Framework and Structures in the Field of Youth Policy
nities, regions, schools, organizations, and states. Each Council typically has fifteen to twenty-five members.
young people at the local level. Council members are ex - pected to advocate on these issues and initiatives and recommend avenues by which to improve the issue – such as with reference to school safety, anti-discrimina - tion or raising funds for a new soccer field. They also act as a communication link between the local government and the young people of their community. Finally, they promote and recognize the abilities, accomplishments, and contributions of young people in their communities, and organize and participate in service-learning projects that benefit a community. A Small Sampling of Youth Policy by State While every state has different levels and extents of youth policy and programming, a few states will show the range of youth policy that can exist by state. In gene - ral, social policies are implemented at the state and local government level, as opposed to the national level. Individual cities and towns, as well as localized non-profit organizations can often fill the gap of youth support and programming when it does not exist at the state or fe - deral level.
Youth Councils work to coordinate, advise, and activa - te peers and elders in issues affecting young people. The Council acts as a positive, influential, and energetic voice in affecting policies, and solutions to local pro - blems. Youth Councils are found in many segments of society. To be successful, a Youth Council must be ca - refully thought out in everything from its purpose to its role in city government, to its membership. Every city is unique and the Youth Council must be tailored to fit a community’s needs. Young people, who are typically in high school, are al - lowed to join the Youth Councils. Further, because the Youth Councils are usually tied to municipal leaders, they are required to reside in the city or town where they resi - de. Youth who are selected to join the Youth Council also usually must maintain a certain grade point average, for those still in school, and come to the Council through recommendations from school and community leaders.
Youth Councils typically provide ongoing and direct in - put on government policies and practices that may affect
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