Recommendations
On Policies that Impact the Youths of Vermont
April 21, 2025
The Vermont State Youth Council was formed in 2022 with the purpose of giving “young Vermonters an official means of providing advice on policies that impact young persons in Vermont.”
The Council is currently composed of 26 youth and consists of five subcommittees: Climate Change; Education; Equity and Anti-Racism; Youth Mental Health; and Youth Voice. Each subcommittee is tasked with providing recommendations related to its focus area to the Governor and General Assembly alongside recommendations from the full Council “on the participation of young persons in Vermont's economy and keeping young Vermonters in the State“ and “the preservation of Vermont’s traditions and the future of Vermont’s rural character, activities, and professions.”
In its short history, the Council has hosted one public hearing, sent a survey to Vermont students, written bylaws, and presented recommendations to the General Assembly and Governor. Moving forward, the Council will be changing its strategy to better align with the bienniums and legislative sessions. In the future, recommendations will be presented at the start of each biennium so the second year of the biennium can be entirely focused on connecting with legislators to write bills and provide testimony.
The Vermont State Youth Council allows youth and legislators to impact one another, bridging the gap between generations of leaders. The recommendations presented herein are centered around what the Council believes to be the issues most affecting Vermont youth.
Respectfully submitted,
Harmony Devoe
Chair