The West Virginia Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) is the first YLF for youth with disabilities in our state and we want you to be a part of it!!!

The YLF is for high school juniors & seniors and college freshmen with ALL types of disabilities including physical, cognitive, learning, psychiatric, sensory, emotional/behavioral, etc. This innovative and exciting program, limited to 25 young adults with disabilities, will include:

• Four virtual fun filled but educational days of leadership and advocacy skills training
• Opportunities to meet and interact with West Virginia leaders with and without disabilities
• Chance to make new friends
• Opportunity to learn your rights as a person with a disability and what those rights mean

The YLF will be June 20-24, 2022 and "Delegates" will be selected through a competitive application process. Please follow the instructions below to complete the application process.

To receive full consideration, your completed online application must be submitted/postmarked by April 15, 2022.

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Instructions for Application:

• All fields marked wth an * are required
• Please make certain your application packet is complete. *All questions must be answered and required attachments provided. Please submit application and all attachments at the same time if possible. Incomplete packets will not be considered.
• Applicants selected to be Delegates will attend the YLF at no cost.

 

Required Items Checklist:

• Completed application form
• Two recommendations
• Resume´
• Essay (response to five questions)

Selected delegates will be provided with an iPad or similar device, preloaded with materials and resources for YLF as well as other materials, resources, fund items and a YLF t-shirt.

Your “YLF in a Box” will arrive well before the virtual event so you will have time to look things over, try out your device and be ready to go on June 20th.

All delegates will be provided with a Zoom link to use for all the sessions and activities.

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The WV Statewide Independent Living Council is committed to providing the highest degree of accessibility possible when conducting the YLF and all other activities. During YLF events, a personal assistant will be provided to Delegates based on their needs.

Accessible Formats:

All materials distributed during the YLF by staff, presenters, or Delegates must be available in ALL requested accessible formats including large print, electronic, audio, and Braille. Please indicate your need for accessible formats for your personal use on the application form.

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The West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council is the primary sponsor of the YLF, supported by a grant from the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services.

Additional YLF Sponsors include:

West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council
West Virginia American Water
WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities
Maroney, Williams, Weaver & Pancake PLLC
Zerbe and Pence PLLC
New Cumberland Lion's Club
West Virginia Independence Network

Stipend funds are being made available to people with developmental disabilities through funds from the WV Developmental Disabilities Council.

Other sponsors are also being recruited and all sponsors will be recognized in the program and at the YLF.

 

Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) Application Form

Please check all that apply (This information is requested in order to assure that we include Delegates of diverse and broad representation)

Please indicate your disability (This information will be kept confidential.  It will be used to ensure that we include delegates representing a variety of disabilities and to arrange for needed accommodations.)

*If you are younger than 18 at the time of the Youth Leadership Forum or have a guardian, your parent or guardian must complete following:

 

I am aware that the above named applicant has appliied to serve as a Delegate at the Youth Leadership Forum in June 2022.  If he/she is selected as a Delegate, I agree to support his/her participation and to enforce the Agreements.

Two written recommendations must be included with your application using the form provided.  Select two individuals who are willing to write recommendations for you and provide the following information about each:

Attachments

Please attach the following documents to your application.  The Selection Committee will use these documents in addition to your application form to determine your leadership potential and to ensure that delegates with a variety of experiences are selected. 

 

I. Resume´

Your resume´ should be typed or neatly and legibly written and should show your involvement with school and/or community activities, including any offices you have held, club memberships, service learning experiences, after school activities, other learning experiences, and work experiences. 

 

II.  Essay

Please respond to the following questions.  Write, type, or speak your responses on separate paper and attach to your completed application packet.  Please do not exceed four (4) pages.  Responses must be double-spaced and either typewritten or neatly and legibly written or recorded on a CD or thumb drive.

1. Leadership - How would you define Leadership?

2. Role Models - Based on your definition of leadership, please tell us about one person who has positively influenced your life.  How? (Family, teachers, counselors, friends, group leaders, public officials or celebrities are appropriate examples)

3. Qualifications - What experiences have you had and/or what characteristics do you have that would qualify you to be a Delegate to this YLF?  and why do you want to attend?

4. Experiences as a person with a disability - Describe one important experience you have had as a young adult with a disability in which you needed to be a leader or be assertive.  (Please be specific about your example as it relates to your disability)

 5. Future Plans - During the YLF, each Delegate will develop a personal leadership plan.  What possibilities have you considered for your future leadership?

 

III. Recommendations

Please attach two recommendations that describe your demonstrated leadership skills or your leadership potential.  Recommendations must be from community representatives (for example, teacher, employer, church, youth group leader, coach, etc.).  The recommendations should be attached to your application in sealed envelopes as specified in the Instructions for Recommendations.  Give this page to the individuals who have agreed to write a recommendation for you (copy as needed or call for additional copies). It may also be emailed to wvsilc@wvsilc.org.

 

IV. Interview

You may be contacted by the Selection Committee to set up an appointment for a phone interview during the selection process.  You will be provided the accommodations you need to be able to participate in the interview.

Agreements

In order to provide a positive, fun, and safe learning experience at the YLF, all Delegates will be expected to comply with the following agreements.

If I am chosen to be a Delegate I will:

1. Be punctual to all sessions and activities of the Youth Leadership Forum.

2. Participate in all sessions and activities and complete all assignments. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory.

3. Be at my designated places and stay with my assigned group at all times.  Attendance at all sessions is mandatory.

4. Maintain a respectful attitude toward peers, mentors, and YLF staff. 

5. During all sessions and activities do not use any other devices other than the iPad/similar device provided by YLF.

6. Agree not to download/install any apps/games/other programs on the iPad/similar device provided to me for YLF or use it for any purposes other than YLF until after all sessions and activities have been completed and YLF has ended.

7. Agree to return the iPad/similar device if dismissed from YLF or fail to attend and participate in all YLF sessions and activities.

Delegates are chosen to attend the YLF because of their leadership potential.  Remember the responsibility that goes with the honor of being selected as a delegate......and plan to have a good time!

 

Keep a copy of this page and bring it with you to the YLF so you will remember what you have agreed to.

 

Remember:  Deadline for submission/postmark on mailed application:  April 1, 2022.