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ECAC Youth Advisory Groups Application Now Open!

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ECAC Youth Advisory Groups Application Now Open!
Published: December 23, 2025

We are excited to share some updates about ECAC’s Youth Advisory Teams (YAT) and Junior Youth Advisory Team (JYAT)! As we continue to grow, we’ve taken time to thoughtfully revise and strengthen these teams to create even more meaningful leadership, connection, and impact for students.

What are JYAT & YAT?
The Youth Advisory Teams are youth-led groups that give students a voice in shaping programs, sharing lived experiences, building leadership skills, and connecting with peers across North Carolina.

  • JYAT (Junior Youth Advisory Team): Middle School
  • YAT (Youth Advisory Team): High School

Students participate in interactive meetings, leadership roles, projects, and discussions focused on advocacy, confidence, communication, and leadership development.

What’s New This Year?
Our updated structure includes:

  • Clearly defined leadership roles
  • Opportunities for students to rotate into leadership positions
  • Youth-led discussions and activities
  • Leadership Labs focused on real-world skills
  • A renewed focus on inclusion, voice, and collaboration

Important: Application Required for All Students
As part of this refresh, all students — including current JYAT and YAT members — will need to submit an application. This helps us:

  • Learn more about each student’s interests and goals
  • Ensure a balanced and engaged group
  • Create leadership opportunities that match student strengths

Submitting an application does not mean you are starting over, it simply helps us build the strongest teams possible moving forward.

Meeting Schedule:
Both JYAT and YAT meet twice per month on Thursday evenings. Additional details, including start dates and meeting times, will be shared once applications are reviewed.

How to Apply:
If you or your student are interested in participating, please click on the link below and complete the application.

Applications will be reviewed, and students will receive next steps and onboarding information once selections are finalized. Applications will close on January 9th to allow us to process and plan.

We are incredibly excited about this next chapter for JYAT and YAT and can’t wait to welcome both returning and new members into these revised teams. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Parent Testimonial

Dear ECAC Team,

I hope this letter finds you well. I want to express a heartfelt thank you to you all for your work. To Mrs. Aimee Combs, I appreciate your continued advocacy alongside youth and young adults disabilities and for allowing me to have a place at the table. I am so thankful to have met everyone on staff, and your passion for what you all do is infectious.

When I connected with Mrs. Debra Pickens and reconnected with my friend and fellow advocate Billy Pickens, I had no clue what was ahead.  I had the honor of participating as a voice in the following events: The Duke Univ Health Equity Rounds, NCSU Family Leadership Summit, ECU Inclusion Summit and the Partners in Learning Conference, not to mention numerous YAT opportunities and events.

All of these opportunities and more have had a lasting impact on me and continue to set the standard in my relationships with other organizations as well. Thank you for investing in me, and the mission that I was called to fulfill through advocating, creating and serving our shared communities of disabilities. I look forward to more opportunities to build upon the relationships established, and more opportunities to assist, collaborate and learn from you all as you continue to impact our state, my generation as well as present and future advocates.

Sincerely,
Mayia Warren