Central Region Youth Advisory Board Information
The Central Region Youth Advisory Board meets every third Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the month in Peoria, Springfield and Urbana from 6 to 8 p.m.
- Monday - Peoria Field Office, 2001 NE Jefferson, Peoria, Illinois 61603
- Tuesday - Primed For Life Offices, 816 South College, Springfield, Illinois 62704
- Wednesday - University of Illinois School of Social Work, 1010 West Nevada
The meetings are conducted according to Roberts Rules of Order and provide a learning experience for all who attend. An agenda allows everyone to follow the meetings and know exactly what is going on and what will happen next. An Ice Breaker opens the meetings with a fun activity that puts all at ease. There are always opportunities to ask questions and to participate or you can just watch and observe. Dinner is provided at all the meetings and the menu is decided on by youth during their weekly planning meetings (chicken, pizza, sub sandwiches and salads are just some of the selections). A part of the agenda called "Youth Corner" allows youth to talk openly about whatever they wish and most staff leave the room during this time. Youth are encouraged to work to become officers and grow their leadership skills.
If you know anyone that may be interested, please bring them. If you plan to attend or need transportation please contact the Primed for Life staff:
Nancy Collins: 217-789-2980 or ncollins@primed4life.org
Leshonda Rogers: 217-789-2980 or lrogrs@primed4life.org
Cook County Regional Youth Advisory Board Meeting Information
The Cook County Regional Youth Advisory Board meetings are held every third Thursday of the month from 5:45 to 8 p.m. The meetings are conducted at 1911 S. Indiana, 10th Floor in Chicago. After a youth attends the first meeting, transportation to subsequent meetings will be provided by Be Strong Families.
This meeting is a formal meeting convened by the president of the Regional Youth Advisory board and other officers. The regional advisory board meeting provides a learning experience for all who attend with support from adult partnerships. An agenda is utilized to allow participants the opportunity for everyone to follow the meeting’s format and know exactly what is going on and what will happen next.
The meetings open with a fun ice-breaker activity that tends to put many youth at ease. There are always opportunities to ask questions, participate, watch and observe. Dinner is provided at the meeting and the menu is decided on by staff and youth during their weekly planning sessions, via teleconference. Food selections are often chicken, pizza, sub sandwiches or salads, just to name a few!
There is an a part of the agenda called "Youth Issues and Concerns" which allows youth to talk openly about whatever they wish and most staff leave the room during this time. Youth are encouraged to become one voice and advocate for other youth in care.
If you know anyone that may be interested, please bring them. If you plan to attend, or need transportation to the meeting, please contact Be Strong Families.
To R.S.V.P. or for more information, contact:
Northern Region Youth Advisory Board Information
RYAB guests and members receive professional and personal development training every other month. Members can increase their professionalism and enhance their self-sufficiency skills by receiving interactive, useful and motivational training from our skilled providers. Through a partnership between Successful Youth Equals Successful Adults (SYESA), members will receive training in areas such as DCFS Education and Transition programs, financial literacy, public speaking, conflict resolution, trust, emancipation readiness and a variety of other useful topics. RYAB membership looks great on resumes, job applications and college/scholarship applications!
This of course comes at no cost to our members and will facilitate their positive involvement with the DCFS Statewide Youth Advisory Board. We also provide dinner and a forum for youth issues and concerns.
The Northern Region RYAB meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 5:45 to 8 p.m. at the Aurora DCFS Office: 8 E. Galena Blvd., 3rd Floor, Aurora, IL 60506. Transportation for our members is provided as long as the RSVP is received on time.
For more information please contact:
Charles Purham
Southern Region Youth Advisory Board Information
The Downstate Southern Region Youth Advisory Board, consisting of two separate boards, is a youth organization that promotes youth empowerment, self-advocacy and information exchange. DCFS Southern Region consists of two sub-regions: the Marion Sub-Region and the East St Louis Sub-Region. The youth boards mirror the DCFS Southern Region.
The Marion Sub Region Youth Advisory Board meets the first Monday of the month at John A. Logan College, 700 Logan College Dr., Rm. H127, Carterville, Illinois.
The East St. Louis Sub Region Youth Advisory Board meets the first Tuesday of the month at the East St. Louis Community College Cafeteria, 601 James R. Thompson Blvd. East. St. Louis, IL.
Food is provided at each meeting.
If you know anyone that may be interested, please bring them. If you plan to attend or need transportation please contact the Primed for Life staff: