For the fifth consecutive year, the Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) campus was the site of the Youth Leadership Summit (YLS), a full-day conference for teen leaders in middle and high schools in Johnson County, Kansas. The Youth Leadership Summit is an annual event coordinated by Prevention Services, a department of the Johnson County Mental Health Center.
Participating school districts included Blue Valley, Olathe, Shawnee Mission, Gardner-Edgerton and De Soto, with St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. James Academy. More than 200 student leaders attended the Aug. 29th conference.
Jamie Katz, prevention coordinator for Johnson County Mental Health, said youth and adult leaders attended presentations and workshops, learned ways to “be change agents” for their schools and communities, and created action plans to implement. Pressing issues in today’s schools include drug and alcohol abuse, suicide, and other destructive behaviors that affect school performance or family and peer relationships.
CUKC President Dr. Carl S. Cleveland III was asked to address conference attendees during the lunch session. In his welcome, Dr. Cleveland noted the yearly Youth Leadership Conference and CUKC had a shared vision of promoting behaviors that lead to healthier lives.
“The University’s leadership is committed to giving back to our community, Dr. Cleveland said. “We value our partnership with Johnson County Mental Health in their effort to support and encourage healthy behaviors among our youth. This partnership represents an extension of the University’s mission of education, scholarship, and service.”
Faculty, staff, and students who are interested in learning more about Johnson County Mental Health’s activities may call (913) 715-7880 or go to the Youth Leadership Summit web page.
