Need support to fill out this form call 866-950-1040 and ask for Youth Team!

The PEAL Center works with families, youth, and young adults with disabilities and special health care needs to help them understand their rights and advocate for themselves. 

The mission of the Youth Advisory Council is to enhance youth voice within schools, communities, and parent organizations.

Joining our youth council will allow for you to advocate for yourself and others. You will also develop leadership skills to improve services related to mental health, disability, medical needs, transition to adulthood, and much more.
Your participation will assist in: 
-Reducing stigma 
-Supporting your peers 
-Educating your community and professionals 
-Sharing your story 
-Making recommendations for policy change 

Members of the advisory council will be: 
-Making videos about your experience 
-Developing presentations  
-Participating in discussions or discussion panels 
-Attending PEAL youth events 
-Volunteering in your community 
-And more! 
In order to serve on the youth advisory council, those members must:
-Be transition-age 14 years old or older 
-Live in Pennsylvania 
-Have mental health, medical, or disability diagnosis 
Members of the council will be required to: 
-Attend each monthly meeting unless excused 
-Attend events unless excused  
-Participate and work on project assignments until complete 
-Keep in contact with youth team at The PEAL Center 
-Have Fun! 
Council members will be paid for their participation, including travel expenses to conferences and speaker compensation. 
Definitions:  
-IEP: IEP or Individual Education Plan lays out the special education instruction, supports, and services a student needs to thrive in school. 
-504 Plan: Free appropriate public education to qualified students who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (from the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA)
-Transition: Transition is a planning process to help youth with an IEP or 504 an IEP set goals and design what they want to do after high school. 
-Disability: Disability is any condition of the body or mind that may make it more difficult (but not impossible!) for the person to do certain activities.  They may need supports or tools (modifications) to make sure they can do those activities. 
-Special Education: Special education refers to a range of services that can give you the tools you need so you can learn. 
-Mental Health: Emotional, psychological, and social well-being 
-Medical Needs: Health care needs that a doctor would provide to their patient 

Question Title

* 1. Address

Question Title

* 2. Your Birthdate

Date

Question Title

* 3. Are you Under the Age of 18?

Question Title

* 4. If you are under age 18 Parent/Caregiver Email

Question Title

* 5. If you are under age 18, Parent/Caregiver Phone

Question Title

* 6. What changes would you like to see for youth who receive special education, disability or mental health services?

Question Title

* 7. Tell us about your interests and talents and any activities you are involved in?

Question Title

* 8. Have you participated in any leadership activities before? (examples:  councils, clubs, youth boards)

Question Title

* 9. Are you willing to speak in public about your disability or as your experience in transition?

Question Title

* 10. What has your experience in school been like as a youth in transition or with a disability?

Question Title

* 11. How have you participated in your transition planning or IEP/504 meetings?

Question Title

* 12. Why would you like to be a part of PEAL's Youth Advisory Council?

Question Title

* 13. What's the best time for you to participate in meetings

Question Title

* 14. Do you have any questions for the Youth about the Youth Advisory Council?

Question Title

* 15. Is there anything else you'd like to tell us about yourself?

T