WELCOME!

• Introduction of YLINK
• YLINK Scope of Work
• Q/A

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YOUTH LEADERS IN KANSAS (YLINK)

• Gary Henault, Director of Youth Services
• Linda Buchheister, Children’s Program Manager
• Andres Mata, Youth Engagement Specialist

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YOUTH LEADERS IN KANSAS (YLINK) PROGRAM

• Youth Leaders in Kansas, known more commonly around the state by its acronym, YLINK, offers an opportunity for young adults to develop community awareness and youth leadership skills during the formative ages of 12 to 18 years. Various YLINK sites can be found in cities and small towns across the state of Kansas. They operate with the local support and guidance of caring adult volunteers, community partners, and alongside the youth's primary caregiver(s), especially parents.

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ACTIVITIES

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APPLICATION FOR YOUTH MOVE

Mission:

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Youth MOVE National connects, supports, and develops youth leadership in advocacy to create positive change. We practice authentic youth engagement through youth driven decision making by elevating youth voices of lived experience. We ensure that young people are heard and valued as leaders in the agencies, communities, and systems that impact their lives.

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Benefits of joining Youth Move:

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• Monthly Coaching Calls
• Tipsheets, Templates & Toolkits
• Branding & Marketing Support
• Chapter Chats
• Exclusive Webinars & Trainings
• Weekly Emails, Newsletters & Alerts
• National Network Partner Opportunities

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ON JUNE 14, 2023, 90 YOUTH JOINED US FOR YLINK ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN SALINA. WE HAD A MOTIVATIONAL INTERACTIVE SPEAKER AND A TRAINING SESSION ON SUPPORTING YOUR PEERS.�ON MARCH 2, 2023, OVER 200 YOUTH JOINED US AT THE CAPITAL FOR MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY DAY. THIS EVENT WAS SPONSORED BY CARELON.

Wichita Northwest High

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Rise up Reno

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Belle Plaine High School

Working with Youth

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Leadership

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GROUPS

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GROUPS ACROSS THE STATE

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SCOPE OF WORK

INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY

• A. YLINK sites will develop goals focused upon community issues that support stigma reduction and youth advocacy.
• B. These groups will be youth-led and youth-directed, but they will be supported with guidance when needed from parents, guardians, or other adults providing supervision to the youth group.

OUTCOME/GOAL

• A. Organize and develop leadership opportunities to include prevention, behavioral health stigma reduction and advocacy.
• B. Encourage participation in Youth Mental Health Advocacy Day at the state capital.
• C. Plan, organize and hold events for Youth Mental Health Awareness Month in May.
• D. Encourage participation in the annual YLINK conference.
• E. Encourage participation in the State-Wide Youth Advisory Group providing feedback to the Governor’s Behavioral Health Services Planning Council.
• F. When using YLINK funds for an event, program or activity there is an expectation that the YLINK Banner will be displayed, youth will wear YLINK shirts, buttons or other items that promote the connection with YLINK. The YLINK logo needs to be used on printed materials for the event. All printed materials with the YLINK logo will need to be approved by KDADS prior to printing.

SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED

• A. Each YLINK site shall participate in an array of activities focused upon mutual support, leadership opportunities, improved relationships, and strengthening community supports.
• B. Each YLINK site will participate in activities in their community and at the state level that support the goals developed by the group focused upon youth leadership or the reduction of stigma and/or bullying.
• C. Each YLINLK site will participate in:
• 1. Regularly scheduled meetings with adult supervision/support.
• 2. Mental Health Awareness activities
• 3. Annual YLINK Advocacy Day
• 4. YLINK Summer Conference
• 5. YLINK Regional Meetings
• D. Each YLINK site will work to develop community partners that will support the goals of the YLINK site.

DELIVERABLES AND REPORTING

• A. Each YLINK site will submit quarterly reports that are due no later than 15 days after the end of the month following each quarter end. These shall include:
• 1. Current Goals
• 2. Meeting dates, events, and activities
• 3. Number of persons participating
• 4. Future Plans
• B. Expenses shall be documented in the form of an invoice and submitted to KDADS staff. Reimbursement will occur 30-60 days upon receipt.
• C. The following release shall be on the FINAL financial report:

“Contractors hereby understands and agrees that final payment being made in the amount above and it releases the Contractor and KDADS from any further claims under this Agreement, subject to KDADS contract close-out procedures. After payment of the Final Financial Report (Final Payment), no further amount shall be due or payable by KDADS under this agreement.”

YLINK

FEEDBACK RECEIVED

"To me, Y-LINK has been not only a way to give back to my school and community, but also a source of hope for the future of our town and a way for me and fellow members to grow with each other and learn how to make the world a better place."

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- Senior at Wallace County High School

YLINK has given us students many opportunities to do great things for our community that we might not have been able to do without the resources of YLINK. We really focused on helping others and positively impacting their mental health.

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- Belle Plaine High School Student

“Being from a rural area, I didn’t think there was other liked minded youth who were passionate about change. Attending YLINK was an eye-opening experience. I was able to connect with youth who had that same fire. Being in that environment motivates and excites you to keep doing vital work. YLINK is an opportunity to join a group of goal driven youth who are making a change.”

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- Junior at Great Bend High School

“I personally have a passion for prevention and YLINK has helped me to gather information to share with my community and others. I love helping with mental health and by attending YLINK, it offers so many opportunities to help put our perspectives as youth together and change the lives of many for the better.”

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- 8th grader at Hoisington Middle School

"YLINK has impacted me because it's made me open minded and easier to talk about mental health and suicide prevention in a way that other generations have struggled or brushed aside. We can help the older generations see that it's ok to talk about mental health and suicide prevention without feeling ashamed or uncomfortable. YLINK has provided us with the funds necessary in order to spread the word to as many people as we can."

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- Highland Park High School Student

THANK YOU

YLINK