The Developmental Disabilities Council (DDCO) is pleased to announce the 18th Annual Oklahoma Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) June 7 – 18, 2021. This summer we will be hosting the event virtually!

The YLF is a unique leadership program for high school students with and withoutdisabilities. YLF teaches students how to take charge of their lives and gives opportunities for students to lead.  We challenge our youth to get ready for life’s opportunities and learn to manage life’s challenges. Selected students will develop important life skills to assist them in reaching their life and career goals.

Up to 25 students statewide will be selected to represent their communities as a delegate at the YLF.  To be eligible to attend the YLF, students must:

• Be in the 10^th, 11^th, or 12^th grade as of December 19, 2020.
• For students with a disability, they should have a documented disability (we’ve had students attend with significant learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities and/or mental health diagnosis).
• For students without a disability, they should have an interest in working with others who have a disability or be a sibling.
• Have demonstrated leadership potential in their school and community.
• Reside in Oklahoma.

I need your help in identifying students with disabilities who meet the criteria above as well as students without disabilities and encouraging them to apply for an opportunity of a lifetime. While our focus is with students with disabilities, we wish to have an inclusive learning environment and recognize that preparing for life after high school is important for everyone.  This opportunity is free for selected applicants!

I have enclosed YLF brochures and applications with this letter for you to share. Students can also complete the application online:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OKYLFApplication .

If you need copies or if I can answer any questions, please contact me by phone (405) 212-7558 or by email Jenifer.Randle@okdhs.org. Be sure to check out our websitehttps://goo.gl/6GUehS  and our video https://goo.gl/FBNLIn .

—

Jenifer (Jen) Randle, M.Ed. 

Certified Person Centered Thinking Trainer &

LifeCourse Ambassador

Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma

Cell: (405) 212 – 7558

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