The goal of the Solano Youth Voices Policy Platform is to provide recommendations which further develop schools into emotionally and physically safe spaces that allow all students, regardless of their circumstances, to learn and thrive.
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Become a champion for the Youth Policy Platform, which addresses critical issues on school campuses including; Mental Health, Bullying Prevention, and Youth Homelessness. The recommendations in this policy platform were identified and informed by more than 700 youth across Solano County including:
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704 Youth Surveys
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21 Youth Focus Groups
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21 Research Meetings with Issue Experts
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Community Members, leaders, youth, parents, and professionals understand that the education system cannot and should not approach these issues alone; Solano Youth Voices recommends that public, private, and non-profit sectors work collaboratively to make schools physically and emotionally safe places.
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View the Youth Policy Platform:
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Learn more about the priority issues addressed in the Youth Policy platform:
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Download a printable statement of support to put on your letterhead and/or sign Below to add your name to our list of supporters!
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Ask yourself... if we don't take action on these issues now, what will our future look like?
-Nathen and Zahraya
Solano Youth Voices Council Members
Statement of Support for the Youth Policy Platform
In 2017, Solano Youth Voices, a youth council made up of young people ages 14-24 began an outreach process to identify the most pressing concerns facing youth in Solano County. Over a period of several months, youth council members collected 704 youth surveys, conducted 17 youth focus groups, and held 21 research meetings with issue experts to develop seven recommendations. Based on the surveys, research and meetings with policymakers, SYV recommends that the public, private, and non-profit sectors work collaboratively to:
Mental Health: Expand availability and accessibility of non-stigmatizing and culturally-competent school-based mental health services for students.
Steps for Consideration:
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Create safe spaces at school where students can talk with a trained Mental Health provider (adult and/or peer) if they are experiencing mental health challenges even if they do not have a diagnosis.
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Develop a student group on each campus to educate other students about the importance of emotional health and to promote a healthy campus culture.
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Create a task force including youth, school staff, parents, and community leaders to overcome barriers to school-based mental health services.
Bullying Prevention: Equip and empower the school community (staff, students, parents, community partners) to recognize, address, and prevent bullying and cyber-bullying.
Steps for Consideration:
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Develop a student group on campus charged with bullying prevention and awareness among their peers on campus.
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Youth and adults co-lead trainings about social emotional well-being (which addresses in person and online/texting communication) and bullying prevention. Trainings should be offered to students, school staff, and parents.
Homeless Youth: Ensure that school campuses are safe spaces where homeless youth are treated with dignity and respect and provided with comprehensive supports.
Steps for Consideration:
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Help homeless youth with basic needs (i.e. food, clothes washers/dryers, hygiene supplies, and haircuts). Provide these services and supports on school campuses after school, and do not require youth to identify that they are homeless before they can receive help.
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Form a task force including youth, school staff, parents, and community leaders to address the logistics of keeping campuses open later so homeless students have a safe place to be and to receive services after school hours.
As elected officials, policymakers, community leaders, youth, parents/caregivers, advocates, and/or concerned citizens in Solano County, we express our support for this policy platform and our commitment to pursuing the implementation of these recommendations.