Polk County Public Health Youth Advisory Board
The Polk County Public Health Youth Advisory Board (YAB) empowers high school students to play an active role in improving the health and well-being of their communities. The board provides a platform for young people to share their perspectives, collaborate with public health professionals, and influence initiatives that address local health priorities.
YAB members serve as youth leaders and advocates, helping to shape programs and policies that promote healthier lifestyles, stronger communities, and greater awareness of public health issues across Polk County. Through their involvement, students develop leadership skills, gain valuable public health experience, and inspire their peers to take part in building a healthier future.
Board Members (Appointed in 2024)
- Halle - Crookston
- Jade - Climax
- Ada - Climax
- Annalise - Sacred Heart
- Lexi - Fosston
- Addison - East Grand Forks
- Sofie - Fertile
- Maci - Win-E-Mac
Board Members (Appointed in 2025)
- Julia - East Grand Forks
- Skylar - Fertile-Beltrami
- Emily - Fisher
- Kinley - Fisher
- Makenzie - Fisher
- Clara - Win-E-Mac
- Abigail - Fosston
- Lauren - Sacred Heart
- Leah - Crookston
History
In 2018 The Polk County Board of Commissioners approved the formation of a Youth Advisory Board (YAB) under Polk County Public Health (PCPH). This is a permanent Youth Advisory Board under Polk County Public Health with members representing high schools from throughout Polk County.
What is the Youth Advisory Board (YAB)
The YAB provides a vehicle for young people in Polk County to become involved in governmental public health services, merging civic engagement and leadership development for high school students. By engaging youth in our agency’s policies, practices and procedures, we bring new energy, information, and knowledge into our mission-based work through youth-targeted, age and gender-sensitive interventions. As part of developing future leaders of our communities, youth will plan, implement, and reflect on limited yet meaningful programming determined by the YAB.
The YAB will
- Be Youth Led, developing leadership skills, including parliamentary procedure, Strength's finder-based leadership, and Public Health 101.
- Hold consistent, structured meetings, providing feedback on particular health and youth issues.
- Plan, implement, and reflect on meaningful projects. YAB will research, develop, and implement projects (at least one annually) that will help to achieve greater awareness and change.
- Focus on community building, projects will allow the YAB member to be creative and add value to the school and community settings.
- Be a safe place for youth to have open discussions.
- If you have questions about the YAB, contact us.
Membership
The YAB will:
Seek a diverse representation of youth in race, socioeconomic status, age, life experiences and formal/ informal leadership skills. ·
- Have 16-20 members from youth attending high schools in Polk County (est. two students from each school). Goal is to have representation from all school districts in Polk County.
- Grade requirement ranges from 9th - 12th grade. Recruitment for new members will be grades 9th - 11th grade.
- Formal application process with recommendations from Public Health to the Polk County Board, board appointed membership and youth members will serve a two-year position.
- Members will be eligible for a $25 per diem when attending YAB meetings.
- Transportation plan will be established for each school/student.
YAB Member Roles and Responsibilities
- Attend all meetings or notify YAB Coordinators if unable to attend. {Regular meetings will be scheduled four times during the school year. Two excused absences will be allowed, if more the YAB Coordinator may dismiss YAB member).
- Lead or actively participate in meeting discussions and decision-making processes
- Elect Chair and/ or Co-Chairs following the recommended meeting guidelines
- Designate a recording secretary to keep meeting minutes
- Participate in leadership p building activities and/ or events
- Execute outreach activities within the community of Polk. County
- Act as representative of PCPH YAB
- Maintain current enrollment in a Polk County School
- Maintain communication with their school related to excused absences
- Provide a current email account that will be checked regularly during the school year for meeting announcements and updates
