Sophomore Spotlight

At the IU School of Medicine, we have an exciting leadership opportunity for Sophomores/Juniors in high school (and their parents) – the IU Division of Adolescent Medicine is recruiting youth and parents for its advisory boards.  The boards comment on education programs, clinical practices, outreach approaches, research studies, etc…  It would give young people and parents an opportunity to act as “experts” and potentially shape clinical, educational and research programs for youth.  We will provide letters for schools for volunteer/service learning credit. 

What is the purpose of the Youth Advisory Board? Faculty in the Division of Adolescent Medicine would like formal youth input on their clinical programs, research, education, and outreach. Youth will act as “experts”, providing their perspectives on program and research design, materials, and communication with adolescents and families. 

Who can participate on the Youth Advisory Board?  Adolescents, 11 to 21 years of age, are eligible to participate, who are in 10^th-12^th grades.  They must commit to attend at least four to six meetings per year.   

Who can participate on the Youth Advisory Board?  Adolescents, 11 to 21 years of age, are eligible to participate, who are in 10^th-12^th grades.  They must commit to attend at least four to six meetings per year.   

What does the Advisory Board involve for youth? Participation on the advisory board involves partnering with clinical, research and program faculty from the Division of Adolescent Medicine. Example activities include:

• Reviewing and providing suggestions for communications, brochures, and health education materials for content, readability, and youth friendliness.
• Providing feedback and suggestions on the design and implementation of research studies with youth, including approaches to recruitment, and consent.
• Reviewing and providing suggestions for consent forms, surveys and other research materials.
• Providing input on best approaches for working with adolescents and families on sensitive topics, such as obesity, sexual health (including pregnancy prevention, STD programs and contraception), substance abuse,and mental health treatment.
• Youth and parents may be expected to review materials before a meeting, respond to email or posts between meetings, and come to meetings willing to share opinions and participate in discussions.

What are the expectations to participate? Youth will complete an application to participate in the Advisory Board and will fill out a consent form. A parent or guardian must give their consent for young people under 18 years to participate. 

The Advisory Board will be a one-year commitment, with the potential to participate for up to two to three years. Advisory Board members will be expected to attend four to six meetings a year and serve as a resource for faculty between meetings. Attendance is required, and one absence will be allowed per year. 

What is the payment for participation? Youth and parents will be reimbursed with a $20 e-gift card or regular gift card for each meeting.

What are the potential benefits of participation? Youth will be given the opportunity to gain leadership experience, fulfill community service obligations, and contribute in a meaningful way to programs that help other youth! 

When and where are the meetings? Meetings will be once a quarter from 6/6:30 pm to 8:30/9 pm on the virtual meeting platform Zoom or potentially in-person at 1001 W. 10^th Street, Health Instructional Translational Sciences Building, Indianapolis, IN, 46202. In-person meetings usually include dinner.

-The application and selection process begins soon for apprenticeships that will begin in the 2022/23 school year. The MAP program is a great option for fulfilling the work-readiness Graduation Pathway.

Mr. Harkin – Assistant Principal – jharkin@msdwt.k12.in.us

Mr. McKinney – Dean of Students – jmckinney@msdwt.k12.in.us

Mr. Jacobowitz – Counselor – ajacobowitz@msdwt.k12.in.us

Mr. Corn – jcorn@msdwt.k12.in.us

Mrs. Fleming – mfleming@msdwt.k12.in.us

We ask that you continue to find out more about MAP, post the attached flyer in your area and refer potential interested students. You can learn more at https://indymodernapprenticeship.com/ or contact the NCHS Work-Based Learning Coordinators, Charlene Williams and/or Shannon Fowler.