The Tennessee Department of Health partners with Family Voices of Tennessee to seat a Youth Advisory Council (YAC). The YAC is a virtual group of young people (ages 14-24) with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or special healthcare needs who meet each quarter to discuss issues around healthcare, transition, and self-advocacy. This is an excellent chance for our youth to learn while gaining valuable experience using their voices to shape change at the state level. It is also an excellent networking opportunity since the YAC is co-facilitated by Jack Blanda (Family Voices of TN Youth Coordinator), Kendra Mitchell (TN Department of Health), and LEND trainees from Vanderbilt University’s Kennedy Center.
The Tennessee Department of Health is excited about diversifying their group by reaching across the state of Tennessee and building a council that accurately reflects our community. We welcome youth of all languages and modes of communication, races and ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations and gender identities, abilities, and socio-economic statuses.
Applications can be emailed to Jack Blanda, who can also answer any questions you may have, jack_b@tndisability.org.
Youth are welcome to visit the YAC to see what goes on at a meeting too! The next meeting is June 14th at 5:30pm.
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