Youth Advisory Council

A young Asian man wearing a hearing aid device speaks with two other college-age students in a campus library space

An opportunity for youth with special healthcare needs to share your input and make a difference!

We want to hear from teens and young adults about what’s important and helpful to you as you plan for the future.

Our Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is a direct way you can help improve transition support for your family and other Illinois youth transitioning to adulthood.

What is the YAC?

The YAC is a diverse, youth-driven group that aims to develop more youth-focused ways to help individuals and families with transition planning, resources and services.

Side view portrait of smiling teenage girl with disability studying in college and using laptop with friend

The YAC’s goal is to support positive outcomes in adulthood for all Illinois youth with special healthcare needs in the areas of:

  • Employment
  • Health care
  • Independence
  • Quality of life

The YAC’s role is to:

  1. Bring a different and personal perspective on issues important to youth.
  2. Partner with the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) to help develop more youth-focused methods to enhance care coordination.
  3. Develop strategies to improve communication between youth/young adults and older adults.

Members participate in four virtual meetings per year.

Meet Our YAC Members

YAC resources created by youth, for youth

YAC members created these fact sheets to share helpful tips, trusted resources and real-life advice from their personal experiences. These tools aim to help youth build skills, speak up for themselves and plan for the future.

Your IEP, Your Voice

Learn how to take an active role in your individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and speak up about what matters to you.

  • Your IEP, Your Voice fact sheet in English
  • Your IEP, Your Voice fact sheet in Spanish (coming soon!)

Your Future, Your Path: Trade School vs. College

Explore different education and career options after high school and learn how to decide which path may be right for you.

  • Your Future, Your Path fact sheet in English
  • Your Future, Your Path fact sheet in Spanish (coming soon!)

Asking for What You Need and How to Get It: A Guide to College Accommodations

Find out how to request accommodations in college and learn practical tips for advocating for yourself.

  • Asking for What You Need and How to Get It fact sheet in English
  • Asking for What You Need and How to Get It fact sheet in Spanish (coming soon!)

Who is eligible to join the YAC?

The YAC is open to youth who have a special healthcare need.

  • A special healthcare need is a chronic medical/physical condition that requires more than routine healthcare services. This means ongoing medical care, therapies or treatments, specialized equipment or supports, etc.
  • The Maternal and Child Health Bureau defines this as youth who “have or are at increased risk for a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional condition and who also require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally.”

YAC members must also:

  • Be 15 to 24 years old
  • Live in Illinois
  • Be planning for the transition to adulthood in the areas of education, health care, employment and home and community-based support.

You do not have to be a DSCC participant to join the council.

How can I join and learn more?

Members must complete an online application to join. Click below for more details about how the council works and how to apply:

If you have questions, please contact Claire Cook, DSCC’s Title V Program Transition Specialist, at clairer3@uic.edu or (800) 322-3722, ext. 21812.