Colorado State Youth Council
The State Youth Council (SYC) is a sub-committee of the Education & Training Steering Committee of the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC). The SYC advises and champions the creation of multiple pathways to economic and career success for Colorado’s youth. The SYC serves as the youth expertise body of the CWDC and will:
- Identify and champion promising practices advancing youth talent development.
- Engage youth on their expertise and lived experiences to inform decisions.
- Advise on how to best engage youth in career-connected learning opportunities.
- Provide recommendations on policies and practices impacting youth talent development.
- Make recommendations for use of SYC funds.
The State Youth Council convenes quarterly to set the direction of initiatives and programs impacting youth talent development in Colorado. The SYC has chosen to focus on advancing the following strategic priorities:
- Support employers in creating welcoming workplaces for youth.
- Promote behavioral and mental health supports for workplace success.
- Accelerate and champion registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeships for youth.
Values:
- Youth engaged as partners and decision makers
- Dignity in all pathways
- Collaboration
- Sustainability
- Agility
- Inclusivity
- Operational excellence
State Youth Council Members
State Youth Council (SYC) appointees serve two-year terms as voting members of the SYC and work to promote and advise the CWDC on efforts to create multiple pathways to economic and career success for Colorado’s youth. The SYC is made up of young leaders under the age of 26, state agency members, and representatives from Colorado non-profits and other community-based organizations.
- Executive Committee Members
Amber Palmeri, Mile High Youth Corps, Co-Chair
Nick Huber, Co-Chair
Steve Wright, CDLE - Workforce Development Programs, Secretary/Treasurer
- Youth Leaders
Shriya Biddala
Aarav Varma
Paola Trevizo
Aahana Dash
Aaliyah Berry
Vanessa Tao
Jonathan Kim
Madinatou Kouanda
Alex Trinklein
Ashlynne Bogema
Bhupin Jain
Bhushali Jain
Diana Eshetu
John Krug III
- State Agency Members
Dan Kraus, Colorado Workforce Development Council, Pueblo JATC
Baird McKevitt, Xcel Energy, Center for Energy Workforce Development
Shanae Core, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
Sam Fogleman, Colorado Department of Higher Education
Michelle Dennis, Colorado Community College System
Lauren Radin, Colorado Department of Education
Drew Grissom, CDLE - Office of the Future of Work
- Partner Organizations
Bob Gemignani, Pikes Peak Business & Education Alliance
Eric Dunker, Arapahoe Community College
Glenn Hard, Careers in Construction
Stephanie Murphy, Junior Achievement
Madeline Williams, United Way Denver
Suzie Miller, Arapahoe/Douglas Works
Jay Samant, Youth Talent Development Network
Ashleigh Phillips, Centura Health
Jennifer Landers, Colorado Young Leaders / CiviCO
Letia Frandina, Adams County Education Consortium
Kylie Parks, Arvada Chamber of Commerce
Greg Cordova, Employment Services of Weld County
Andrew Yost, Weld County Government
Sydney Golditch, Arapahoe/Douglas Works
Youth Engagement
Do you have an organization, event, or promising practice that you would like highlighted? Use the form below and your submission may be included on the SYC website.
Meeting Dates & Materials
Materials for past and upcoming meetings can be accessed via the drop-down menus below.
Upcoming Quarterly Meeting Dates:
- Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm - Register for the November Meeting
- Archived Meeting Materials
August 6, 2024
- Zoom Recording: Access the recording of the meeting held on August 6, 2024.
- Meeting Slides: View the slides used during the meeting on August 6, 2024.
April, 19, 2024
- Zoom Recording: Access the recording of the meeting held on April 19, 2024.
- Meeting Slides: View the slides used during the meeting on April 19, 2024.
February 6, 2024
- Zoom Recording: Access the recording of the meeting held on February 6, 2024.
- Meeting Slides: View the slides used during the meeting on February 6, 2024.
November 14, 2023
- Zoom Recording: Access the recording of the meeting held on November 14, 2023.
- Meeting Slides: View the slides used during the meeting on November 14, 2023.
August 28, 2023
- Zoom Recording: Access the recording of the meeting held on August 28, 2023.
- Meeting Slides: View the slides used during the meeting on August 28, 2023.
May 16, 2023
- Zoom Recording: Access the recording of the meeting held on May 16, 2023.
- Meeting Slides: View the slides used during the meeting on May 16, 2023.
February 7, 2023
- Zoom Recording: Access the recording of the meeting held on February 7, 2023.
- Meeting Slides: View the slides used during the meeting on February 7, 2023.
Previous dates and materials for past meetings are available upon request, please email cwdc_syc@state.co.us for your request.
Resources
- Colorado Youth Talent Development
A landscape analysis of youth talent development activities in Colorado is in the process of being developed.
- Career Navigator Toolkit
The Denver Opportunity Youth Initiative (DOYI), in partnership with the CWDC, released a Career Navigator Toolkit. The toolkit is a collection of promising practices from career navigators in Colorado.
- Colorado Statewide Youth Development Plan
The Colorado Department of Human Services maintains the Colorado Statewide Youth Development Plan, which presents a vision for a strong youth development network and strategies for improving an array of youth-focused policies, practices and programs. At the core of the vision and strategies is the incorporation of positive youth development principles into the services and programs for youth ages 9 to 25 in Colorado.
Learn more and access the Colorado Statewide Youth Development Plan.
- Mental Health Resources
This section includes resources from the SYC Mental Health Sub-group
- Mental Health Roundtable - View Recording of the December, 14, 2020 Virtual Listening Session on Mental Health
Get Involved
State Youth Council meetings are free and open to the public. All are welcome to participate in State Youth Council meetings and share their ideas on youth talent development in Colorado.
- Become a member
The State Youth Council is currently recruiting new voting members. Please complete an application and we will follow up regarding your interest. State Youth Council Application