current members share who among their peers could potentially bring a new perspective to the board, as well, Reese said. “We are one of the largest geographic counties in Minnesota and really have some unique differences across the county,” Reese said. “So, we’ve been really intentional to try and have representation from all school districts in Polk County.” Polk County Public Health staff also use Minnesota Student Survey data to assess what youth are wanting to see in the public health space, according to Reese. The 2019 Minnesota Student Survey found that adult mentorship was important to youth, particularly those who struggled with mental health issues, so the Youth Advisory Board created a “Safe Places to Land” initiative, which provided adults in school settings with a kit on what to do when a student confides in them and how to show they care — at some schools, Youth Advisory Board members identified teachers or coaches, but others identified janitors, cafeteria staff and receptionists as that “safe person,” Reese said. “Surprisingly enough, a lot of times, it’s those other people that are in the building every day that create that culture of safety,” she said. Youth Advisory Board members are encouraged to listen to their peers and share their perspectives as well,“to bring all youth voices to the table,” Fagerlund said. “We’re pretty clear in that they are representing their peers, so to listen and open their eyes at the culture of their school and their environment a little differently, and to bring that back to us,” Fagerlund said.“And then also just to think wide, as youth. “They’re thinking about their school, their peers, but then also to think about peers in their county, in Northwest Minnesota, and then to think globally too — especially when we talk about justice and ethics and thinking about the plate of life that another student might have that they’re not familiar with, but to put themselves as much as they can into that person’s world, and to think about the services and the world that helps them be healthier.” County Health community wellness team. “Speaking to what’s current and what’s on the minds of the youth, but also providing some leadership development, public speaking, maybe some parliamentary procedures, how to run a meeting, how to mediate and moderate differences amongst them.” The Youth Advisory Board is made up of high school students across Polk County— public health staff aim to engage two to three students per school district to get a more comprehensive youth perspective, according to Reese. Students at public and private high schools, as well as teens at the Red River Valley Juvenile Center in the county, are encouraged to participate. Some members have been nominated by their school counselors or school leadership team, and 10 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 03
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