Building the Next Generation of Youth Leaders 

The Lead the Way Youth Leadership Development Academy is part of the work of Family Engagement and Leadership in Systems of Care (FELSC). The academy is led by Family Voices. 

Are You Ready to Make a Difference? 

Are you a teen or young adult with a disability or special health care needs? Do you want to build leadership skills, connect with other young people, and create positive change in your community? 

Lead the Way is a yearlong leadership development program designed for youth and young adults ages 14 – 26. 

What You’ll Learn 

Through 12 interactive online sessions, you’ll: 

• Build confidence as a leader 
• Develop communication and group participation skills 
• Learn about disability identity and disability history 
• Understand healthcare, education, and community systems 
• Explore how policy creates change 
• Practice public speaking and teamwork 
• Complete a project that shares your lived experience, leadership journey, and the impact you hope to make in your community 

Program Highlights 

• Fall 2026 – summer 2027 
• 12 monthly online sessions (60 minutes each) 
• About 1 hour of pre-work before each session 
• Monthly drop-in calls for any additional support you might need 
• Hands-on leadership activities and discussions 
• Opportunities to connect with peers and professionals 

What You’ll Gain 

• Leadership skills to improve health 
• Experience sharing your voice to create change  
• A certificate of completion after you finish the program 
• Eligibility to request letters of recommendation  
• Future leadership and engagement opportunities  
• Opportunity to apply for Youth as Self Advocates (YASA)  

Who Should Apply? 

Youth and young adults ages 14–26 who: 

• Have a disability or special health care need(s) 
• Want to develop leadership skills 
• Are interested in group participation and community involvement 
• Want to connect with peers and make a difference 

About Family Voices 

Family Voices is a family-led organization that transforms systems of care to work better for all children and youth, especially those with special health care needs or disabilities. By putting families at the forefront and centering their leadership and lived expertise, we build a culture that includes everyone and leads to better outcomes for all.  

How to Apply 

• Fill out our online application.
• Apply by August 24, 2026. 
• We will notify applicants by September 8, 2026.  

Questions?

Email Andrea Li, ali@familyvoices.org 

Family Engagement and Leadership in Systems of Care (FELSC) is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number (U4000149). The information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.