YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY (YLA)

BECOME A VOICE

THAT CREATES CHANGE

Do you want to learn about being a leader? If so, the Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) is for you! YLA is a way to connect with peers with disabilities and learn leadership skills. Spend two hours per day for five days this summer and gain skills for a lifetime. All sessions are virtual and FREE! 

At YLA you will learn:

• How to become a leader,
• How to advocate for you and others,
• What you can do, and
• What you are capable of.

Build Leadership Skills

• Goal Setting
• Self-Determination
• Civic Engagement
• Disability Rights
• Networking
• Mentoring

SCHEDULE

Virtual YLA Training

Date: MON–FRI, July 29–August 2

Time: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Graduation Ceremony

Date: SAT, August 10th

In Des Moines with a virtual option.

Family members are invited to this in-person event taking place in Des Moines.

Ceremony will include:

• Sharing exercises by each graduate
• Family member connection opportunities
• Lunch
• Optional tour of the Capitol 
  

* American Sign Language will be made available. *

QUESTIONS?

Contact: Carlyn Crowe

Phone: (515) 201-8151

Email: ccrowe@dhs.state.ia.us

Meet the Trainers

Click here to see the video!

YLA is for students with disabilities ages 14–21. Sessions consist of 8–12 students from Iowa communities. Additional sessions may be added, depending on interest.

YLA is sponsored by:

YLA 2023 - Empowering Young Leaders

EMPOWERING YOUNG LEADERS Each summer the Iowa DD Council partners with four youth-supportive organizations to offer the Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) to Iowa youth ages 16-21. The goal of YLA is to develop young leaders who learn skills that build their confidence in advocating for themselves and their community. They are also encouraged to become civically engaged and serve others in their community, at school, and across Iowa.

Participants included ninth-grade through first-year college students. Students reported that in addition to self-determination skills and goal-setting, they learned to:

• “Put others before my own needs”
• “Help other students become leaders”
• “Be a good Samaritan”
• “Always be yourself and care about others”
  

This year, 15 students participated in the training sessions. A graduation ceremony allowed students and their families to celebrate with a pizza party and a trip to the Iowa State Capitol.

YLA is a collaborative effort by the Iowa DD Council, Access 2 Independence, ASK Resource Center, the University Center for Excellence in Disabilities and Development (UCEDD), and the Iowa Department of Human Rights. 

BROTHERS LEAD EACH OTHER THROUGH YLA

When Sebastien Janelle graduated from YLA in 2022, he knew it would be the perfect program for his younger brother, Simon. Sebastien had just completed his first year in the UI REACH program at the University of Iowa and had already started getting involved in student leadership. Simon had just graduated from Ankeny Centennial High School and was preparing to join Sebastien at UI REACH that fall. The brothers had been involved in 4H, swim team, Special Olympics, and their church in Ankeny, but they both wanted to be involved in their college program UI REACH, a comprehensive transition program for students with intellectual, cognitive, and learning disabilities.

Simon graduated from YLA this past summer. In the fall, he was elected to the UI REACH Student Council. As a senior, Sebastien was elected President of the UI REACH Student Council. The council is made of up 10 members who promote positive changes for the UI REACH program. They also advocate for policy change that helps students and their peers with advocacy skills.

“Being a leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things I’ve ever done in leadership. It’s all about inspiring and empowering others to reach their full potential in their future.” – Sebastien, YLA Grad 2022

“YLA helped me learn skills I can use to be on the Student Council. I am serving my community at UI REACH at the University of UI REACH at the University of Iowa.” – Simon, YLA Grad 2023