Teens and young adults ages 14 to 24 in Santa Cruz County are invited to join an advisory task force focused on shaping the county’s policies.
According to county officials, the Youth Advisory Task Force will include 15 teens and young adults from various backgrounds.
The task force, which is part of the “A Santa Cruz County Like Me” project, is the first of its kind in the county.
Participants will meet monthly throughout the county to learn about county “boards, commissions, committees, and department advisory groups; identify the needs and concerns of teens and young adults; explore models of youth engagement in other jurisdictions; and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of various approaches and proposals,” county officials said.
Participants must live or work in Santa Cruz County and will have the option to receive a $75 stipend per meeting or earn community service hours. They must be able to attend monthly meetings in various locations throughout the county.
County officials said bus passes will be given to task force members to help with their transportation in connection with the meetings.
The deadline for applications to join the Youth Advisory Task Force is Sept. 20.
The task force is expected to meet for the first time in October to make findings and recommendations. The County Administrative Office will then return to the Board of Supervisors with any recommendations based on the work of the task force.
Applications can be obtained online.