Promote Diverse Forms of Youth Service

What Can Policymakers Do?

• Fund school service-learning programs. Coordinated by the school system and integrated into the academic curriculum, school service learning opportunities are programs that combine meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich students’ learning experiences, teach civic responsibility and strengthen communities. By providing funding for service learning opportunities in schools, state policymakers help to encourage students to become engaged citizens. The California Dunes Restoration Project is a partnership between California State Parks and all sixth grade students at Carpinteria Middle School. This service-learning project helps California State Parks restore the local dunes at Carpinteria State Beach and complements the California State Science Framework.

• Organize a state community service campaign. In addition to integrating opportunities to serve in school curricula, states can provide direct opportunities for youth to serve their communities. This strategy provides youth with the opportunity to learn new skills through participating in state established projects. States can reach out to youth and create networks to encourage and support service projects. Activities could include coordinating efforts across the state, serving as a central source for information about service opportunities or leading a public awareness campaign. Indiana’s Volunteer.IN.gov website links individuals who want to volunteer but do not know where to begin with organizations in their community that can help them find the perfect volunteer opportunity. The Volunteer Indiana Initiative is supported through the state Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.
• Host a state youth summit. State policymakers can organize youth summits as a way to consider youth views on upcoming policy and planning decisions, to provide for learning around a particular issue of interest or as a way to kick-off a new youth focused initiative. Youth summits provide a forum for youth to serve as resources to states and allow for youth to contribute in a positive and productive way.[1] The Minnesota Youth Legislative Summit is an example of a “Youth as Resources” program designed to involve youth in public problem-solving.[2]