Youth Regional Technical Assistance Centers (SSA)
Youth R-TAC aims to offer a year-long platform to empower, strategize, and steer California’s community schools initiative. The Youth R-TAC is a platform created to inspire next-generation leaders and cultivate more spaces where their voices, ideas, and experiences are valued and reflected appropriately. Additionally, the Student Advisory provides critical guidance to Summit planning and implementation.
However, the ultimate goal of the SSA is to invest in transformative education, radical dreams, leadership development, and infrastructure and systems intricately crafted and centered on liberatory practices, healing conclaves, and equitable terrain. The SSA grounds students in the California Community Schools (CCSPP) framework while modeling effective integration of student/adult partnership; students are seen as equal partners and contributors with real decision-making power and collective thought exchange.
Members of the Youth R-TAC are selected through an application process at the beginning of each year. The R-TACs and CCSPP grantees are asked to recruit students meeting the following requirements:
- Demographics: Highest need, based on grantee proposals
- Eligibility for free or reduced-price meals, foster youth status, experience of suspension or expulsion, homelessness or involvement in the justice system, as well as students with disabilities, neurodiverse students, dual language learners, and those from underrepresented minority communities or non-white minority groups.
- Inclusivity across all 8 R-TAC (Regional Transformational Assistance Center) regions.
- Enrollment of students spanning Grades 9 through 12. Middle school students may be considered under special circumstances.
- Mandatory involvement in the interview selection process.
- Dedication to attending monthly virtual gatherings and, as needed, additional preparatory sessions.
Keep a look out for next years Youth R-TAC application announcement!
Year 1
In Year One, the necessity for a platform like the SSA became evident, highlighting the significant role students play in discussions about school transformation. As such, in Year One, an SSA Pilot was established. It was formed mid-year with the express purpose of providing invaluable student perspective on Summit planning. Despite its quick establishment, we successfully emphasized the value of collaborative decision-making. By treating students as equal partners with essential contributions and perspectives, we not only catalyzed change but also established an authentic process that fosters a safe and inclusive environment for our student collaborators. Growth is a natural progression in all endeavors.
Year 2
The Statewide Student Advisory Board was officially established in Year Two. Staff from CFJ took the lead on creating the curriculum and were joined by ACOE staff to support in the delivery of content during the biweekly evening meetings, held between November 2023 and June 2024. While our initial SSA implementation was not flawless, perfection was never the objective. Our aim is to empower next-generation leaders – an ongoing mission. We recognize that to effectively challenge the status quo, we must incessantly invest in the present and future of young individuals. The positive impact of the SSA on students and the enduring effects on the Summit prompted S-TAC to integrate SSA as a permanent extension of the transformative support offered to R-TAC partners and beyond. This led to the launch of SSA Year Two, which beautifully showcased liberatory design during the 2024 EMPOWER Community Schools Summit.
Year 3
In year three, the SSA continues to build on its mission of amplifying student voices and championing equity in education. This cohort includes 22 student leaders, representing the majority of our eight Regional Technical Assistance Centers (R-TACs) across California. With two student representatives from most regions, the expanded cohort strengthens geographical representation, ensuring every part of the state has a voice. The new Request for Admittance process also allows returning members to bring their experience back to the table, further enriching the board’s work.
A core focus of Cohort 3 is the Speak and Be Heard: Rhetoric for Transformation Campaign, which centers the voices of Black and marginalized students. This initiative provides a platform for students to share their visions for equitable education and engage in youth participatory action research. By shifting the culture of decision-making and co-creating educational environments that reflect the diverse needs of young people, the campaign works to ensure that marginalized voices are no longer overlooked.
Together, the SSA and Cohort 3 are driving transformation in California’s education system—breaking down barriers, building authentic partnerships, and empowering students to lead change in their schools and communities.
Cohort 1
Youth R-TAC Members Cohort 1: Jai’reecie Jackson (Student), Mekenzie Reid (Student), Didi Okafor (Student), Satoinee Jackson (Student), Kejuan Montgomery (Student), Anjali Pooni (Student), Sydney Lopez (Student), Maria Gonzalez (Parent Leader), and Minister Kesha McGee (Parent leader).
Cohort 2
Youth R-TAC, Cohort 2: Alex Betancourt, Arthur Innes, Ava Swanson, Brysma Rodriquez, Genesis Akinola, Jennai Porras, Jaspreet Sahota, Jordan Perea, Jordan Smith, Julie Farraj, Kai Baca, Laila Zovich, Lillian Alvey, Miner Zhang, Nancy Hernandez, Rhea Sethi, Satoinee Jackson, and Valentin Bautista
Cohort 3
