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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".17" citation="COMAR 07.02.10.17" title_num="07" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="10" heading="Youth Advisory Boards.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Local departments shall establish a youth advisory board to ensure that foster youth are provided the opportunity to participate directly in the design and implementation of transitional services and make recommendations for improvements to the services.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The Administration shall establish a State advisory board consisting of representatives from the local department youth advisory boards to directly participate at the statewide level in the design and implementation of transitional services and make recommendations for statewide improvements in the services.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The youth advisory board shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Empower youth to have a positive effect in their communities;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Encourage youth to develop leadership skills;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Provide an opportunity for youth to network with other youth;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Develop a speaker's bureau to represent the board;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Enhance partnerships between youth and adults;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Assist in planning for and participate in the annual teen conference; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Review State and federal legislation that may affect youth transitional services.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Each local department shall appoint one board member and one alternate to serve on the State youth advisory board.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>