Purpose
The Pennsylvania Youth Summit is a transformative event that aims to empower young people to advocate for youth-focused opioid prevention, substance misuse prevention, and positive mental health resources. An initiative of the Commonwealth Prevention Alliance’s PA Start/Stop Campaigns, this one-day summit, held in the state capital of Harrisburg, PA, will bring together 6-8 passionate and dedicated youth from up to eight local community coalitions across the state.
The summit will equip youth advocates with the knowledge, skills, and platform to effect positive change within their communities through comprehensive online training, face-to-face interactions with legislators, a press conference, media interviews, and mentorship from CPA Collegiate Action Network members. This summit will contribute to a healthier and more resilient future for the youth of Pennsylvania.
Background & Logistics
The Commonwealth Prevention Alliance (CPA) is the foremost voice of prevention in Pennsylvania. It engages with inspiring organizations that share a common goal: to reduce substance misuse and risk-related behaviors among Pennsylvanians. CPA’s mission is to nurture, train, and support professionals who are doing this essential work—understanding that prevention organizations need leaders with integrity, vision, and the ability to get things done.
Empowering Youth Advocacy for Prevention and Positive Mental Health
The PA Youth Summit is committed to empowering young individuals by providing them with the tools to advocate for increased funding and improved access to youth-focused programs supporting opioid and substance use prevention, as well as promoting positive mental health initiatives and strategies. Led by the Commonwealth Prevention Alliance (CPA), the Youth Summit plays a key role in building a healthier future for Pennsylvania’s youth. Prioritizing youth coalition development and fostering statewide collaborations, the summit promotes active participation, reinforcing its commitment to comprehensive youth empowerment and community building
- May 1, 2024, from 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
- A $1,000 stipend will be provided to participating coalitions to help offset associated expenses.
- The summit will be held at the main rotunda, inside the capitol building in Harrisburg, PA
- Up to 8 coalitions/groups will be selected with up to 6-8 youth (approximate) participating
The Commonwealth Prevention Alliance (CPA) is the foremost voice of prevention in Pennsylvania. It engages with inspiring organizations that share a common goal: to reduce substance misuse and risk-related behaviors among Pennsylvanians. CPA’s mission is to nurture, train, and support professionals who are doing this essential work—understanding that prevention organizations need leaders with integrity, vision, and the ability to get things done.
Summit Objectives
- Provide comprehensive advocacy training: Selected participants will receive online advocacy training before the summit, designed to equip them with a deep understanding of the opioid crisis, substance misuse prevention strategies, and the importance of positive mental health. This training, supplemented by mentorship from CPA Collegiate Action Network members, will ensure that participants are well-informed and confident in their advocacy efforts.
- Foster coalition building: The summit will unite youth representatives from up to 10 local community youth coalitions, creating a supportive and collaborative environment for sharing experiences and best practices. Participants will forge meaningful connections and receive guidance from CPA Collegiate Action Network mentors, building a solid network of youth opioid prevention advocates across Pennsylvania.
- Facilitate meetings with PA legislators: One of the main highlights of the summit is the opportunity for youth representatives to meet with Pennsylvania legislators. These meetings will allow participants to directly express their concerns, share personal stories, and advocate for youth-focused initiatives related to opioid prevention, substance misuse prevention, and positive mental health. Participants will amplify their voices and contribute to policy discussions by engaging with lawmakers.
- Conduct a press conference: The summit will include a press conference where youth representatives, withthe support of their CPA Collegiate Action Network mentors, will have the chance to address the media and share their perspectives. This platform will raise public awareness, garner support for their cause, and build the participants’ confidence and public speaking skills.
- Engage in local media interviews: To extend the reach of their message, youth advocates will also participate in local media interviews. Together, they will share personal stories, experiences, and aspirations, shedding light on the urgent need for comprehensive youth-focused initiatives. Through these interviews, they will garner public support, motivate further action, and demonstrate the strength of their mentorship-driven advocacy.
Participating Coalition Expectations
Participating Summit Coalitions will commit to the following:
- Active Coalition Engagement: Actively participate in all summit activities, including training sessions, meetings with legislators, press conferences, and media interviews.
- Training: Ensure that their participants participate in the comprehensive online training provided before the summit, equipping them with a solid understanding of the opioid crisis, substance misuse prevention strategies, and the importance of positive mental health.
- Advocacy Commitment: Passionately advocate for youth-focused initiatives related to opioid prevention, substance misuse prevention, and positive mental health during meetings with legislators and media interactions, ensuring their voices are heard.
- Collaborative Spirit: Foster collaboration and facilitate the exchange of experiences and best practices among coalition members and their participants, building a network of youth advocates across PA.
- Respectful and Professional Conduct: Guide participants to uphold the values of the summit and conduct themselves with respect and professionalism when engaging with legislators, media, and advocates.
- Media Representation: Prepare participants to speak confidently during interviews and press conferences, encouraging them to share personal stories and advocate effectively for the cause.
- Inclusivity Promotion: Emphasize embracing diversity and promoting inclusivity within the summit, fostering an environment where all perspectives and backgrounds are respected.
- Long-term Commitment: Emphasize that the summit is a starting point, and youth coalitions are encouraged to continue their advocacy efforts beyond the event, striving for lasting change in their communities.
Schedule
Participating coalition members should expect to spend a few hours per month between February and May 2024 preparing for the Summit. This time will include scheduled training provided through PA Start/Stop. Some summit participants and their advisors may also be invited to participate in CPA’s Annual Prevention Conference in June.
Important Dates
- January
Coalition Applications Available (January 30th) - February
Coalition Applications Due (February 12th) - March
Virtual Coalition Training (Dates TBD) - April
Virtual Coalition Training (Dates TBD) - May
Youth Summit (May 1st)
CPA Prevention Week (May 13-17) - June
CPA Annual Conference (June 12-14)
Benefits of Participation for Youth
- Empowerment: Participation empowers youth to become active agents of change in their communities by advocating for critical issues like opioid prevention, substance misuse prevention, and positive mental health.
- Leadership Development: It provides opportunities for leadership development, allowing young participants to develop public speaking, advocacy, and networking skills.
- Education: Participants gain in-depth knowledge about the opioid crisis, substance misuse prevention strategies, and the importance of positive mental health through comprehensive online training.
- Civic Engagement: The summit encourages civic engagement as youth engage in face-to-face interactions with legislators, helping them understand the workings of government and how they can make a difference.
- Networking: Participants build a strong network of like-minded peers and mentors from diverse backgrounds, fostering lifelong connections and support systems.
- Advocacy Experience: It offers invaluable advocacy experience by facilitating meetings with lawmakers and media interactions, helping youth learn how to communicate their concerns and ideas effectively.
- Media Skills: Youth have the chance to develop media skills, including speaking confidently in front of cameras and articulating their message to the public.
- Inclusivity: It promotes inclusivity, encouraging youth to embrace diversity and respect different perspectives, an essential skill for effective advocacy.
- Financial Support: Through mini-grants, financial barriers to participation are reduced, ensuring that youth from various economic backgrounds can attend the summit.
- Positive Representation: Participants represent their local youth coalitions and the broader youth population of Pennsylvania, positively showcasing the potential and commitment of young advocates.
- Long-lasting Impact: The summit serves as a launchpad for continued advocacy efforts, inspiring youth to carry their passion for positive change forward in their communities.
- Public Awareness: It raises public awareness about the critical issues of opioid prevention, substance misuse prevention, and positive mental health, making the community more informed and engaged.
- Personal Growth: Youth gain personal growth through increased self-confidence, improved public speaking abilities, and a deeper understanding of complex societal issues.
- Inspiration: It inspires youth to become leaders, change-makers, and advocates for a better future, motivating them to pursue careers and activities that contribute positively to society.
- Community Impact: Ultimately, participation allows youth to be part of a collective effort to create a healthier and more resilient future for the youth of Pennsylvania, making a meaningful impact on their communities.
Applications are Due by 5:00 pm on February 12, 2024.
If you have any questions, please contact CPA’s Executive Director Jeff Hanley: jeff.hanley@paprevention.org