to SBHC decision-making. YAC members serve as key informants on the health and wellness needs of their peers, help shape SBHC programs and services, and lead projects that address barriers to health, well-being, and access to care within their schools and communities.
This guide provides an overview of YACs, describes five steps to follow when launching or supporting a YAC, and includes example budgets, interview questions, and YAC guidelines.
From the guide - Five steps to forming a YAC
Establish a foundation
1
1
Recruit a diverse group of youth
2
Establish how the YAC will operate
3
Set priorities and take action
4
Evaluate, celebrate, and sustain the YAC
5
Additional resources
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About Youth Advisory Councils Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
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Creating & Sustaining a Thriving Youth Advisory Council: A Collection of Youth Experiences
& Recommendations Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) & University of Michigan Health System’s Adolescent Health Initiative (AHI) -
Creating Youth Advisory Councils: Lessons Learned by Youth and Adults Kaiser Permanente & Colorado Education Initiative
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Empowering Students through Health-Focused Youth Advisory Councils (YACs) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH), & American Institutes for Research (AIR)
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Youth Health Hub School-Based Health Alliance
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Lead the Way: Engaging Youth in Health Care School-Based Health Alliance
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Youth development Ohio case studies School-Based Health Alliance, No Kid Hungry, The MetroHealth System, and Nationwide Children's Hospital