The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is a constructive feedback system that appeals to parents and youth. By offering a voice to youth, the YAB enhances the youth services of Tarzana Treatment Centers. As designed by TTC’s youth specialists, the YAB is a body of young people with firsthand experience with treatment, community health education, and outreach.

Moreover, since they have gone through the TTC program, informed decisions are provided by these youth. Thus, as part of the Youth Advisory Board, they help ensure that the services are on target. Through peer input and recommendations, the YAB informs the work of the TTC Youth and Family Services Treatment Team.

Youth Advisory Board = Improving Services at TTC

Established to enhance the TTC youth services programs offered, the YAB is a perfect example of interactive innovation. TTC allows the educational flow to go both ways, giving youth a voice.

Thus, treatment professionals learn from their former patients. Indeed, this achievement is the heart and soul of the Youth Advisory Board. Informed by such knowledge, positive evolution takes place in the treatment programs of TTC’s Youth and Family Services.

Therefore. YAB participants influence how programs evolve in their communities, schools, and at TTC. In addition, the Youth Advisory Board provides additional benefits to the young people participating in this interactive process. They develop their voices and learn how to be of service by giving back.

Developing Leadership Skills with the YAB

The YAB embraces the challenge mindset of empowering youth. As described in “The Challenge Mindset” by J. P. Michel, “it is time (for young people) … to explore challenges, problems, and opportunities to work on. This novel approach called the ‘Challenge mindset’ has shown promising results to be a more engaging and future-oriented approach.” By giving youth a voice in the YAB, TTC empowers them to move forward with their lives.

For example, YAB allows youth to develop their leadership skills further. Indeed, it is rare for young people to experience a forum where they can potentially make systemic changes. Thus, youth can help others as they transition back to home and school.

In addition, YAB members are encouraged to volunteer and mentor others by being exemplary members of the treatment community. TTC offers potential paid and non-paid internship opportunities to YAB members. Overall, the Youth Advisory Board promotes a positive image for youth in treatment.