Title
Discuss and Recommend a 2026 Youth Council Work Plan
Recommended Action
Discuss and move the recommend a 2026 Youth Council Work Plan to the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee for recommendation to the full City Council for approval.
Report
Issue:
Whether to Discuss and move to recommend a 2026 Youth Council Work Plan to the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee for recommendation to the full City Council for approval.
Staff Contact:
Susan Grisham, Assistant to the City Manager, Youth Council Liaison, 360.753.8244
Presenter(s):
Susan Grisham, Assistant to the City Manager, Youth Council Liaison
Background and Analysis:
Each year, the Youth Council is responsible for putting together an annual work plan which will be presented to the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee for review and recommendation to the full City Council for approval. Items on the work plan should reflect the goals of the Youth Council.
The Youth Council serves as an advisory body to elevate youth perspectives in City decision-making. Consistent with the City's equity, inclusion, and community engagement goals, the Youth Council identified topics that prioritize both policy learning and applied civic engagement.
Youth have identified barriers to engagement including complex policy language, limited awareness of city programs, and a lack of accessible spaces for participation. This work plan responds to those challenges by pairing policy briefings with tangible projects that translate learning into action.
The Youth Council identified five priority briefing topics based on youth concerns, community relevance, and alignment with City initiatives:
1. Mental Health Accessibility and Resources for Youth
Focus on understanding available services, barriers to access, and opportunities to improve youth awareness and utilization of resources.
2. Public Safety in Olympia
Briefing of public safety, including Reimagining Public Safety.
3...
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